The School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR) provides world-class research and innovative degree programmes in social science. SSPSSR is part of the Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice (LSSJ). The Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) and the Tizard Centre are two major research centres, making up a substantial part of the School. The two units are founding members of the NIHR School for Social Care Research.

PSSRU is one of the leading social care research groups in the UK and internationally. The Unit was established at the University of Kent in 1974 and carries out policy and practice social care research with a national and international remit. PSSRU’s research encompasses all aspects of the delivery of social care and produces the annual volumes of Unit Costs of Health and Social Care, which are widely used by policymakers, providers and the research community. Further information about PSSRU is available at www.pssru.ac.uk.

The Tizard Centre is the leading UK academic group working in intellectual disabilities and/or autism and community care, whose research, teaching and consultancy impacts on the quality of services and the quality of life of people with disabilities internationally. Members of the Centre are selected both for their academic record and for their practical experience in services. The Centre is known for its international programme of research and consultancy, and provides a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in intellectual disabilities and/or autism. Further information about the Tizard Centre is available at https://www.kent.ac.uk/social-policy-sociology-social-research/tizard

The NIHR School for Social Care Research (NIHR SSCR) is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research to develop the evidence base to inform and improve adult social care practice in England through research. NIHR SSCR is funding seven PhD studentships based at each of its Core Member sites through a Capacity Development Fund. These studentships will be based at LSE, King’s College London and the Universities of Kent, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and York, and are supported by the NIHR Academy. Further information about the NIHR SSCR is available at www.sscr.nihr.ac.uk.

Funding will be provided for a studentship starting in January 2023, and includes:

• A stipend of £15,500 per year
• Tuition fees paid at the standard UK rate (£4,596 in 2022)
• Up to £10,000 across the three years for reasonable and justified research cost

Deadline: Friday 28th October 2022 (23.59 UTC)

Interviews to be held: Friday 18th November 2022

We are offering one full-time PhD scholarship to be based in the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) and the Tizard Centre in the School of Social Policy and Social Research (SSPSSR), University of Kent. The studentship is funded by the NIHR School for Social Care Research (NIHR SSCR).

The studentship is available on a full time basis only.

The doctoral student will be required to conduct research relevant to adult social care practice in England and in line with the NIHR SSCR’s Business Plan. Particular areas of interest within PSSRU and the Tizard Centre include:

1. Transition in Social care: e.g. Social care needs and quality of life outcomes of adults moving between services and their family carers, and of adults moving from inpatient to community based settings, with a particular focus on the experiences of individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism
2. Physical and emotional well-being: e.g. Supporting health and wellbeing among people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, people with mental health conditions, and their families and staff
3. High quality services for better quality of life outcomes: e.g. Evaluating the impact and costs of implementing person-centred approaches, such as active support, in community-based services for people with intellectual disabilities, autistic people and/or people with dementia
4. Living a full adult life: e.g. Exploring social, leisure and relationships opportunities for adults across all social care groups, with a particular focus on autonomy and the extent to which adults are supported to live fulfilled lives on their own terms.

The successful applicant will be expected to participate in activities organised by NIHR SSCR, particularly activities that involve other PhD students under this programme at other universities, and, as appropriate, other National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and NIHR Academy activities.

The successful applicant will work closely with Professor Karen Jones at PSSRU and Professor Michelle McCarthy among others at the Tizard Centre at the University of Kent.