University supports social care practitioners - here's how

Published on 8, November, 2024

The University of Sunderland has rolled out a new scheme to support the development of social care practitioners in the north-east and Cumbria.

The Social Care Research Ambassador (SCRA) scheme started as a collaboration between the University and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) North East and North Cumbria Regional Research Delivery Network (RRDN).

Participants complete a university module, which supports them in developing their research experience and skills, before receiving a Certificate of Postgraduate Study in Reflexive Practice Research.

The module is interactive and collaborative. Participants and teachers work together to identify, design and conduct a piece of social care research relevant to the region. They then write a research report that feeds back into practice.

The cohort also learns how the NIHR supports social care research whilst receiving one-to-one supervision. This allows them to reflect on how to incorporate and promote research in their Local Authority, teams and areas of work.

The SCRA scheme provides funding to Local Authorities to allow staff the time to take part in the programme. Leading academics and research professionals deliver the course content and support practitioners on their research journey.

Dr Lesley Deacon, Associate Professor of Practice Research and Vice Chancellor’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Fellow at the University of Sunderland, delivers the module.

She said: “This accredited module allows members to understand and deliver research in a way that makes sense to them. The scheme allows them to build research networks amongst each other and build their confidence - hopefully enabling them to begin delivering research in their own work spaces.”

An event celebrating the SCRA scheme and its achievements so far was recently held by the NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) in Hexham.

It started with a short presentation summarising the aims of the scheme, its development and the progress of the current cohort. After this, the cohort had the opportunity to network and share experiences of the scheme.

Chris Speed, Operations Director for the NIHR North East and North Cumbria RRDN, said: “I am delighted that the Research Delivery Network is supporting the Social Care Research Ambassadors scheme. This iteration sees a new cohort of Ambassadors and a new partnership with the University of Sunderland to deliver elements of the scheme. Whilst we provide the learning environment, it is the practitioners that join us as Ambassadors that bring insight from their real-world experiences and bring the scheme to life.

“As we look to move health and care research away from hospitals and into new settings, it is vital that we invest in the infrastructure to make this happen. At the end of the scheme, we will have another cohort of highly skilled, research ready Ambassadors who will be embedded in their workplace and provide excellent research support and advocacy.”

The current cohort includes members from Sunderland, Cumberland and Newcastle universities and Darlington Borough Council.

Martin Webster from Darlington Borough Council said: “The programme is a great opportunity to focus on research away from the day-to-day pressures of social care, where it can be difficult to set time aside for research.

"By being involved in the scheme, we’re able to support more staff in their learning and understanding of research, which they can share with their colleagues and wider networks. This ultimately benefits our local communities in the future to improve public health via research.”

Lucy Mortimer and Kate Aspray from Newcastle City Council said: “We’ve always been interested in research, but we haven’t had much opportunity to put that interest into practice yet. This scheme provides the space and opportunity away from day-to-day tasks and allows us to actively think about research and what that may look like in practice.

"We’ve learnt interesting things on aspects of social work, and more about the NIHR and their involvement in research. We’re looking forward to taking this knowledge with us to try and push research more in social work within local authorities.”

The SCRA scheme offers both face-to-face learning and an online learning package.

To find out more about the scheme, email clare.aitken@nihr.ac.uk 

For more information about the Reflexive Practice Research course, click here. 

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