Job summary
At LSCFT, our social work practice is grounded in our Brilliant Basics framework.This model ensures we excel in four critical areas: Clinical Practice, Leadership, Education, and Research. As the Social Work Research Lead, you will be the driving force behind the Research element of this framework. Your goal is to move beyond standard practice by identifying key priorities for new knowledge and ensuring every intervention we provide is backed by the strongest evidence.
Main duties of the job
Leading the Research Agenda In this role, you won't just oversee projects; you will cultivate a research-active culture that empowers our staff and improves patient outcomes.
You will: Identify & Innovate: Pinpoint gaps in our current knowledge base to deliver better care and support for people accessing our services. Support & Mobilise: Actively support LSCFT social workers with their own research while sharing findings through effective knowledge mobilisation. Collaborate for Quality: Lead quality improvement projects and research into patient experiences to inform person-centred service design. Address Inequalities: Contribute to projects that explore strategies to reduce health inequalities and challenge discrimination within our diverse communities. Key Responsibilities Strategic Partnerships: Effectively link with academic partners (including UCLAN, Lancaster University, and the University of Manchester) to develop high-quality research bids. Grant Leadership: Lead the development and submission of research grant bids, such as NIHR Research for Patient Benefit. Evidence-Based Practice: Inculcate research awareness among social workers to promote a culture of evidence-based practice.
About us
LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.
We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.
LSCFT support flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi-time.
The wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. We offer a wide range of resources, tools and support to help you thrive both in and out of work.
Explore our full wellbeing offer here: Keeping our workforce well
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential
- oSocial Work degree
- oMaster's degree in relevant subject or equivalent knowledge and experience
- oEvidence of continuing professional development related to research and development
Knowledge
Essential
- oNIHR funding options and other potential grant opportunities, e.g. charities, professional associations
- oKnowledge of social work practice within and NHS setting - the challenges, strength and tensions related to practice.
- oQuantitative and qualitative research methods
- oCommunication techniques with hard to reach populations
Experience
Essential
- oExperience of working as an independent researcher
- oExperience of data collection on funded projects relating to mental health
- oWork with people with mental health difficulties
- oKnowledge of clinical services/clinical experience
- oExperience of preparing reports and summarising data
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- oAbility to secure external research funding
- oProject / programme management
- oAbility to produce written work to high standard of accuracy, quality and presentation
- oExcellent communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work across a number of different settings
- oExcellent IT skills including use of Microsoft Office and research software
Other
Essential
- oCreative, innovative, lateral thinker and has an ability to generate solutions
- oAbility to work with people from different backgrounds and of different ages
- oAbility to work well with staff of all grades/disciplines and interact professionally at all times
- oAbility to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances
- oCan achieve a healthy work/life balance and is a positive influence on others around them
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential
- oSocial Work degree
- oMaster's degree in relevant subject or equivalent knowledge and experience
- oEvidence of continuing professional development related to research and development
Knowledge
Essential
- oNIHR funding options and other potential grant opportunities, e.g. charities, professional associations
- oKnowledge of social work practice within and NHS setting - the challenges, strength and tensions related to practice.
- oQuantitative and qualitative research methods
- oCommunication techniques with hard to reach populations
Experience
Essential
- oExperience of working as an independent researcher
- oExperience of data collection on funded projects relating to mental health
- oWork with people with mental health difficulties
- oKnowledge of clinical services/clinical experience
- oExperience of preparing reports and summarising data
Skills and Aptitudes
Essential
- oAbility to secure external research funding
- oProject / programme management
- oAbility to produce written work to high standard of accuracy, quality and presentation
- oExcellent communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work across a number of different settings
- oExcellent IT skills including use of Microsoft Office and research software
Other
Essential
- oCreative, innovative, lateral thinker and has an ability to generate solutions
- oAbility to work with people from different backgrounds and of different ages
- oAbility to work well with staff of all grades/disciplines and interact professionally at all times
- oAbility to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances
- oCan achieve a healthy work/life balance and is a positive influence on others around them
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
