Social Care
Social care research can change lives by supporting quality of life and independence, and help build a social care system that works for everyone. We provide opportunities for people who use social care services and their families and carers to influence and take part in research.
The NIHR supports service users and the public to participate in high quality research taking place in care, community and health settings across England, advancing knowledge and improving care. Our research recognises the scale, variety and complexity of social care settings in which care is provided in England, such as in residential and nursing homes, in people’s own homes and in other community settings.
Social Care Leads
Ways to begin your path in research
If you work in social care or social work:
Find free events, webinars and join a community of researchers by visiting the School for Social Care Research website.
Learn more about what social care research looks like in social care themed reviews, where you can access research findings expressed in plain English.
Join a supportive community of individuals and organisations in adult social care with an interest in research by signing up to the Social Care Incubator mailing list.
Visit our social care research homepage and learn more.
If you work in public health:
Join a growing community of public health researchers at the School for Public Health Research which offers training and events. Get regular updates about available support by signing up for to School's newsletter.
Find out what Public Health research looks like in our Public Health Themed Reviews where you can access research findings expressed in plain English.
Visit our public health specialty page and learn more.
Internships, fellowships and opportunities:
Browse the available internships and opportunities at NIHR Applied Research Collaborations in your area.
Explore the NIHR Academy Local Authority Academic Fellowship Programme which offers short-term placements for individuals that work in local authorities.
If you would like to find out opportunities to get involved in research contact: supportmystudyeastmidlands@nihr.ac.uk
Resources for people working in Social Care Settings
The videos below highlight two of the studies that we have supported
Carla YPIR Video V2.mp4Craig YPIR video (1).mp4Research For Social Care Funding Call
The NIHR Research for Social Care (RfSC) call is a bi-annual competition specifically for social care proposals.
The aim of the RfSC call is to fund topics and research methodologies that increase the effectiveness of social care services, provide value for money and benefit service users and carers.
RfSC funds research which generates evidence to improve, expand and strengthen the way social care is delivered for users of care services, carers, and the public. For full details, please see the call specification. Individual projects will be funded up to £350,000.
Applications through RfSC should have:
A clear trajectory to immediate and long-term social care benefits.
A strong link with service users, carers and organisations which provide social care services.
A team consisting of social care researchers, professionals/practitioners, carers and service users.
Study Support Service
Study Support Service Lead LCRN Video.mp4The Study Support Service can support with key areas:
Plan
The best time to engage with the Lead LCRN SSS team is as early as possible in the study planning stage, to ensure the study can maximise the NIHR service offerings and ensure the study reaches its full potential.
Place
Strategic site identification and selection is key to delivering high quality research and will optimise study performance.
Perform
Utilising our national network will streamline the initial set-up of your study and we will work with you to monitor the progress of your research against its recruitment target and timelines.
Find out more about the Study Support Service here.
Financial Support
Financial support in agreement with the CRN or sponsors may be available to Social Care for participating in research.
If you are unsure on the financial support available please contact supportmystudyeastmidlands@nihr.ac.uk