Department of Law and Criminology

Location
Egham

Salary
£40,133 to £47,297 per annum - including London Allowance

Post Type
Full Time

Closing Date
23.59 hours GMT on Monday 18 November 2024

Reference
1024-306

Right to work: Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Full-Time, Fixed-Term (18 months)

Applications are invited for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Law and Criminology. This full-time post is for up to 18 months from January 2025.

The main purpose of this role is to contribute to the work of an NIHR funded project: Improving the analysis of socio-economic context and intersectionality in Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews. This project aims to improve the quality of Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (LCSPRs) by developing an evidence informed understanding of the contribution that the intersectional socio-economic context of children’s lives makes to incidents in which maltreatment results in serious harm or death. 

This post is for a Research Fellow, who will be working as part of a research team. The Principal Investigator is Professor Anna Gupta, with Co-Is - James Blewett (Kings College), Kar Man Au (Family engagement lead) and Guy Skinner (Cambridge University). The team will also be supported by two consultants - Prof. Paul Bywaters (Huddersfield University) and Tim Fisher (East Sussex County Council).

The objectives of the research are:

To identify whether socio-economic factors and intersectionality are addressed in LCSPRs

To identify how the connections between socio-economic factors, intersectionality and other factors are understood and addressed in LCSPRs

To develop and disseminate, in discussion with key stakeholders, recommendations for improving the quality of LCSPRs based on this analysis.

The project will employ a mixed-methods design involving four stages over 18 months. In Stage 1 (months 1-6) a quantitative content analysis of all LSCPRs (c 250) placed in the NSPCC’s open access repository will be undertaken.

In Stage 2 (months 7-12) a qualitative reflexive thematic analysis of LSCPRs will be undertaken, with two sample groups analysed: LCSPRs which were identified as considering intersectional socioeconomic factors and LCSPRs which were identified as not considering intersectional socioeconomic factors in Stage 1.

In Stage 3 (months 13-15) the project team will further analyse the meaning of the findings in consultation with parents with experience of services and relevant professionals.

In Stage 4 (months 16-18) the project team, working with key stakeholders, will develop and publish a report and guidance for future reviewing practice, and hold various dissemination events.

The postholder does not need to reside in the London/South East England area, but will need to undertake travel to our central London office for project group meetings, stakeholder and dissemination events.

The post will suit someone who is dynamic, proactive, flexible and can work well as part of a team and independently. Knowledge of the child protection system in England is essential, as is an understanding of the impact of poverty and intersecting structural inequalities on family life. Experience of participatory research with family members with lived experience is highly desirable. The postholder will be involved setting up the study, data collection, analysis, creation of outputs and dissemination activities. Qualitative data collection and analysis experience is also essential.

The post holder will be offered opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills through professional development training opportunities through the university and from the team. Regular team meetings and 1:1 meetings with to P-I and Co-Is will be arranged to support the postholder.> 

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training and Development opportunities
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
• Free parking

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Professor Anna Gupta on anna.gupta@rhul.ac.uk.

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk

Please quote the reference: 1024-306

Closing Date: 23:59, 18 November 2024

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Further details: Job Description & Person Specification