Overview
Diane has taken a leading role in developing a successful social care research programme and has an excellent record of accomplishment, attracting research grants totalling over £11 million. Diane has led a successful carer research programme and has an established reputation for completing policy relevant research that has impact. She has led reviews of national policy implementation, including evaluations of the National Carers Strategies in England for the Department of Health and in Wales for the Welsh Government. Diane is a member of the Welsh Government Ministerial Advisory Group on Carers. She has previously acted as a Specialist Advisor on Domiciliary Care to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, House of Commons.
Diane contributes to the development and delivery of the Welsh Government’s Research Infrastructure Support System. As Co-Investigator and Social Care Research Lead for the Wales Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research, she leads initiatives to better integrate research, policy and practice. She is an Advisory Group Member, Wales School for Social Care Research, advising on the strategic direction of the School, and member of the School’s PhD Fellowship Committee. Diane is Deputy Chair for the Welsh Government’s Social Care Research Grants and Fellowship Committees. She has been actively involved in developing opportunities for social care managers and practitioners to undertake applied social care research and recruiting doctoral students to Wales.
Diane is taking forward several research development initiatives including:
- Social Care Innovations Lab (#SCIL)
- UK Meaningful Short Breaks Research and Practice Development Group
Social Care Innovations Lab (#SCIL)
Recognising the importance of public and professional involvement in social care research, #SCIL is an initiative hosted by the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research that is designed to support creative approaches to research development and knowledge exchange. #SCIL is underpinned by three key principles that are essential to generating robust research evidence that informs the realisation of policy and practice objectives – involving, innovating and improving. Acting as a connecting hub, #SCIL also facilitates knowledge exchange between people, enabling them to share ideas and evidence that contributes towards the achievement of well-being outcomes, continual professional development and quality improvement of services
Meaningful short breaks for carers and people with complex care needs
Building on an established carer research programme at Bangor, the meaningful short breaks research stream is addressing an area of international concern as policy makers and practitioners seek to develop flexible approaches to service provision that support positive, sustainable caring relationships. Having mapped the evidence base for short breaks for carers for older people (https://www.sharedcarescotland.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/05615-Shared-Care-Scotland-research-report.pdf), current research projects include Co-creating, Commissioning and Delivering Meaningful Short Breaks – integrating research, policy and practice funded by the Welsh Government. Diane has played a key role in establishing a UK-wide Short Breaks Research and Practice Development Group that is shaping a future research agenda and supporting capacity building and research excellence in an under-researched area. The Group acts as the UK link for the International Break Exchange Network.
Diane is involved in several social care projects addressing how to improve the quality of care and services. These projects address some of the key principles underpinning the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, including multiagency working, voice and control and prevention and early intervention:
- Multi-agency working – The application of systems thinking approaches to support the development of integrated care services for adults with complex care needs involves a systematic review of the evidence base and collaborative working with a local authority to develop be-spoke recommendations for their organisation.
- Multi-agency working - Rewriting Scripts: Promoting multi-disciplinary teams for users of methadone prescription programmes involves a policy evaluation and interviews with key stakeholders.
- Prevention and early intervention – Night Owls: exploring unscheduled care at night involves a scoping review, theanalysis of routinely collected data on an innovative service (providing unscheduled support during the night-time to relieve pressure on the 999 service) and interviews with older people. Outputs include be-spoke satisfaction and outcomes tools.
- Voice and control – Everyday lives: exploring the experiences of people with a learning disability in the early stages of the new Social Services and Wellbeing Act (2014) Wales involves a systematic review and narrative interviews with people living with a learning disability and their families as well as key professionals in the statutory and independent sectors.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
I welcome the opportunity to supervise PhD work that addresses social care issues as they relate to older people, including those living with dementia, their un-paid carers and those employed in the social care sector. I particularly welcome qualitative or mixed-methods studies about:
- Assessment and support planning for people with complex care needs and their un-paid carers
- Meaningful short breaks (sometimes called respite care) that support positive, sustainable caring relationships
- Experiences and support needs of un-paid carers in employment or in higher education
- Ways to help individuals achieve personal well-being outcomes, with a focus on:
- Voice and control
- Prevention and early intervention
- Co-production of services
- Integrated, multi-agency working
- Ways to help individuals achieve personal well-being outcomes, with a focus on:
- Nursing and residential care home provision
Publications
2023
- E-pub ahead of printSupporting social connection for people living with dementia: lessons from the findings of the TRIO study
Prendergast, L., Toms, G., Seddon, D., Jones, C., Anthony, B. & Edwards, R. T., 28 Feb 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Working with Older People. 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2022
- PublishedBeyond social prescribing - the use of social return on investment (SROI) analysis in integrated health and social care interventions in England and Wales: a protocol for a systematic review
Hopkins, G., Winrow, E., Davies, C. T. & Seddon, D., 30 Oct 2022, MedRxiv, (MedRxiv).
