Public Health Research jobs

Research Associate – SEND & Healthcare

Location: Chichester, West Sussex – ideally office based
Salary: £25,000 per annum
Hours: Full time, Monday–Friday
Employment Type: Permanent

About KT Healthcare

KT Healthcare is a growing healthcare organisation delivering specialist assessment, therapy and rehabilitation services across the UK. We work with individuals, families, schools, local authorities and other organisations to provide high-quality, evidence-based support.

As we continue to grow our therapy services, we are looking for a Research Associate to help us better understand the needs, priorities and commissioning landscape across the UK.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a student, recent graduate or early-career researcher to join our team and play a key role in shaping our understanding of the SEND and therapy landscape.

You will research and analyse information from a range of sources, including Local Authority SEND and Alternative Provision strategies, commissioning plans, public sector reports, frameworks, tenders and population data.

Your research will help our team understand:

• What therapy and support services councils are prioritising
• Which populations and areas have the greatest need
• Local authority SEND strategies and key areas of focus
• What councils are looking for from healthcare providers
• Which frameworks, Dynamic Purchasing Systems and procurement opportunities KT Healthcare should consider joining
• Upcoming commissioning and tender opportunities
• How local priorities differ between regions
• Emerging trends and developments across SEND and therapy services

You will turn this information into clear, practical insights and recommendations that can be used by our Partnerships and Therapy teams when speaking with local authorities and developing new opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Research Local Authority strategies, commissioning intentions and procurement opportunities
• Read and interpret SEND strategy papers, needs assessments and other public sector documents
• Identify key themes, priorities, gaps and emerging areas of need
• Research relevant frameworks, DPS arrangements and procurement routes
• Build and maintain a database of relevant local authority and commissioning information
• Produce concise research summaries, briefing documents and reports
• Monitor changes in SEND policy, commissioning and therapy provision
• Support the team with preparation for meetings and conversations with councils
• Identify opportunities where KT Healthcare's therapy services could support local priorities
• Present research findings clearly to colleagues across the business

About You

We are particularly interested in someone who is curious, analytical and enjoys finding information and making sense of it.

You could be a current student looking for a full-time opportunity, a recent graduate or someone at the beginning of their research or healthcare career.

Ideally, you will have:

• An interest in SEND, healthcare, education, public policy or social care
• Some experience of research, ideally involving SEND or local government
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail
• The ability to read and understand lengthy reports and extract the important information
• Strong organisational and analytical skills
• Confidence using Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word
• The ability to work independently and manage multiple research projects
• A proactive approach and genuine curiosity about how services are commissioned and delivered
• SEND research experience would be highly desirable but is not essential. We are more interested in someone with the right mindset, research ability and willingness to learn.

What We Offer

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 2 additional paid festive closure days
• Private Medical Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Discount Platform
• Company pension
• Enhanced sick pay