Research Assistant - SOLUTIONS Trial

NHS; Preston; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Preston is seeking a Research Assistant for the Solutions Trial, focusing on the recruitment and engagement of participants. The ideal applicant should have a degree in Psychology and experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods. The role is critical in assessing the impact of psychological treatment for children facing criminal exploitation. Applicants should possess strong communication skills and the ability to work flexibly within the research team.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Supportive work environment

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience working with people with mental health difficulties or disabilities.
• Ability to undertake psychologically informed research projects under supervision.

Responsibilities

• Recruit participants for the Solutions Trial.
• Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
• Engage with staff and patients at NHS sites.

Skills

Quantitative research methods

Qualitative research methods

Good communication skills

Data analysis

IT literate

Education

BSc(hons) Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Go back Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust

Research Assistant - SOLUTIONS Trial

The closing date is 10 February 2026

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.

Main duties of the job

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.

About us

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 those 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.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification

Education/qualifications

• BSc(hons) Psychology (2:1 or above) or equivalent (e.g. post graduate conversion course accredited by the British Psychological Society)

Knowledge

• Quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Research governance and ethics
• A good knowledge of how mental health services are organised and function, including the children and young people\'s mental health services
• An understanding of the needs and difficulties of children and young people in the context of offending behaviours and contact with custody suites

Experience

• Data analysis, either quantitative or qualitative
• Work with people with mental health difficulties and/or other disabilities

Personal

• Ability to undertake psychologically informed research projects under supervision
• Good communication skills (written and verbal) including an ability to communicate and work across a number of different settings
• IT literate including use of Microsoft Office including Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc
• Ability to analyse and interpret written and numerical data
• Communicate effectively with potentially vulnerable or otherwise anxious/distressed participants

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust