Empowering foster carers to support sleep in children in care
PhD
Key facts
Start dates
September 2025 / October 2025
Application deadline
Friday 17 January 2025 - 12 noon.
Location
Course length
Full time: 3 years
Supervisor(s)
More details
Eligibility: Home UK/EU applicants with settled or pre-settled status
Bursary p.a: equivalent to UKRI national minimum stipend plus fees (2024/25 bursary rate is £19,237)
University fees and bench fees will be met by the University for the 3 years of the funded Studentship.
This course is not available to students classed as International for fees purposes.
Overview
Sleep problems are common in children and young people and are associated with many adverse effects on psychological and physical functioning (for the child and their carers). Children in care (CiC) (84,000 in England in 2024) have increased risk for sleep disturbance for many reasons. Our preliminary work has found that UK foster carers (FCs) commonly encounter sleep difficulties in CiC and that they need support to manage these issues as night-time difficulties are a source of stress and a potential cause of placement breakdown.
Unfortunately, FCs report numerous barriers to getting the sleep-related help they need, including challenges seeking and accessing appropriate support and also practical difficulties with implementing advice they do receive. Although there are evidenced ways to manage children’s sleep difficulties, the particular requirements of this population need to be understood so that resources and advice can be tailored for this group of children and their carers.
Additional details
This PhD would aim to:
- understand the special considerations of managing sleep in CiC
- co-produce resources to best meet the sleep-related needs of CiC and those who care for them and
- develop recommendations for how FCs and CiC are supported around sleep.
The research would likely utilise qualitative and co-production methodologies with FCs and other professionals involved in their care. The successful applicant will be expected to design studies, collect and analyse data, and report findings.
There is an additional requirement to undertake up to 6 hours undergraduate teaching/week during semesters and to participate in a teaching skills course.
Supervisory team: Prof Luci Wiggs and Dr Georgia Cook.
For further information contact Prof Luci Wiggs on lwiggs@brookes.ac.uk
Complete applications should include a proposed project proposal (max 1000 words) including background, aims and an outline methodology. Applicants can liaise with Luci Wiggs when developing their proposal.
How to apply
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree from a Higher Education Institution in the UK or acceptable equivalent qualification.
English language requirements
EU applicants must have a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 7.0 and no score below 6.0 issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.
Application process
Please download and follow the application guideline instructions to prepare your application.
Contact hls-applications@brookes.ac.uk with any queries.
This project is advertised on a competitive basis alongside other current Nigel Groome PhD studentship advertisements for Biological and Medical Sciences projects. Part time MPhil/PhD study will be exceptionally considered (Home Fee status applicants only).
Tuition fees
Questions about fees?
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