esented in three distinct sections: Section 1: Executive summary Presents an overview of the key findings and insights from the project. Section 2: Key messages and recommendations Presents the main take-aways from the study. These key messages and recommendations are embedded in the research findings and in steering group meetings and monthly show and tells organised by the Department for Education. Section 3: Main report Details the research process, findings, and conclusion from the study. 6 DfE Project 2A: User research into social worker inputted data to CMS Section 1: Executive summary This report outlines a research project commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE). It addresses point two of the DfE’s data and digital priorities as part of their Children’s Social Care (CSC) Data and Digital Solutions Fund (DDSF): “Improving case management systems (CMS) to reduce burdens on the frontline and support practice.” The aim of the project was to produce evidence to: • help the DfE think about how recording could be made less burdensome and time-consuming for social workers • understand in more detail what information and data social workers are recording, and how social workers’ data recording is impacting their practice • understand more about the value of the information and data that social workers record through their CMS (to them, the children, young people, and families they work with, and to others) • understand whether there might be ways to gather information and data that is of benefit to the wider CSC system in a way that reduces the recording burden on social workers and makes it easier to design CMS that support good social work practice A joint bid to undertake this work was written by Essex County Council, three London Borough Councils - Camden,