Respectful, responsive and relational: a mixed-methods qualitative study on how to define, evidence and improve social care in Scotland

This report shares the findings from an academic research project conducted through an ESRC Policy Fellowship with the Social Care Analytical Unit, Scottish Government during 2022-2023. Embedding an academic researcher in government sought to bring academic expertise on a priority policy issue and to facilitate knowledge exchange and partnership-building between policy and academia. The aim of the research was to explore how evidence-informed understandings of 'good' social care are embedded into the design, implementation and continued improvement of the National Care Service. The project was co-designed with policy and analytical colleagues at Scottish Government to maximise its usefulness and impact across policy areas. This report presents the combined findings from a mixed-methods qualitative study, using individual interviews and creative research workshops to develop a model that explains how 'good' social care in Scotland can be defined, evidenced and improved. A video summary of the project is also available. The project contributes to the developing evidence base for the National Care Service with a focus on how we understand, evidence and improve good practice in social care to inform policy making.