intervention Archives - IHV

Exciting and unique development opportunity with the Institute

Research Associate – Based in North East England

Please note: short closing date due to start date of the study

We are seeking an ambitious, enthusiastic Research Associate, with experience in public health research to support the delivery of the BabyBreathe NIHR Trial in the Newcastle site, to join the Institute of Health Visiting (iHV) for fixed-term period of thirty-nine months. The post is available from October, following successful appointment. The research is grant funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) working within the North East of England.

The Research Associate will be supporting a randomised trial of a postpartum relapse prevention intervention developed through an early phase intervention development study. The post holder will work as part of a team alongside Vicky Gilroy as the Principle Investigator for the Newcastle site from the iHV, supported by a team of experts in smoking cessation and working with the trial manager as part of the Norwich Clinical Trials Unit.

The individual would need to be dynamic, proactive, flexible and have the ability to work independently. They will be required to contribute to all elements of the research, this will include: helping to conduct literature reviews and evidence syntheses; supporting the development of study protocols and materials (e.g. interview topic guides and questionnaires); managing applications for ethical approvals; helping to deliver the training intervention; conducting data collection and analysis; contributing to research write up. Given the mixed-methods nature of the planned research, this post would suit someone with strong and demonstrable qualitative and quantitative research skills.

Key Requirements

Applicants should have a relevant master’s in health or social science, and it is desirable to have completed or near completed a PhD in Health Sciences/Psychology/Public Health/related discipline.

The successful candidate must have experience of collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data. Excellent interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a team remotely and in person, in-depth knowledge of research design and methods relevant to applied health research, the potential to publish in high quality journals and excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.

This role does not meet the eligibility requirements for a tier 2 certificate of sponsorship under UK Visas and Immigration legislation. Therefore, the iHV will not be able to sponsor individuals who require right to work in the UK to carry out this role.

For further details, job description and how to apply

Applications close: anticipated to be midnight 23 September, but applications may close early due to the urgency in commencing this work. Candidates are recommended to apply as soon as possible.

Interviews: 2 October between 11:00 and 14:00 please keep that day clear in your diary.

For further information or an informal conversation about this post please contact Vicky Gilroy [email protected]

Following the collation of evidence for their Evidence-based early-years intervention inquiry , the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee has published their report and is calling on the Government to draw up a new national strategy for early intervention approaches to address childhood adversity and trauma.

The Evidence-based early years intervention Report urges the Government to capitalise fully on the opportunity that early intervention provides to transform the lives of those who suffer adversity in childhood, while also saving long-term costs to Government.

Read iHV written evidence submission to the Early-years intervention and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) inquiry

This is a very important and hugely interesting report which includes the call for secure funding for early interventions and also cites the Institute in one of the recommendations:

Recommendation 9.

The Healthy Child Programme is the only mechanism in place through which all children in England should receive early years practitioner support before the age of five. Its coverage is therefore critical for identifying ACEs and other child development issues early. The Government should review the current provision of the
Healthy Child Programme across England and set out, as part of the new national strategy, a date for achieving complete coverage in the number of children who receive all five mandated health visits. Given existing workforce pressures, the Government must ensure that this required increase in coverage does not negatively impact the quality of health visits. It should consult the Institute of Health Visiting on how this can be managed, and be ready to recruit additional health visitors as required.
(Paragraph 54)

The Committee’s Report identifies examples of early intervention working well around the country, but also the challenges that local authorities and their partners currently face in delivering effective, evidence-based early intervention. It concludes that the overall provision of early intervention in England is fragmented, with varying levels of support, focus on evidence, and success.

The Committee calls for a new national strategy to be drawn up to ensure that the opportunity provided by early intervention—to transform lives and save long-term costs to Government—is seized fully, and by all local authorities in England.