Kerry Merrill

Kerry comes to Interface with over 15 years expertise in designing and delivering research based evaluation across voluntary, public and private sectors. She brings expertise in qualitative and quantitative research and has experience of conducting research with stakeholders including families with complex needs, practitioners’ leaders and managers. Kerry is committed to improving the lives of families and has directed, managed and delivered evaluations for central government departments and agencies to influence policy and practice e.g. Evaluation of Social Work Teaching Partnerships (DfE).  At a local level she has directed and managed process and impact and evaluations Including cost effectiveness studies) for local authorities, voluntary sector, CCGs and local partnerships.

For several years, Kerry worked as a senior manager in an upper tier local authority developing policy and strategy for children, schools and families, including strengthening the strategic partnership infrastructure for early help.

Kerry's most recent projects with Interface include Evaluation of ‘Better Together’ - a programme piloting social workers in school to support early help (Stoke on Trent); Consultancy support and stakeholder engagement to develop a family hub model and service specification for Gloucestershire LA; Family Hubs Feasibility study in Central Bedfordshire and a Review of the Integrated Wellbeing model 0-19 in Stockton on Tees. She is also working with a group of Social Work Teaching Partnerships nationally to develop a draft practice education strategy.

Professional qualifications

Kerry’s qualifications include a BA Soc Sc in Political Science, various business management and leadership qualifications (OU/ILM) and she is an ILM accredited coach.  Kerry has spoken at conferences and has authored numerous published reports for central government.