IMS - an institute for research and for knowledge dissemination on the effects and values of social work to clients and users
Social services works to provide assistance and support to people who, for a variety of reasons, need the kind of support social work can provide. However, all areas of social services are dogged by shortcomings in knowledge as to how various initiatives work and which methods are the most effective.
The primary task of the Institute for Evidence-Based Social Work Practice, IMS, is to work to promote the constant development of methods and work forms within social services by means of systematic consideration and assessment of the results and effects of social work for clients, users, relatives and society in general. Its objective is for social work to be founded on the best knowledge available in order to promote the best interests of its clients and users.
The work of the IMS includes:
- Providing social services with systematic knowledge reviews (summaries of collective experiences from national and international research) with regard to what works in social work.
- Supporting and implementing studies of social initiatives and structured action programmes. The institute's research work is carried out both on behalf of others and at its own initiative.
- Supporting the development of systematic and standardised methods for assessment of the needs of clients and users and supporting the use of these methods. Such methods include for example assessing individuals' problems with alcohol and drugs, or the support required by elderly people.
- Disseminating information on the results of reviews and studies produced at the Institute and establishing stable networks in order to support evidence-based social services.
Active cooperation with other parties
The IMS actively works together with representatives of clients, users and relatives, as well as with professionals. The institute also works together with decision-makers within social services, various non-profit organisations and state authorities, and with researchers, lecturers and students at universities and university colleges.
Organisation
The IMS was established in 2004 and aims to work with the entire field of social services, including care services for elderly and disabled people. The institute is a development of the former Centre for Evaluation of Social Work. The IMS is affiliated to the National Board of Health and Welfare but is an independent department with its own Board of Directors.
The institute is built up gradually and was officially inaugurated on October 8, 2004.
Knut Sundell
Director
Phone: +46 (0) 75 247 34 09
Fax: +46 (0) 75 247 32 24
knut.sundell@socialstyrelsen.se
cc. Mari Forslund
Coordinator
mari.forslund@socialstyrelsen.se