The Adoption Research Initiative (ARI) was established to use research findings to inform adoption policy and practice in the UK. The ARI includes 7 large studies on topics like permanency planning and adoption support. Stakeholders from policy, practice, and service users have been engaged throughout the research process. Barriers to using research include lack of time, relevance, and skills to critically evaluate findings. The ARI aims to overcome these barriers through dissemination strategies like briefing papers, training, and conferences. Early research from the ARI on adoption costs has already informed policy discussions, and more impact will be evaluated over time.

1. Using research findings to inform policy and practice: the approach taken in the Adoption Research Initiative ( ARi) Chair: Isabella Craig, Children and Families Analysis and Research, DCSF Caroline Thomas, University of Stirling and Academic Co-ordinator for the ARi Mary Beek, Adoption Team Manager, Norfolk Children’s Services & Professional Adviser to the ARi Mary Lucking, Head of Adoption, Children in Care Division, DCSF Presentation at DCSF Conference: The Use of Evidence in Policy Development and Delivery, 9 February 2010 1