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RCT HDRC support praised as Child Poverty Scrutiny Working Group presents findings
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The Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (RCT HDRC) has been praised for its expertise in supporting evidence-informed decision making, as the Child Poverty Working Group presented its recommendations to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
During the committee meeting on 7 January 2026, members discussed the working group’s innovative approach to gathering, analysing, and using evidence - an approach shaped and facilitated by the RCT HDRC. The Committee commended the significant advisory role the RCT HDRC has played over the past 12 months.
New ways of working
Recommendations were built using a new model of scrutiny adopted by the working group alongside RCT HDRC support, including encouraging direct public participation inviting a member of the public so sit on the working group and the use of the HDRC “Evidence Pie” to gather and consider diverse forms of evidence - including academic research, council data, voluntary sector insights, and lived experience. This approach aims to place community voices at the centre of decision-making while helping elected members develop evidence-informed recommendations.
Key Highlights
Key Highlights from the meeting included the Director of Democratic Services praising the working group’s innovative approach and highlighted how RCT HDRC’s advisory role and input strengthened the process, confirming the intention to replicate this model for future working groups. The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee emphasised how the structured use of evidence shaped the final recommendations. Whilst voluntary sector organisations showed their support for the recommendations identifying them as equal partners and encouraging the inclusion of evidence from the voluntary sector and lived experience voices in the process.
Next steps
The Working Group’s recommendations will be presented to the Council’s Cabinet in the coming weeks. Once published, the RCT HDRC team will share full project details on the Make a Change website.
Contact us:For further information about the HDRC’s work with the Child Poverty Working Group, please contact the HDRC Programme Team: hdrc@rctcbc.gov.uk
The Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (RCT HDRC) has been praised for its expertise in supporting evidence-informed decision making, as the Child Poverty Working Group presented its recommendations to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
During the committee meeting on 7 January 2026, members discussed the working group’s innovative approach to gathering, analysing, and using evidence - an approach shaped and facilitated by the RCT HDRC. The Committee commended the significant advisory role the RCT HDRC has played over the past 12 months.
New ways of working
Recommendations were built using a new model of scrutiny adopted by the working group alongside RCT HDRC support, including encouraging direct public participation inviting a member of the public so sit on the working group and the use of the HDRC “Evidence Pie” to gather and consider diverse forms of evidence - including academic research, council data, voluntary sector insights, and lived experience. This approach aims to place community voices at the centre of decision-making while helping elected members develop evidence-informed recommendations.
Key Highlights
Key Highlights from the meeting included the Director of Democratic Services praising the working group’s innovative approach and highlighted how RCT HDRC’s advisory role and input strengthened the process, confirming the intention to replicate this model for future working groups. The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee emphasised how the structured use of evidence shaped the final recommendations. Whilst voluntary sector organisations showed their support for the recommendations identifying them as equal partners and encouraging the inclusion of evidence from the voluntary sector and lived experience voices in the process.
Next steps
The Working Group’s recommendations will be presented to the Council’s Cabinet in the coming weeks. Once published, the RCT HDRC team will share full project details on the Make a Change website.
Contact us:For further information about the HDRC’s work with the Child Poverty Working Group, please contact the HDRC Programme Team: hdrc@rctcbc.gov.uk
