Can community development approaches in social work deliver sustainable cost effective solutions to improving community health and well being? An investigation into the best practice models to transform health and social care in N I

Summary

This is a collaborative project with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.

This research investigates the role of community development as a multi-disciplinary approach to reduce fragmentation, enhance strategic alignment and productivity across LHS practice (Theme 1). Findings will inform policy, training and practice in health & social care and allied professions, to enhance the quality of work and retention of talent (Theme 2: Action 8).

The Programme for Government (2024-2027) highlights the huge pressure on health services in NI, with increasing demands predicted by 2043, and a significant rise in the proportion of older people (85 years+).

To reform and transform public services, there is an urgent impetus to forge more joined-up approaches across HSC sectors, as well as with the CVS. MacDonald et al.’s (2024) systematic review across the UK and internationally, supports the effectiveness of CDA in tackling health inequalities.

Whilst the DoH has an extensive history of policies and publications promoting CDA in SW (see Pascoe et al., 2025), including their assertion that a healthy community is “...more self-reliant and is less likely to place increased demands on the health and social care system” (DoH, 2018a, p.44), Proctor (2017) highlights the lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of different SW interventions.

As a front-line service, SW interventions have a huge impact on people’s lives and given the current and predicted demands on HSC services, robust evidence is required to determine the impacts of CDA on health and wellbeing. Whilst O’Brien (2023) has produced promising evidence pertaining to the role of CDA in SW, the evidence is largely limited to social workers’ perceptions.

CDA is closely aligned with co-production, which supports transformational change to a more inclusive, bottom-up HSC system, where “…the collective efforts of policy makers, people who use services, carers, staff, staff representatives and local communities …all work together in partnership to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland” (DoH, 2018b, p.6).

The proposed 3-year study seeks to explore the effectiveness of CDA in fostering empowered, engaged communities, to improve health and social wellbeing. The PAR strategy will ensure findings immediately start to inform SW and wider HSC policy and practice, to promote the development of socially connected and healthy communities across NI and lead the transformation of HSC services.

Findings will provide evidence of the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of CDA in HSC interventions and the extent to which these improve health and wellbeing; strengthen community engagement; and build relationships and trust, between individuals and the state, and between the statutory and CV sectors.

The PG Diploma SWCDA is the only professional post-graduate training in CDA across the UK which equips graduates with specialist knowledge and skills to employ CDA when working with communities, to identify and develop innovative solutions to health and social issues.

Many of these graduates have established CD projects across a range of social work settings, including children’s services, older people, disability, mental health, primary care, and a database of 93 graduates willing to participate in this research has been established.

This database may comprise all or of part of the study population, providing the researcher with an initial network of contacts; increasing accessibility to the study population; and enhancing viability of the project.

Internal supervisors have significant research expertise in SW and CDA and successful PhD supervision experience, whilst the doctoral college provides researchers with relevant training and support to successfully complete studies within the allocated timescale.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)

This scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000* (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum is also available.

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National, or

• Have settled status, or

• Have pre-settled status, or

• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or

• be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period