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• School of Social and Political Studies

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The Child Welfare Research Group (CWRG) is a group of social work academics in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh committed to the advancement of knowledge and the development of practice.

The Child Welfare Research Group is concerned to advance research that directly bears on the lives of families who are involved with social work services. Our research, whilst rooted in the Scottish experience, is of UK, European and international significance.  It provides a platform for comparative study.

The CWRG was established in 2006, building on the tradition of furthering research capacity in social work begun at the University nearly a hundred years ago. Our research attracts funding from a variety of sources including Scottish Local Authorities, government and European Funding. We offer a thought-provoking research environment encompassing seminars, visiting academics and practitioners, and associated researchers.  Our PhD students are a vital component of this lively environment.

The CWRG has links with the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, the Criminal Justice Social Work Development Centre and the Centre for Learning in Child Protection (CLiCP) at the University of Edinburgh. We have long standing relationships with the voluntary and statutory sectors and direct engagement with government, and public and charitable bodies.

Details of our research activities are available on our research page.

Our Principles

• We place children and their families at the centre of what we do.
  
• We recognise the importance and impact of poverty and social inequalities in the lives of many of the children and families engaged with social work services.
  
• We are committed to the inter-connection of research, policy and practice.
  

Our Aims and Objectives

• Our core aim is to advance and disseminate high quality research and commentary on public child welfare and social work services.
• Our objectives are to:
• Influence strategic policy and planning.
• Contribute to service development and evaluation.
• Build research capacity.
• Disseminate contributions to the development of good practice.

Our web pages contain information on the people working in the centre as well as our recent research projects and publications.  You can also contact us.