Research output: Working paper › Preprint - E-pub ahead of printCultural and societal motivations for being informal caregivers: a qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis
Zarzycki, M., Morrison, V., Bei, E. & Seddon, D., 9 Feb 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Health Psychology Review. 30 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review - PublishedHow Culture Shapes Informal Caregiver Motivations: A Meta-Ethnographic Review
Zarzycki, M., Seddon, D., Bei, E., Dekel, R. & Morrison, V., Aug 2022, In: Qualitative Health Research. 32, 10, p. 1574-1589 16 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review - E-pub ahead of printInformal caregiver motivations, values, challenges and gains: A photovoice and interpretative phenomenological analysis of interrelationships
Zarzycki, M., Seddon, D. & Morrison, V., 27 Oct 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Health Psychology. 15 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPlanning, commissioning, and delivering bespoke short breaks for carers and their partner living with dementia: challenges and opportunities
Caulfield, M., Seddon, D., Williams, S. & Jones, C. H., Jul 2022, In: Health and Social Care in the Community. 30, 4, p. e1255-e1267
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - E-pub ahead of printUnderstanding Break Needs, Break Experiences and Break Outcomes over the Care-giving Career: A Narrative Approach
Caulfield, M., Seddon, D., Williams, S. & Jones, C. H., 19 Sep 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: British Journal of Social Work. 19 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUnderstanding the added social value of community-based day support: a social return on investment analysis of the TRIO scheme for people living with dementia, their family/ friend carers, and staff
Prendergast, L., Toms, G., Seddon, D., Anthony, B., Jones, C. & Edwards, R. T., 7 Jul 2022.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review - E-pub ahead of printWhy do they care? A qualitative systematic review and meta-synthesis of personal and relational motivations for providing informal care
Zarzycki, M., Seddon, D., Bei, E. & Morrison, V., 6 Apr 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Health Psychology Review. 33 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - E-pub ahead of print‘It was just – everything was normal’: outcomes for people living with dementia, their unpaid carers, and paid carers in a Shared Lives day support service
Prendergast, L., Toms, G., Seddon, D., Edwards, R. T., Anthony, B. & Jones, C., 18 Jul 2022, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Aging and Mental Health.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2021
- PublishedMaking personalised short breaks meaningful: a future research agenda to connect academia, policy and practice
Seddon, D., Miller, E., Prendergast, L., Williamson, D. & Cavaye, J., 2 Jun 2021, In: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSocial care: research, policy and practice in Wales
Seddon, D., Toms, G. & Verity, F., 22 Mar 2021, Social Policy for Welfare Practice in Wales.. Gwilym, H. & Williams, C. (eds.). Third ed. Birmingham, UK: The British Association of Social Workers. , p. 19-34
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review - PublishedWhat a difference a break makes: a vision for the future of short breaks for unpaid carers in Wales
Seddon, D., Andrews, N., Hatch, S. & Cubbage, K., 3 Sep 2021, 38 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
2020
- PublishedGetting back to life after stroke: Co-designing a peer-led coaching intervention to enable stroke survivors to rebuild a meaningful life after stroke
Masterson Algar, P., Burton, C., Seddon, D., Hoare, Z., Morrison, V., Arthur, C., Elghenzai, S., Williams, S. & Radford, K., May 2020, In: Disability and Rehabilitation. 42, 10, p. 1359-1372
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedImplementing, researching and evaluating a Wales-wide arts in residential care programme: Reflections from the cARTrefu programme.
