The independent review into children’s social care has established two advisory boards to support the work of the review.

Chair of the independent review Josh MacAlister confirmed that he has established an Evidence Group, made up of academics and other experts in the field and a Design Group, made up of a range of individuals from across local government, policing, the judiciary, health, education and other areas. Both groups will support the Experts by Experience Board, already fully established and which has met three times already and is providing invaluable input into the review.

Josh MacAlister said: “It is also important that the review gets advice and input to ensure our work is well evidenced and so that we design recommendations that can be successfully implemented. That’s why I am pleased to share that in addition to the Experts by Experience Board, the review will be supported by two advisory groups. These groups will bring together considerable experience from professionals delivering the current children’s social care system, politicians from different political backgrounds and researchers from a range of disciplines. These groups will provide invaluable advice to the review in the months ahead.”

The Experts by Experience Board will be supported by an Evidence Group, made up of academics and other experts in the field, to ensure the review is incorporating the most appropriate research. The review will also be supported by What Works for Children’s Social Care, which will support the review by producing and commissioning evidence summaries, rapid reviews and new analysis.

Mr MacAlister has also set up a Design Group, made up of a range of individuals from across local government, policing, the judiciary, health, education and other areas which will have a very important role to play in guiding how the review designs its recommendations. This is because it is important that in designing the recommendations the review understands the perspectives of those currently delivering the system as well as individuals who are not part of the system but can bring differing perspectives relevant to reforming it.

“Both groups will meet for the first time by the end of April to help shape the review in its early stages. To ensure the perspective of lived experience runs throughout all of the discussions in these groups, two members of the Experts by Experience Board will sit on each group,” said Mr MacAlister.

The review will also engage widely across the children’s social care workforce and leadership to hear their views over the course of the review and further details will follow.