Developing evidence across system boundaries

Evidence partnership enquiries

A defined evidence partnership may explore a cross-system research question and how lived-experience expertise could inform its design and interpretation. Scope, role and any output require separate agreement and depend on the evidence, participation safeguards, independence and capacity.

• Identify the question and intended decision context
• Consider methods, available evidence and limitations
• Interpret evidence with consent and participation safeguards
• Translate supported findings for policy and governance audiences

Evaluation with a lived experience lens

Evaluation questions may examine whether connected policy, services or handovers are accessible, safe, dignified and responsive from the perspective of people affected by them. Any NLEC role is by agreement and depends on the question, evidence, independence requirements and available safeguards.

Ethics, safety and participation

Lived experience research requires clear consent, safeguarding, confidentiality, accessibility and remuneration arrangements. NLEC does not replace a university ethics committee or statutory approval process.

Evidence for institutional decisions

Research findings are most useful when their intended decision context is explicit. Analysis should identify what the evidence supports, interpret limitations, and translate supported conclusions into governance implications or reform options without overstating them. NLEC’s role complements specialist peaks and researchers; it does not replace their expertise or ethics and approval responsibilities.