Social Care Research Capacity Building Programme

The programme is a collaboration between Kingston University and King’s College London, working closely with NIHR ARC South London and the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce. 

We have been awarded funding by the NIHR to provide valuable development opportunities for social care staff and their employer organisations to use research in practice.

Aim of the programme

The aim of the programme is to support social care staff working in south London to develop their skills and knowledge so that they can use research in the workplace to improve services. 

Our aim is to build research capacity in both adult and children's social care by supporting successful applicants to engage in a range of research activities. We want to:

• Build research capacity and capability in social care practice, management and leadership 
• Support the use and development of social care research 
• Improve research culture and infrastructure in adult and children’s social care practice, particularly in under-served communities
• Promote greater equality, diversity and inclusion 

If you are successful in your application to the programme, you will be provided with flexible and personalised support to engage in a range of funded research training, learning and development opportunities. Examples include: 

• Designing, delivering and contributing to research, analysis and evaluation relevant to practice 
• Access to mentorship or advice drop-in clinics 
• Opportunities for peer learning from a community of award holders 
• Championing research or implementing evidence in social care practice
• Career development and training, such as undertaking an independent work-based project or research project
• Opportunities to consult with ARC South London’s Public and Patient Engagement and Involvement Research Panel  
• Mentorship to become practitioner academic research leaders

Funding for employers

Funding of up to £9,000 is also available for employers to enable them to release staff to engage in research activities. See our information sheet for more details.

Applicants should work in the south London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Wandsworth, Southwark or Sutton and be directly employed by organisations providing social care. 

See information sheet for more details.

Criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Learning plan or proposal to build research capacity in an underserved social care community in south London
• Awards will be prioritised from those working with underserved communities and those from diverse ethnic backgrounds 
• Employer’s written confirmation of their support 

The closing date for applications is 9.00am on 8 July 2024. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by the 31 July.

Please read the full information sheet for applicants and employers before applying. 

Access the application form here

You can download this form to draft your application.  However, please submit your application on the online form only. 

For further information on the Social Care Research Capacity Building Programme, email Maria Brent at SHARE@kingston.ac.uk to arrange an informal discussion.

Join our workshops

We are holding two online workshops for anyone who would like to find out more about the programme. To book your place, email: SHARE@kingston.ac.uk

• Wednesday 29 May, 12.30 to 1.30pm Link to MS teams meeting
• Thursday 6 June 11.30am to 12.30pm Link to MS Teams meeting

Read more

• Social care capacity building programme (SHARE)
• NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce