Research to be put out to tender

The research arm of the National Institute for Social Work has
been put out to tender in a move to protect the unit’s
independence.

The majority of NISW’s functions will transfer to the new Social
Care Institute for Excellence in the autumn, but the plan is to
keep the research unit at arm’s length from the government-funded
institute. NISW hopes to receive bids from university departments
interested in continuing the independent work of the academic
research unit by the end of July.

Scie will be able to commission work from the successful bidder,
and will also have two or three former NISW researchers based
in-house.

Details on the transfer of staff and functions from NISW to
Scie, and the “orderly closure” of NISW’s business, were delayed by
the general election but chairperson John Ransford is keen to see
the deal sealed by the end of July.

“If it goes on too long, the costs of transition will be too
high for NISW and there will be too much uncertainty for the
staff,” he warned.