Research Assistant - SOLUTIONS Trial

We are looking for an experienced researcher to join our delivery team within the research and development department at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. The role is focused on recruitment and engagement to an exciting ongoing research study (The Solutions Trial - https://youthendowmentfund.org.uk/funding/who-we-fund/lancashire-and-south-cumbria-nhs-foundation-trust/ ) within the liaison and diversion service and broader settings across England.

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), forms part of the contextual safeguarding agenda and has been identified as a strategic priority by the Children’s Safeguarding and Assurance Partnership (CSAP) in Lancashire. The liaison and diversion service is provided by LSCFT in 12 custody suites across Lancashire and Cumbria. There has been little research undertaken because child criminal exploitation is a relatively new and emerging area of safeguarding practice. The Solutions trial aims to test out whether offering these children and young people a psychological treatment called Brief Solution Focused Therapy is helpful. Brief Solution Focused Therapy is a short-term therapy that helps people to change by focusing on building solutions rather than getting stuck thinking about problems.

The post-holder will work in the LSCFT Research & Development Department, which is based at the Lantern Centre in Preston. Recruitment will take place primarily across Lancashire and other sites in the Northwest and involves

working with the liaison and diversion team, safeguarding teams and police custody suites. The post-holder will have a good grasp of research skills related to participant recruitment, and qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. They will be required to travel to NHS sites and utilize communications skills to engage staff and patients.

Children and young people who come into contact with the police often need help. Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), forms part of the contextual safeguarding agenda and has been identified as a strategic priority by the Children’s Safeguarding and Assurance Partnership (CSAP) in Lancashire. The liaison and diversion service is provided by LSCFT in 12 custody suites across Lancashire and Cumbria. There has been little research undertaken because child criminal exploitation is a relatively new and emerging area of safeguarding practice. The Solutions trial aims to test out whether offering these children and young people a psychological treatment called Brief Solution Focused Therapy is helpful. Brief Solution Focused Therapy is a short-term therapy that helps people to change by focusing on building solutions rather than getting stuck thinking about problems.

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including tho

se with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups. If you’d like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT support 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 and flexi-time.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Farah Lunat Job title: Research Operations Manager Email address: farah.lunat@lscft.nhs.uk Telephone number: 07790387718