NHS Research and Development North West

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ADULT AND CHILDREN’S SOCIAL CARE PRACTITIONER RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

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We are pleased to announce that in October 2023, we started delivering the first Practitioner Researcher Programme for adults and children’s social care across the North West region of England. This innovative and prestigious pilot program provides the first step onto a practitioner researcher pathway.

If you’re curious about the nature of research into practice, have questions you want to answer, or are already engaged in research in a limited way, then this program is for you. Read on!

Please note: If you are employed by the NHS, you are not eligible for this program.

Programme Highlights

In this program, you will:

  • Network: Connect with fellow practitioner researchers.
  • Promote Research: Develop, evaluate, and advocate for practical research and innovation.
  • Skill Growth: Enhance your practice and research skills.
  • Strategic Focus: Explore research aligned with employer needs and wider workforce education.
  • Support and Time: Benefit from academic mentoring and up to 30 days of dedicated research time.
  • Gain Insights: Get an insider’s view of practitioner research.
  • Access Resources: Utilize relevant learning materials.
  • Comprehensive Development: Receive personal and group coaching for holistic growth.

Who it is for

  • Adult social care professionals who are employed by a local authority or a service commissioned by a local authority in the North West of England.
  • Social care professionals registered with Social Work England or the Health and Care Professions Council.
  • Individuals who do not hold prior formal research qualifications such as a Master’s degree by research, MPhil, PhD, or professional doctorate (Note: An MA or MSc in Social Work is not considered a formal research qualification).
  • Professionals who exhibit clear potential for engaging in research that will be of benefit to service users and/or the public. This research potential may encompass a range of areas within the field of social care, including reviews of safeguarding processes, the use of advocates, the promotion of social justice and equality, examination of strategies to increase the stability and numbers of foster carers, and the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Funding

  • Successful recipients will receive up to £4,000 as a personal award, which can be used for various research-related purposes, subject to NHS R&D NW approval.
  • An additional £3,000 is available to the employing local authority for backfill, with retrospective claims required.
  • An extra £1,000 will go to the academic supervisor’s organization to cover supervision costs.
  • All funding is available for 12 months, and unspent funds will return to the program after this period.

How to apply

Applications for this round are now closed.

Check back or stay updated via our newsletter for the new launch.

Additional Details

We are hosting two online Q&A sessions open for anyone interested in learning more about the scheme and seeking answers to their questions, dates TBC.

For additional information please contact
leanne.gregory@researchnorthwest.nhs.uk