Algar-Skaife, K., Seddon, D., Barr, K. & Lord, S., 1 Oct 2020, In: FPOP Bulletin. 152, p. 12-19 8 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
2019
- PublishedShort Breaks for carers: a scoping review
Seddon, D. & Prendergast, L., Sep 2019, 49 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
2016
- PublishedImproving Skills and Care Standards in the Support Workforce for Older People: A Realist Synthesis of Workforce Development Interventions
Williams, L., Rycroft-Malone, J., Burton, C., Edwards, S., Fisher, D., Hall, H., McCormack, B., Nutley, S., Seddon, D. & Williams, R., 30 Apr 2016, In: Health Services and Delivery Research. 4.12
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedImproving skills and care standards in the support workforce for older people: a realist synthesis of workforce development interventions
Williams, L., Rycroft-Malone, J., Burton, C. R., Edwards, S., Fisher, D., Hall, B., McCormack, B., Nutley, S. M., Seddon, D. & Williams, R., 31 Jul 2016, In: BMJ Open. 6, 8
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2015
- PublishedImproving skills and care standards for the support workforce in health and social care services for older people: a realist synthesis of evidence
Rycroft-Malone, J., Burton, C. R., McCormack, B., Nutley, S., Seddon, D. & Williams, L., 30 Mar 2015.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper - PublishedImproving skills and care standards in the support workforce: a realist synthesis of workforce development interventions
Seddon, D., Rycroft-Malone, J., Burton, C. R., Williams, L., Edwards, S., Fisher, D., Hall, H. E., McCormack, B., Nutley, S. & Seddon, D. W., 9 Sep 2015.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper - PublishedThe Influence of Child Sexual Abuse on the Self from Adult Narrative Perspectives
Krayer, A. M., Gwilym, H. M., Krayer, A., Seddon, D., Robinson, C. A. & Gwilym, H., 6 Mar 2015, In: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. 24, 2, p. 135-151
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2014
- PublishedCarer assessment: continuing tensions and dilemmas for social care practice
Robinson, C. A., Seddon, D. & Robinson, C., 22 Sep 2014, In: Health and Social Care in the Community. 23, 1, p. 14-22
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedFrom rhetoric to reality: stakeholders’ involvement in realist synthesis
Burton, C. R., Rycroft-Malone, J., Hall, H. E., McCormack, B., Nutley, S., Seddon, D. & Williams, L., 27 Oct 2014.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper - PublishedImproving skills and care standards in the support workforce for older people: a realist review
Rycroft-Malone, J., Burton, C. R., Hall, B., McCormack, B., Nutley, S., Seddon, D. & Williams, L., 30 May 2014, In: BMJ Open. 2014, 4, p. e005356
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2013
- PublishedCare coordination: translating policy into practice for older people
Krayer, A. M., Seddon, D., Krayer, A., Robinson, C. A., Woods, R. T. & Tommis, Y., 30 May 2013, In: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults. 2
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2012
- PublishedAdult survivors and their families: current needs and service responses
Krayer, A. M., Gwilym, H. M., Seddon, D., Krayer, A., Robinson, C. A., Gwilym, H., McKeown, G. & Hodrien, C., 1 Jan 2012, Unknown Publisher.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
2011
- PublishedCarers for people with mental health problems: needs assessment to service provision
Krayer, A. M., Gray, B. J., Robinson, C. A., Seddon, D., Krayer, A., Tommis, Y., Roberts, A. & Gray, B., 1 Jan 2011, Unknown Publisher.
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
2010
- PublishedPatterns of exclusion of carers for people with mental health problems - the perspectives of professionals.
Gray, B., Robinson, C. A., Seddon, D. & Roberts, A., 1 Dec 2010, In: Journal of Social Work Practice. 24, 4, p. 475-492
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUnified Assessment: Policy, Implementation and Practice
Seddon, D., Robinson, C. & Perry, J. K., 1 Jan 2010, In: British Journal of Social Work. 40, 1, p. 207-225
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2009
- PublishedA Study of the Carers Strategy (2000): Supporting Carers in Wales.
Seddon, D., Robinson, C. A., Tommis, Y., Woods, R. T., Perry, J. & Russell, I. T., 3 Jul 2009, In: British Journal of Social Work. 40, 5, p. 1470-1487
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedAn emotive subject: insights from social, voluntary and healthcare professionals into the feelings of family carers for people with mental health problems.
Gray, B., Seddon, D. & Robinson, C. A., 1 Mar 2009, In: Health and Social Care in the Community. 17, 2, p. 125-132
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUnified Assessment – Policy, Implementation and Practice.
Seddon, D., 1 Jan 2009.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper - PublishedUnified Assessment: from policy to implementation and practice.
Seddon, D., 1 Jan 2009.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper - PublishedWhat works well in community care: supporting older people in their own homes and community networks.
Seddon, D. & Harper, G., 1 Dec 2009, In: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults. 10, 4, p. 8-17
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2008
- Published'Confidentiality smokescreens' and carers for people with mental health problems: the perspectives of professionals
Gray, B. T., Gray, B., Robinson, C. A., Seddon, D. & Roberts, A., 1 Jul 2008, In: Health and Social Care in the Community. 16, 4, p. 378-387
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedInvisible Children: Young Carers of Parents with Mental Health Problems - The Perspectives of Professionals.
Gray, B., Robinson, C. A. & Seddon, D., 1 Nov 2008, In: Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 13, 4, p. 169-172
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2007
- PublishedIn their own right: translating the policy of carer assessment into practice.
Reeves, C. L., Seddon, D., Robinson, C. A., Reeves, C., Tommis, Y., Woods, R. T. & Russell, I. T., 1 Dec 2007, In: British Journal of Social Work. 37, 8, p. 1335-1352
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedInvolving families in care homes: A relationship-centred approach to dementia care
Woods, R. T., Keady, J. & Seddon, D., 15 Sep 2007, Jessica Kingsley Publishers. 144 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Book - PublishedRural-urban differences in the effects on mental well-being of caring for people with stroke or dementia.
