Research Associate

Faculty/Directorate

Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care & Education

School/Function

School of Education, Midwifery & Social Work

Contract type

Fixed Term Contract

Join a multi-disciplinary research team carrying out pioneering research in the field of child welfare.

Recent years have seen a sharp rise in the cost of living that put pressure on the finances of millions of families. This has impacted the health and wellbeing of children and adults, particularly those living in deprived areas and from minoritised groups. Government reports and reviews have accepted that poverty and financial precarity are important drivers of child safeguarding interventions. However, policies that address risks to children by improving material and socio-economic circumstances are rare, and their impact is not often evaluated.

Our Nuffield Foundation funded project aims to address these questions in order to inform social policies that improve families’ financial circumstances and promote children’s welfare. The research is being carried out by Kingston University in partnership with Policy in Practice, the University of Sussex, National Children’s Bureau and Research in Practice.

The post holder will have a crucial role in undertaking the linkage and analysis of administrative data on means-tested benefits and referrals to children’s social care, which are being provided by six participating local authorities. Analysis will focus on the dynamic effects of changes in household income and the cost-of-living on child welfare provision, and the impact of the 2020-21 Universal Credit uplift on referrals to children’s social care, and subsequent interventions.

Central to our study is the involvement of stakeholders with experience of the relationship between financial precarity and child welfare, and their views about the ethical use of data to improve policy and service response.

We are looking for a skilled quantitative analyst with a background in health and social care research and experienced in the collation, cleaning, and analysis of large administrative datasets. The post holder will have a high level of knowledge and experience using statistical software packages such as R and STATA, and possess excellent communication and organisational skills. An understanding of current issues in the UK social care sector, particularly relating to policy and practice in child safeguarding, will be advantageous.

School of Education, Midwifery & Social Work

Individualisation is very important to us at Kingston University’s School of Education, Midwifery and Social Work. For our students that means a philosophy where we go above and beyond to deliver the practical teaching methods that will create the very best educators of tomorrow. For our staff we provide the support they need to enable them to succeed in the different aspects of their role, including teaching, supervision and research. Everyone here enjoys an environment built on innovation where we recruit original thinkers who are motivated to explore new avenues and transform learners’ lives.

This is a part time (29.60 hours per week), fixed term position for 21 months with a starting salary of £34,549.60 per annum (80% pro rata to £43,187 per annum). 

Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 31 January 2024.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Rick Hood .

Bring your true self, expertise, and passion to Kingston where we are continuing to strive to build a university where authentic inclusion and belonging is at its heart. Every one of our staff and students’ identities, backgrounds and diverse experiences makes us who we are - so harness and embrace yours by applying today. We welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and those with disabilities.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme. 

To apply click on ‘Apply Now’. If, for accessibility reasons, you need to apply in an alternative format, please email [email protected]  or call the HR Shared Services team on 020 8417 3118.