PhD Study : The Parent-Power Pod: Co-production and testing of an online training resource with and for parents to support their children with speech sound disorder

Summary

Up to 24% of UK children have difficulty making themselves understood to others because of speech sound disorder (SSD) (Law et al. 2000). SSD is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting on: school achievement (McLeod et al. 2019); the ability to make friends; mental health; and future life opportunities (RCSLT and ICAN 2018). As the largest single paediatric group referred to speech and language therapy (SLT) community services (Broomfield and Dodd 2004), children with SSD place a heavy demand on NHS resources. Application of evidence-based interventions to practice for children with SSD is challenging for SLTs (McCabe 2019). To support SLTs with this, an online tool (Supporting and Understanding SSD (SuSSD)) was co-produced with SLTs at Ulster University (Hegarty et al. 2018). SuSSD is now live and attracting 1000s of visitors to the site, thereby showing a real potential to change SLT practice. However, ensuring that children with severe SSD receive the intensity of intervention recommended in the research remains a challenge in clinical practice (Hegarty et al. 2020). Recent research shows promising findings that parents could be supported to increase the intensity of intervention for their child’s SSD while receiving direct SLT intervention (Sugden et al. 2020). However, there are challenges about how to best support parents implement such interventions (Tosh et al. 2016). Realist research methodology has great potential to support the identification of a theory of change which will optimally support such parent-implemented interventions and improve outcomes for children with severe SSD (Pawson 2013).

AIM: To co-produce and test the face validity of an online module in SuSSD supporting parents to increase intensity of intervention for 4-year-olds with severe SSD alongside direct SLT.

Objectives:

(1) To conduct a realist review into the nature and effectiveness of parent training/parent-implemented programmes supporting children who require intense interventions (year 1). Following guidance (Booth 2020, Pawson and Tilley 1997) an optimal theory of change will be constructed supporting successful parent-implemented interventions.

(2) To investigate barriers and facilitators for parents implementing interventions at home for their children with severe SSD alongside direct SLT (years 1/2). Design: Focus groups (n=5) (2 SLTs/2 parents of children receiving SLT for SSD per group). Data analysis: Thematic.

(3) To co-produce an online module within SuSSD that will support parents to increase intensity of intervention for their child with SSD alongside direct SLT (years 2/3). Design: co-production workshops (parents/SLTs (n=6)) and play sessions (children (n=2)) Procedure: The group will: synthesise findings from earlier objectives, delineate content, training and support materials for the online module; and contribute to a logic model to support successful integration of the programme in context. Children and their parents will try out the activities in play sessions. Data analysis: Thematic (workshops) and behavioural (play) analyses.

(4) To assess the face validity of the co-produced parent online module (year 3). Design: Focus group (n=1) (adults (n=6)), play session (children (n=2)). Procedure: The focus group will review the programme and children will experience core activities from it.  Data analysis: Thematic (focus group), and behavioural (play sessions) analyses.

References will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

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.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

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.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• 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. Further information on cost of living