Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP)

Transformation Unit; Cambridge, Peterborough; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) is recruiting a Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) at Band 6 for a 21-month fixed-term, part-time role based mainly at Windsor Research Unit in Cambridge. You will work within the R&D team to develop, coordinate and deliver research activity across CPFT and local authority partners.

The post focuses on building research capacity in social care, public health, and community services, liaising with universities and NHS partners,

Qualifications

• Experience in health, social care, Local Authority, or community settings.
• Experience delivering research studies.
• Experience obtaining informed consent.
• Experience with data management and governance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver research activities across CPFT and Local Authority partners.
• Ensure studies are delivered on time and in line with the protocol.
• Provide updates to R&D with performance and recruitment data.
• Support ethical requirements and REC submissions.

Skills

Informed consent processes

Study coordination

Governance & compliance

Communication with stakeholders

Education

Degree in health, social care, public health, psychology, social science, or related subject

ICH GCP Training

Masters in related subject

Tools

Microsoft Office

Data management systems

Job description

Employer Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Windsor Research Unit Town Cambridge Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 23:59

Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP)

Band 6

Job overview

21 Month Fixed-Term Contract - Part time 30 hours per week

This post is part of a growing team of research nurses and practitioners working in the research and development (R&D) team at CPFT.

The primary base will be the Windsor Research Unit (Fulbourn hospital, Cambridge) with an expectation to provide support at the Cavell Centre, Peterborough on a business needs basis.

The Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) will play a pivotal role in developing, coordinating, and delivering research activity across CPFT and the local authorities the Trust works closely with.

The post will also strengthen collaboration with universities, partner NHS organisations, and the voluntary sector to drive high quality, impactful research.

This role is specifically designed to build research capacity and engagement within social care, public health, and community-based services, ensuring that research is embedded across the wider care system and aligned with shared strategic priorities.

The post holder will act as a bridge between health and local authority systems, supporting staff to engage in research and ensuring that residents - particularly those in social care or underserved communities - have equitable access to research opportunities.

The role is critical to embedding a sustainable research culture that supports evidence-based practice, service improvement, and innovation across both: NHS and local authorities organisations.

Main duties of the job

Champion a positive research culture and advocate for the integration of research into routine practice.

To provide ongoing support, advice and information to patients/volunteers regarding their participation in clinical research in order to obtain effective informed consent.

To ensure day to day practice reflects the highest standards of governance, clinical effectiveness, safety and patient experience.

To work collaboratively with other colleagues to ensure all studies are delivered on time and target and are delivered in accordance with the requirements of the study protocol.

Undertake horizon scanning to identify research opportunities and studies relevant to collaborative working between CPFT and Local Authority partners.

Accurate and timely completion of all study-related activities, electronically and/or in paper format. Provide regular updates on study progress to R&D and the wider CPFT community, including presentations at relevant CPFT forums and the timely provision of performance and recruitment data to R&D leads.

To contribute to identification, management, and reduction of risk and ensure appropriate clinical response as required by the protocol.

Maintain records and documentation of the studies, supporting good clinical governance, using standard databases and/or spreadsheets to regularly update Investigators, sponsors and R&D Governance.

Working for our organisation

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.

Our clinical teams deliver a wide range of NHS services across inpatient, primary care and community settings, including children’s, adult and older people’s mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, and research and development.

To achieve our goals, we recruit high calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly under represented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.

All appointments for new employees to CPFT are subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.

Please note we reserve the right to close adverts early should we receive sufficient applications.

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all roles. If you apply for a post that does not attract sponsorship, your application will be withdrawn from the process.

For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at https://www.cpft.nhs.uk

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence* and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

To work collaboratively with other colleagues to ensure all studies are delivered on time and target and are delivered in accordance with the requirements of the study protocol.

Undertake horizon scanning to identify research opportunities and studies relevant to collaborative working between CPFT and Local Authority partners

Accurate and timely completion of all study-related activities, electronically and/or in paper format.

