Job summary Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT) is seeking to appoint a Senior Research Assistant to support the delivery of an NIHR funded trial Empowered Together (coordinated social care in prison): A feasibility and definitive randomised controlled trial, with embedded realist informed process evaluation.This is an opportunity to have a key role in a new NIHR funded research trial led by Dr Louise Robinson and Dr Katrina Forsyth The post holder will contribute to project management andco-ordinating the trial, as well as conducting telephone/online interviews with prison staff, and travelling to prisons to conduct face to face interviews with both prisoners and staff.The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Empowered Together in reducing the unmet social care needs of men in prison and explore what aspects of Empowered Together work, in what circumstances and why. The study is sponsored by LSCft in partnership with the University of Manchester (UoM).The Senior Research Assistant will be involved in project management, participant recruitment, data collection, analysis and write up. This post is offered at 100% FTE for 18 months initially andup to 5 years total. The successful candidate would start as soon as feasible.. LSCFT encourages flexible working. We would consider varied working patterns Main duties of the job Empowered Together (co-ordinated social care in prison): A feasibility and definitive randomised controlled trial, with embedded realist informed process evaluation.is funded by the National Institute for Health Research's 'Programme for Applied Research. It aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Empowered Together in reducing the unmet social care needs of men in prison and explore what aspects of Empowered Together work, in what circumstances and why. The study is sponsored by Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCft) and delivered in partnership with the University of Manchester (UoM). The main duties of the post-holder will be to contribute to the day-to-day operation of the Empowered Together study, under the guidance of Chief Investigators Dr Louise Robinson (LSCft) and Dr Katrina Forsyth and (UoM). The post holder will work in partnership with the research team at UoM to set up the study, conducting telephone interviews with prison staff, and travel to prisons to conduct face to face study interviews with both prisoners and staff. The Senior Research Assistant will be involved in participant recruitment, data collection, analysis and write up. This post is offered at 100% FTE for 18 months initially and up to 5 years total. The estimated start date is 1st February 2025. Key relationships About us Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages 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, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT Date posted 11 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year Per Annum Contract Fixed term Duration 18 months Working pattern Part-time Reference number 351-CS2682-MC-B Job locations Empowered Together Project Preston PR2 8DW Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role. Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role. Person Specification Qualifications Essential oGood honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent) with some knowledge of the subject area oEvidence of relevant post qualification study at postgraduate level or equivalent knowledge Knowledge Essential oDemonstrable knowledge of research design and methods including an understanding of the analytical process oKnowledge and understanding of research governance regulations and guidance and associated good clinical practice Experience Essential oExperience conducting research in mental health oExperience of a qualitative computer packages (eg nVIVO) oCapacity to manage complex, sensitive and highly confidential information oThe ability to undertake qualitative research including recruitment, data collection and analysis Person Specification Qualifications Essential oGood honours degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent) with some knowledge of the subject area oEvidence of relevant post qualification study at postgraduate level or equivalent knowledge Knowledge Essential oDemonstrable knowledge of research design and methods including an understanding of the analytical process oKnowledge and understanding of research governance regulations and guidance and associated good clinical practice Experience Essential oExperience conducting research in mental health oExperience of a qualitative computer packages (eg nVIVO) oCapacity to manage complex, sensitive and highly confidential information oThe ability to undertake qualitative research including recruitment, data collection and analysis 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker 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 (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker 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 (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust Address Empowered Together Project Preston PR2 8DW Employer's website https://www.lscft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)