Developing an adapted curriculum of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)

About the Project

ESRC WGSSS studentship in Education

The School of Education at �鶹��ý�� are delighted to offer fully funded Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) (ESRC DTP) studentships starting in October 2024.

Proposal description: ��

Developing an adapted curriculum of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

In Wales, 1 in 6 children and young people have a diagnosable mental health problem, significantly impacting their experience of education, and many more struggle with Adverse Childhood Experiences which are directly connected to mental health problems in adulthood. Consequently, the Children’s Commissioner has called for urgent action to improve support for children and young people experiencing mental health difficulties, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic.��However, mental health problems among young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are often overlooked, underdiagnosed, and incorrectly attributed to the person’s IDD despite the prevalence of mental health problems in this population being several times that of the general population. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is well documented as an effective approach for improving mental health and wellbeing in all populations. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board have conducted promising preliminary work in determining the suitability of the DBT curriculum for use with those with IDD in schools. They have found that an adaption of this curriculum could have a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing, and subsequently access to quality education for children and young people with IDD.

Duration of study:

The duration study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs which will be

assessed by completing an Initial Development Needs Analysis (DNA) at the application stage and a

Full DNA prior to award if successful. ��Durations of study may vary from - 3.5 to 4.5 years full time (or part time equivalent).

��Research in practice placement:

WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-

months in total. All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy,

business or civil society organisations

��Entry Criteria:

To receive WGSSS studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equal to an

honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters from a UK academic research

organisation. Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply.

Applicants for whom English is not their first language need to have an IELTs score of 6.5 or above��.

��ٲ�:

WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can

comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements.

WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive

environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study and from candidates with non-traditional academic backgrounds.

Assessment:

Applicants are reminded to submit all relevant documents (transcripts, supporting statement, etc) by

the deadline. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered. Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to give a short presentation and answer a series of panel questions consistent with previous practice on the pathway during the Wales DTP and guided by the WGSSS’s commitments on EDI.

Interviews may take place in person but will also be available via Teams for applicants for applicants who prefer this format.

Applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their interview within 2 weeks.

��How to apply:

Applications should be received no later than 10/05/2024 including all required documents.

All applications should be submitted via –��

��Please include the following documents with your application:

1) Cover letter (two pages maximum)

The cover letter must include the following bullet points as subheadings:

Please name the collaborative studentship being applied for and set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at XXXX University, and the XXXX pathway.
Please detail your understanding, and expectations of doctoral study.
Provide detail of your academic interests generally, and particularly of those relating to your proposed research.
Drawing on your own background (including your life experiences, journey to/through��university, work experiences or volunteering) please provide a summary of why you are ready��to undertake a PhD now and how you will flourish as a result of PhD funding.
You might include, for example, personal challenges that you have overcome or achievements that you are proud of in your work, study or life experiences and how these map onto the skills required to flourish in a PhD programme.
Challenges could include, but are not limited to, protected characteristics, socio-economic status and of being a prospective first-generation student or care- experienced.
Reflecting on your own background and/or proposed approach to PhD study and the��opportunities which it will present, how will you support diversity and inclusion in the PhD community?

2) Academic CV (two pages maximum)

3) Research proposal

For collaborative studentships, the proposal should build directly on the outline description that has

been supplied. The proposal should be up to a maximum of 1000 words, not including bibliographic

references. We suggest that you use the following five headings in your research proposal:

·��Title, aims and purpose of the research;

·��Brief overview of the academic literature relevant to your field;

·��Proposed design/methods;

·��Academic contributions of your research.

·��Bibliographic References

4) Two academic or professional references

Candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. The

reference must detail the applicant’s research strengths.

5) Degree certificates and Transcripts (including translations if applicable)

6) If relevant, proof of English Language Competency (see institutional requirements for entry)

Funding:
The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees, an annual tax-free living stipend of in line with UKRI minimum rates (currently £18,622) and includes access to a Research Training Support Grant. If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship

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Developing an adapted curriculum of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for children and young people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)

About the Project

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