CSP092: NIHR ENRICH Delivery in Local Clinical Research Networks 

1.1. Section C.17.1.7 of the NIHR CRN Performance and Operating Framework 2022/23 requires Local Clinical Research Networks (LCRNs) to adhere to national systems, Standard Operating Procedures and operating manuals in respect of research delivery as specified by the National CRN Coordinating Centre. This document is issued in support of these requirements to give LCRNs initial guidance in regards to the expanded criteria for NIHR CRN support and delivery of the NIHR ENRICH Network. 

1.2. The NIHR 'Enabling Research in Care Homes' (ENRICH) Network supports UK care home staff to understand what 'research' is, the benefits it brings and how they can get involved in research. The ENRICH Network brings together care home staff, residents and their families, and researchers. It enables them to take up opportunities for research and supports researchers in setting up and running studies. The ENRICH Network is a collaboration between the Clinical Research Network (CRN) and the School for Social Care Research (SSCR). The SSCR oversees the ENRICH website and the CRN supports the Network of care homes to undertake research and support delivery.

2.1. To join the ENRICH Network, care homes are required to complete a sign-up/registration form. This can be done digitally by the care homes themselves  via the ENRICH website, or via a paper copy and added digitally by a LCRN Team. 

2.2. The data from these forms, once submitted, form a National ENRICH Awesome Table Database, providing a picture of care home engagement across all LCRNs. LCRNs are expected to keep this database up to date, including amending care home details during the recertification process.

2.3. LCRNs should refer to the NIHR ENRICH Data Management Standard Operating Procedure to ensure adherence to national and local sign up, recertification and data management processes. 

3.1. LCRNs should ensure local representation at national ENRICH Meetings.

3.2. LCRNs should work with key stakeholders in order to understand care home research activity in development and provide appropriate advice to ensure that the CRN is able to respond to and accommodate care home studies feeding into the portfolio pipeline. 

3.3. LCRNs should promote the NIHR ENRICH Network using nationally developed resources and templates located on the NIHR ENRICH Communications Toolkit. 

 3.3.1 Promote ENRICH and Join Dementia Research (JDR) to relevant local stakeholders, including care homes and residents.

 3.3.2. Identify opportunities to engage and promote research across wider health and care settings.

3.4. LCRNs should develop local resources and ensure that these are in line with national ENRICH branding (see NIHR ENRICH Communications Toolkit).  

LCRNs are encouraged to undertake the following activities to support the delivery of research in care homes as well as the ENRICH Network. Please refer to national ENRICH Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 

4.1. Undertake mapping as appropriate of local NHS, local authority and private sector care homes and care home networks, developing a plan for engagement. 

4.2. Develop a support plan for study delivery in care homes including the Study Support Service offer for care homes. 

4.2.1. ENRICH Leads should work in partnership with the Study Support Service and Research Delivery Teams to provide advice and to troubleshoot difficulties that arise when working with care homes to deliver research.

4.2.2. ENRICH Leads should support the identification of suitable sites for studies, and facilitate the setting of realistic targets for recruitment for individual sites.

4.2.3. Develop local payment mechanisms to ensure costs for delivery support can be reimbursed.

4.2.4. Ensure all local activity is captured on the ENRICH study tracker (early contact and engagement conversations, study set-up and Chief Investigator (CI) support).

4.2.5. Complete a new study form for all new studies and update as new information is supplied.

4.2.6.  Promote studies within the ENRICH LCRN Community. 

4.3. Undertake scoping activities to assess the care home portfolio pipeline in wider areas locally and ensure sufficient funds are allocated to deliver the support. 

4.4. Prepare to deliver a significant increase in the number of studies recruiting from care homes and invest in maintaining and supporting the future expansion of the ENRICH network. 

4.5. Contribute local examples for sharing across LCRNs to improve the collective knowledge base for support for study delivery in wider health and care settings.

4.6. Put plans in place for maintaining and further developing the ENRICH care home network. This will include working with the National Coordinator.

4.7. Assess the workforce training and development needs for research delivery professionals working in care homes. 

5.1. Each LCRN is advised to allocate at least one day per week to a member of LCRN staff (ENRICH Lead) to support the management and delivery of the care home research portfolio. 

5.2. A template ENRICH Lead Role Description is available for LCRNs to adapt. 

5.3.  Notify CRNCC Cluster C Office of changes to local ENRICH Leadership and Care Home Research Delivery Support Staff. 

CI: Chief Investigator

CRN: Clinical Research Network

DHSC: Department of Health and Social Care

ENRICH: Enabling Research in Care Homes

JDR: Join Dementia Research

LA: Local Authority

LCRN: Local Clinical Research Network

NIHR: National Institute for Health and Care Research

SOPs: Standard Operating Procedures

SSCR: School for Social Care Research

Version number: 2.0

Effective from date: 1 April 2023