Responsible for developing and supporting Northumberland VCS Assembly. Providing a structure for effective communication, engagement and coordination for and with the voluntary and community sector.Supporting the development of an inclusive, independent and influential voice for the VCS and ensuring the collective view has influence on planning and policy decisions in Northumberland and the region.Improving working relationships between the VCS and public and private sectors.

Freelance social research consultant undertaking quantitative and qualitative research to inform policy and practice. Activities includes service evaluations, needs assessments, consultation and engagement. Prepare and produce research plans and business information for tender process. Research project delivery. Develop, organise and deliver research events including publicity. Policy development to meet business requirements.

Responsible for coordinating customer insight and research programmes to ensure that the organisation remains fully in touch with its customer needs. The focus of my activities was research in relation to the the management and administration of student and social work bursaries. This involved understanding the processes in terms of services delivery, interviews with key members of staff and customer satisfaction surveys with students and focus groups. Gaps in desired customer experience were identified and areas for action. Information gathered was used to guide the direction of future customer service.

Led the development and ongoing management of research and information systems. Advised, developed and led on primary research. Coordinated and quality assured the monitoring of priorities, plans and strategies and provided support to Directorates in performance reporting and target setting. Ensured integration of research and information to support analysis of need, policy development and improvement.

Led and coordinated specific policy and research including significant corporate projects related to the Council's corporate policy priorities. Developed, promoted and evaluated the implementation of corporate research initiatives. Coordinated and delivered the Council's corporate research programme. Advised and supported Directorates on research and consultation. Developed effective working partnerships with other local , regional and national organisations. Managed and monitored research contracts and resources. Managed staff and provided management support to the Head of Service.

Responsible for undertaking policy analysis and original research for departments and committees of the authority in support of corporate activities. Responsible for the design, conduct and analyses of research projects, dissemination of the results including presentations. Participation in inter departmental groups and supervising research staff working on projects.

Responsible for the day to day management of a DHSS funded study to evaluate long stay accommodation (NHS Nursing Homes) for elderly people. Responsible for working on all stages of the research process (research design, data collection and analysis, report writing and presenting findings). Responsible for coordinating the work of three fieldworkers in three towns/cities across England. Planned and implemented a postal survey of long stay institutions in six health authorities. Consultant on external projects.

Responsible for the collection of data on the disabilities of elderly people in hospitals and residential care, data preparation, analysis and report writing. Responsible for carrying out an exploratory piece of research funded by the Equal Opportunities Commission to establish whether female carers were less likely than male carers to receive assistance from statutory services.