The IPA conducts research in order to challenge and develop thinking on the future of the workplace, and in particular the involvement and participation of employees. Our research supports our training and consultancy and contributes to the public debate about good work.
The IPA runs in-house research projects and also collaborates with others. We provide research services for clients and members of the IPA.
The IPA's recent research projects
Below are a selection of the IPA's recent research. For more information on our research programme, and how the IPA's research can support your organisation, contact the IPA Research Manager
Hannah Jameson.
Cabinet Office: Public Services Forum Learning and Skills Task Group
Learning and Skills in Adult Social Care
The IPA was commissioned to undertake research into learning and skills in the adult social care sector. Raising skills of the public services workforce is a key element of the Government's approach to public services reform.
This study examines the extent to which adult social care employers are currently using the available workforce development tools of Train to Gain, the Skills Pledge and Apprenticeships to improve workforce skills and career pathways in the adult social care workforce, and the role of the trade unions in supporting this goal. It also considers the impact of the personalisation of adult social care services which are currently taking place as part of the Government’s move to personalise public services as a key strand of public service reform.
You can read a copy of the report
here by visiting the Cabinet Office website.
NHS Social Partnership Review
The IPA conducted the first annual indepent review of the NHS'
Social Partnership Forum (SPF), completed in autumn 2008.
The revitalising of social partnership arrangements in the NHS
through the publication of the Partnership Agreement in March 2007 and
the establishment of the revised Social Partnership Forum, was a major
step forward for the Department of Health, NHS employers and NHS trade unions in
coming to grips wtih the implications for the workforce of change and
reform in the NHS.
You can read a copy of the report here.
ACEVO: The Way Ahead - Trade Unions and the Third Sector
The IPA was asked to conduct research and make recommendations to strengthen the relationship between unions and the third sector. This report assesses the current relationship between the two parties
and outlines the potential for a step-change in dialogue.
Some of the report's recommendations include:
• Acevo should work with stakeholders to develop a national strategy for improving HR and ER as a matter of priority
• Individual unions should re-examine their “offers” to third sector
employees to ensure they reflect the variety of their aspirations and
needs
• Unions and the third sector should consider together those issues on which a joint approach to government would pay dividends
• Government should signal its support for engagement between unions
and the third sector, and facilitate dialogue towards this end
You can purchase a copy of the report
here by visiting the ACEVO website.
