Improving Support for Care-Experienced Young Mothers in Northern Ireland
Deadline: 3 March, 2025
Level of Study
Postgraduate Research
Funding Amount
The Studentship offers tuition fees and annual stipend to support living costs for a maximum of three years, depending on residency. For the year 2024-2025, the stipend rates for 2024-25 were £19,237.
Application Status
Open
Eligibility summary
- Level of StudyPostgraduate Research
Overview
Supervisors: 1st Dr Paul McCafferty & 2nd Professor Davy Hayes
Background and overview of the project: The Department of Health Northern Ireland's recent review highlights a shift in social care from a child protection focus to a more supportive approach, recognizing care-experienced young mothers as particularly vulnerable. A significant number of these women become pregnant before leaving care, exposing gaps in legislation and support systems such as The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 and the Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002. Feedback from Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC), one of Northern Ireland’s leading charities supporting young people in care, highlights that many care-experienced young mothers feel judged and unsupported. This perception discourages them from seeking help, ultimately worsening outcomes for both them and their children.
This qualitative PhD, completed in partnership with VOYPIC, seeks to address the knowledge gap regarding care-experienced young mothers, aiming to improve policies, services, and legislation to better meet their needs. It focuses on creating empathetic, non-judgmental support systems, guiding policy development, and ensuring equitable treatment in care.
Further Information
The Studentship offers tuition fees and annual stipend to support living costs for a maximum of three years, depending on residency. For the year 2024-2025, the stipend rates for 2024-25 were £19,237.
Funding Towards
Living Costs / Stipend, Tuition Fees
Funding Body
CAST Studentship in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work.
Funding Amount
The Studentship offers tuition fees and annual stipend to support living costs for a maximum of three years, depending on residency. For the year 2024-2025, the stipend rates for 2024-25 were £19,237.
Number of Awards
1
Funding Body
CAST Studentship in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work.
Eligibility
For further details about eligibility criteria (including academic, citizenship and residency criteria) please click on the DfE Research Eligibility Guidance Notes: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/department-economy-studentships.
Funding Type
Help with new course
Fee Status
Study Level
Postgraduate Research
Start Date
Thu, 30 Jan 2025 10:15:22 GMT
Close Date
Mon, 03 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT
Contact Us
Contact Dr Paul McCafferty p.mccafferty@qub.ac.uk should you have any queries related to the award.
How to Apply
To apply, please log onto Queen's University Belfast Application Portal, select the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, selecting a PhD in Social Work, complete the required sections and submit your application by March 3rd 2025. Cite reference CASTPMC25 in the funding section of your application.
Applications received after this date cannot be considered.
Applicants will be required to upload a statement (in place of a proposal) which should outline the applicant’s:
- qualifications, experience and personal attributes that makes them a suitable candidate to undertake this PhD study (max 500 words)
Candidates must nominate two academic referees.
Start Date: 1 October 2025
Application Deadline: March 3rd, 2025.
Interviews 1st April