The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services (IRISS) has three programmes through which it delivers its work: evidence-informed practice, innovation and improvement, and knowledge media. This is a research paper, which examines attitudes, approaches, use and barriers to innovation and improvement and evidence-informed practice in the sector, which could be used as a baseline for future research to track and monitor attitudinal change. The objectives of the research were to: provide a baseline for two workstreams (innovation and improvement and evidence-informed practice) to understand attitudes and approaches to innovation and improvement and evidence-informed practice; provide a baseline for future research to understand attitudinal trends over the forthcoming three years; provide a detailed understanding of the current status of the social services sector in Scotland in the use of evidence-informed practice, innovative practices and making improvements to services; provide insights into barriers that stop individuals from innovating and improving services; and highlight areas where IRISS programmes could influence or make an impact.