Reeves, C. L., Tommis, Y., Seddon, D., Woods, R. T., Robinson, C. A., Reeves, C. & Russell, I. T., 1 Nov 2007, In: Aging and Mental Health. 11, 6, p. 743-750
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2006
- PublishedGuidelines for gynecological cancer - an audit of current network documents in England and Wales.
Leeson, S. C., Edmondson, R. J., Heatley, M. K., Nunns, D., Rollason, T., Reynolds, K., Seddon, D., Whitaker, R. & Kehoe, S., 1 Mar 2006, In: International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 16, 2, p. 470-477
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2005
- PublishedCarers and caregiving in the context of intermediate and continuing care.
Seddon, D., Robinson, C. A., Roe, B. (ed.) & Beech, R. (ed.), 1 Jan 2005, Intermediate and Continuing Care: Policy and Practice. 2005 ed. Blackwells, p. 237-248
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
2004
- PublishedSupporting carers in paid employment: developing a needs-led approach.
Seddon, D., Robinson, C. A., Bowen, S. & Boyle, M., 1 Jun 2004, In: Quality in Ageing. 5, 1, p. 14-23
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2003
- PublishedOlder people with a sensory impairment: the assessment and management of care.
Robinson, C. A., Seddon, D., Webb, V., Hill, J. & Soulsby, J., 1 Jan 2003, In: Quality in Ageing. 4, 1, p. 22-31
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2002
- PublishedCommitted to caring: carer experiences following the admission of a relative into nursing or residential care.
Seddon, D., Jones, K. & Boyle, M., 1 Jan 2002, In: Quality in Ageing. 3, 3, p. 16-26
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe experience of caring for older people with dementia in a rural area: using services.
Wenger, G. C., Scott, A. & Seddon, D., 1 Feb 2002, In: Aging and Mental Health. 6, 1, p. 30-38
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2001
- PublishedCarers of older people with dementia: assessment and the Carers Act.
Seddon, D. & Robinson, C. A., 1 May 2001, In: Health and Social Care in the Community. 9, 3, p. 151-158
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2022
- online seminar sharing the research process and Cruse report
Effective partnership working to deliver pre bereavement support for feelings of loss and grief along the journey with dementia
Cruse Bereavement Support Cymru, have been supporting people affected by dementia with feelings of loss along the journey with dementia, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society Cymru through their innovative project funded by Gwent Integrated Care Funding until March 2022.
Following on from the success of the first project of the partnership, Bereaved by Dementia, which supported people with dementia and their families following a bereavement, this new project has its focus on improving access to pre-bereavement support.
The webinar will share how the training was developed and the benefits of working together to offer innovative support to people during Covid-19. The session will also include stories and discussions with volunteers and clients including Teresa Davies and Margaret Carmen who worked with the partners to share the importance of discussing loss and grief openly after a diagnosis or death of loved on with dementia. Bangor University’s research team, led by Dr Catrin Hedd Jones, conducted an independent evaluation of the project and will be sharing the report at the event.
15 Mar 2022
Links:
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Media article or participation (Contributor)
2013
- Supporting carers for people with mental health problems: the caring journey.
Invited presentation ESRC seminar: Carers in the 21st century - developing the evidence base
3 Jun 2013
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Adult survivors & their families: current needs & service responses
Invited presentation: Bradford Specialist Sexual Violence & Abuse Advisory Group, Emerging Science and voices. A conference exploring recovery opportunities & evidenced outcomes.
23 Jan 2013
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
2010
- Unified Assessment in Wales: older people with complex needs & their families
New frontiers in caring: 2010 and beyond. 5th international carers conference.
9 Jul 2010 – 11 Jul 2017
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
Projects
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Embedding and sustaining creatiity in social care practice with older people
01/01/2022 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)
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KESS II MRes with Anglesey County Council- BUK2192
01/04/2020 – 30/04/2023 (Finished)
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01/05/2019 – 30/06/2022 (Finished)
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Shared Care Scotland Scoping Review: Short Breaks for Carers
01/02/2019 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)
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KESS II MRes with Cyngor Gwynedd- BUK2151
01/12/2018 – 30/09/2020 (Finished)
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KESS II PhD project with Mencap Cymru BUK243
01/07/2016 – 31/07/2020 (Finished)
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Infrastructure for Social Care Research (extension)
01/04/2015 – 29/09/2016 (Finished)
Links:
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Explore the experience of Huntingdon's Disease.
05/11/2012 – 04/11/2013 (Finished)
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Gwent Carers Support Evaluation
01/04/2011 – 30/06/2012 (Finished)
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Adult survivors and their families: current needs and service response
31/03/2010 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)
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Unified Assessment Process In Wales
31/03/2008 – 30/10/2011 (Finished)
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Word - Carers Strategy In Wales
01/03/2003 – 01/10/2009 (Finished)