The Department of Health has today announced a new research initiative on 
the Social Care Workforce. Outline bids must be ready by 13 October. 
Details are:

Department of Health
Policy Research Programme
Invitation to tender: Research on the Social Care Workforce

The Department of Health, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly 
Government invite outline proposals for a major programme of research on 
the social care workforce. The research will focus on all aspects of social 
care, in people’s own homes, in day settings, and in care homes - including 
services for children, adults and older people - and covering both 
statutory and non-statutory sectors. It will examine a wide range of issues 
relevant to the current operation and future development of the social care 
workforce, including: workforce composition, career pathways, recruitment 
and retention, role engineering, training and qualifications and the impact 
of work organisation and the work environment. A range of disciplinary 
perspectives and methodological approaches is strongly encouraged and there 
will be particular interest in studies that compare across national 
jurisdictions.

The full research brief and application form are available on the 
Department of Health Internet site: 
http://www.dh.gov.uk/ProcurementAndProposals/RDCallsForProposals/fs/en or 
email [log in to unmask] quoting “SCW” for automated dispatch of an 
electronic version.

Please email any queries to [log in to unmask] or write to SCW Tender, 
Room 401A, Research and Development Division, Department of Health, Skipton 
House, 80 London Road, London, SE1 6LH. The deadline for receipt of outline 
proposals is 2pm on Wednesday, 13th October, 2004.