Provide regular updates on study progress to R&D and the wider CPFT community, including presentations at relevant CPFT forums and the timely provision of performance and recruitment data to R&D leads.

To contribute to identification, management, and reduction of risk and ensure appropriate clinical response as required by the protocol.

Contribute to the development of Standard Operating Procedures.

Maintain records and documentation of the studies, supporting good clinical governance, using standard databases and/or spreadsheets to regularly update Investigators, sponsors and R&D Governance.

Ensure data management, quality and security according to guidelines and GCP.

To undertake an active role in the ethical requirements, including research ethics submission.

To ensure that all proposed research projects carried out in the department are registered and reviewed by the Trust R&D Department and NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC) prior to commencement, and that updates and amendments are reported in a timely fashion.

To be able to critically read a research protocol, understand the methodology and its practical application within pragmatic local requirements for the studies.

To provide advice and support to other members of the multidisciplinary team with an in-depth knowledge of ICH GCP and the Trust R&D functions.

Report incidents, protocol deviations, and governance concerns appropriately.

Champion a positive research culture and advocate for the integration of research into routine practice.

To provide ongoing support, advice and information to patients/volunteers regarding their participation in clinical research in order to obtain effective informed consent.

To ensure day to day practice reflects the highest standards of governance, clinical effectiveness, safety and patient experience.

To work collaboratively with other colleagues to ensure all studies are delivered on time and target and are delivered in accordance with the requirements of the study protocol.

*DVLA have a number ofereciproarrangements with overseas countries, for further information please visit the DVLA website

Person specification

Experience

• Experience working within health, social care, Local Authority, or community settings.
• Experience of delivering research studies
• Experience of participant recruitment and informed consent processes.
• Experience supporting projects, research, service evaluation, or quality improvement activities.

Education

• Degree in a health, social care, public health, psychology, social science, or related subject
• ICH GCP Training
• Masters in Public Health Research methods or related subject

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to build productive partnerships across organisations.
• Competence in Microsoft Office applications and data management systems
• Ability to present information effectively to different audiences.
• Familiarity with NIHR research infrastructure.

Knowledge and Understanding

• Knowledge of the legislation relating to information governance, confidentiality requirements and data protection.
• Knowledge of recent NHS legislation and recommendations in research
• Knowledge of Research Governance Framework and Good Clinical Practice Guidelines
• Good working knowledge of Mental Capacity Act
• Understanding of public involvement and engagement in research.

Other

• Promote a culture of inclusion, respect, and collaboration.
• Ability to travel independently around Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area meeting required timescales. A Full driving licence and access to a vehicle is essential.

Here at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) we are dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion. We deliver many of the NHS services that are provided outside of hospital and in the community such as physical, mental health and specialist services.

We are a health and social care organisation, offering a wide range of services, including:

• Integrated physical and mental health services for adults and older people;
• Specialist mental health and learning disability services;
• Children’s community services in Peterborough;
• Ground-breaking research

We strongly encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people and members of our ethnic minorities and LGBTQ+ communities. For further information about our positive equality, diversity and Inclusion work, please visit https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/equalityanddiversity .

CPFT is looking to build upon its pool of temporary workers with Temporary Staffing Services (TSS). You will be asked at interview if you would be willing to register with TSS. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to take on additional hours that are flexible around your personal circumstances.

Please be advised that in line with the WHO Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, 2020 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust currently are unable to accept applications from overseas candidates whose country of residence is classed as a ‘Red List’ country.

Applicants who require entry into the UK will be required to provide a valid police certificate from the relevant authority from each country (except the UK) where the applicant has been present for 12 months or more, 10 years before the date of visa application, while aged 18 or over.

If you are successful at interview you will be subject to pre-employment checks, including a DBS (if appropriate), references and Occupational Health. To ensure a smooth process please bring all identity documents to your interview. A list of required identity documents will be attached to your interview invitation.

All communications will be sent to you via TRAC Systems. By applying for this post you are agreeing to CPFT transferring the information contained in this application to TRAC. If you are made an offer, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.