Funded Social Work and Social Care Doctoral Studentship
Funded studentship for research in improving outcomes for Black and Global Majority children, young people and families.
We are pleased to be working in partnership with Hackney Council, to offer an 80% funded Professional Doctorate studentship for an experienced social work and/or social care professional.
This exciting opportunity is for a practitioner who wishes to undertake our Professional Doctorate in Social Work and Social Care while contributing to research that will improve outcomes for children and young people.
About the studentship
North London NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with Tavistock Education and Training and the London Borough of Hackney, is offering an 80% funded Professional Doctorate (D55) studentship for an experienced children’s social care professional.
This practice-based doctoral opportunity will link directly to Hackney’s commitment to understanding how anti-racist, trauma-informed and systemic approaches can reduce disproportionality and improve outcomes for Black and Global Majority children, young people and families.
The successful candidate will undertake research focused on the below areas:
- Anti-racist practice and organisational change within children’s services.
- Disproportionality across children’s social care, education, youth justice and mental health pathways.
- The implementation and impact of Hackney’s STAR (Systemic, Trauma-Informed and Anti-Racist) practice model.
- Improving equity, decision-making and outcomes through evidence-informed practice.
Applicants should meet the entry requirements for the Professional Doctorate (D55) and have:
- A relevant Master’s degree.
- A recognised Social Work or other relevant professional qualification with a minimum of two years’ post-qualifying experience, or substantial experience in health and social care.
- A strong interest in anti-racist practice, systemic change and research that influences policy and practice.
The studentship offers:
- 80% funding towards tuition fees for the Professional Doctorate (D55).
- Supervision and support from leading academics at Tavistock Education and Training, alongside senior practitioners and leaders from the London Borough of Hackney.
- An opportunity to undertake impactful doctoral research that contributes to reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for children, young people and families.
Applicants will also need to submit a separate application to the Professional Doctorate programme.
This studentship is only available to students who qualify for Home Fees.
How to apply
To apply for this studentship opportunity, please express your interest via the online form below. Then, submit an application to our Professional Doctorate in Social Work and Social Care via our MyTAP application portal.
As part of the MyTAP application form, you will be prompted to provide a brief proposal for a doctoral research project that could be completed on a part-time basis over a three-year period. This research proposal should be tailored to this studentship opportunity.
Applicants will be assessed on the quality of the research proposal and wider application. The deadline for applications is Monday 31 August 2026, at 11.59pm. Short-listed applicants will be invited for online interview(s) on September 10.
If you have already submitted an application to our Professional Doctorate programme but wish to be considered for this studentship, please complete the form below or contact us directly: training@tavi-port.ac.uk. We will facilitate the submission of your new research proposal.
If you have any questions about the studentship or application process, or if you would be interested in funding a studentship in future, please get in touch: training@tavi-port.ac.uk.