Co-production of an intervention to embed life story work in daily care home practices and increase meaningful connections among care home residents, relatives and staff

Summary

Background: Life-story work (LSW) has the potential to enhance person-centred care in care homes, however, when the focus becomes the activity itself and not the meaningful connection formed between the people involved, this approach could lead to task-oriented approaches to care. Further research into the implementation of LSW is required, as activities that are viewed as something separate from everyday routine are less likely to be successfully implemented.

Aim: To co-produce an intervention for care homes that incorporates LSW into daily practices, increasing meaningful connections with care home residents. The objectives are to:

· Synthesize the evidence relating to the nature and scope of LSW within care homes.

· Explore the contextual factors impacting how LSW can create meaningful connections within care homes.

· Identify mechanisms to embed LSW in care home practice.

· Coproduce the content and mode of delivery for an intervention which will increase meaningful connections in LTC through the embedding of LSW in daily practices.

· Explore how evaluation metrics can be applied to assess the impact of meaningful connections in care homes.

Setting: Care homes across Northern Ireland.

Design: A four phase study following the Medical Research Council's Guidance for Developing Complex Interventions: (1) Systematic scoping review to explore the nature and scope of LSW in care homes through a realist lens using the ‘context, mechanism, outcome’ framework; (2) Multi-methods study including interviews and a survey with care homes in Northern Ireland to identify how to embed LSW throughout care home life; and (3&4) Co-production workshops with key stakeholders to present the evidence base established from the previous study stages and develop the content and delivery of the intervention.

Outcomes: This project will coproduce the content and mechanisms of delivery of an intervention aimed to increase meaningful connections through the embedding of LSW in daily care home practices.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

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.

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• International applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to a distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience or knowledge of research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Track record of peer reviewed publications
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• Relevant professional qualification

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)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

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, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.