Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an enthusiastic student to work on a qualitative participatory project with parent’s and carers who have been involved in the child protection system.

What is the project about?

The aim of the project is to provide a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with what is currently known to be the only parents’ panel /advisory group in local authority setting across Scotland that seeks to involve parents who have been involved in child protection processes and social work services. This study seeks to identify the necessary mechanisms and steps to establish and effectively support a Parents’ Panel that has a lasting impact on enhancing child welfare and protection services and practices. This knowledge will help the local authority listen and learn from those experts by experience with the aim of changing and improving local systems and practice. It is expected that research outcomes will contribute on a local level, as well as nationally and international sharing knowledge and learning regarding parents’ panels, and how they can contribute to improved outcomes for marginalised children and families.

How will I be supported?

Prior training in qualitative research methods would be welcome but the School of Social and Political Science delivers extensive training in qualitative forms of enquiry. Such training can help any enthusiastic student gain the necessary skills to complete this project. Depending on prior experience, examples of courses a student could take include for example Research Design. Applicants should ideally have some form of social science background and should demonstrate an interest in the substantive topic of the project. The Binks Hub will offer support in visual qualitative data collection and analysis. Available courses include Arts-informed Research Methods in the Social Sciences, Analysing Qualitative Data and Advanced Interview Skills.

Who will supervise me?

The project will be co-supervised by Dr Mary Mitchell, Dr Autumn Roesch Marsh and Kareen Caldwell. The successful applicant will benefit from the wider networks of the supervisory team. Together, the supervisory team will steer the student to both learn from and speak to academic and non-academic audiences interested in this research and capitalise on existing links with relevant national and international organisations. Dr Mary Mitchell is a Senior Lecturer of Social Work, with significant research and practice experience in child welfare and protection. She has extensive experience leading qualitative research on sensitive topics including studies involving children and adult family members who have been involved in child welfare and protection systems. As such Mitchell has experience in manging ethically sensitive research projects. She has experience in leading several collaborative research projects with local authorities and community organisations. Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh is Senior Lecturer of Social Work, with significant research and practice experience in relation to creative and participatory methods and the child welfare and protection system. She has been a child and family social worker and has previously completed studies in collaboration with City of Edinburgh Council including a participatory action research project on children’s participation in their Looked After Reviews. In her role as Lead Co-Director for the Binks Hub she has co-created a portfolio of research projects with community organisations on themes and issues of their choosing using creative and artistic methods. Ms Kareen Caldwell has extensive experience as a social work Team Manager. She provides regular practice supervision with her team, providing expertise and support on the many day to day ethical and practice dilemmas involved in children and families’ social work.

What about the research environment?

By joining the School of Social and Political Science, and more specifically the Social Work subject area, the student will find themselves in a very friendly and collegiate work environment, and part of a cohort of doctoral students working on a variety of topics, some with methodological or substantive links to the project at hand. The School of Social and Political Science is also home to one of the largest hubs of quantitative social scientists in the UK.

Please assure that you complete the additional task as part of your application. Click on this link for more on the instructions and task. 

Each candidate selected for interview will be asked to provide a short input/presentation at the interview, talking through an introductory session with parents engaged with the parents panel- more information will be provided to candidates shortlisted for interview.