The Teeswide Adult Social Care Research Approval Group was formed in response to a Department of Health instruction for Local Authorities to have a system that governs social care research. The system makes sure all the internal and external social care research that is carried out, is reviewed independently to meet ethical standards.

The Department of Health also published a Research Governance Framework which sets out standards and procedures to safeguard those involved in research. 

The group is made up of Middlesbrough Council, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Hartlepool Borough Council and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and has introduced local guidance for people including:

• social and health care professionals
• contracted providers
• independent, community and voluntary sector agencies
• individuals and students planning to undertake research within adult social care.

You can find out more about the Research Approval Group and the research application process by following this link to the Teeswide Adult Social Care Research Approval Group page on the Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council website.