Programme Researcher

Programme Researcher - Operation Hydrant

Location: Moss Way Police Station, Moss Way, Sheffield, S20 7XX (Hybrid 60/40 Split)
Alternate Team: Beaconport: Fully WFH with occasional travel to team days (expenses paid)
Contract: 3 month contract with likely extension
Hours: 37 hours per week (Monday-Friday) 9am-5pm
Pay Rate: £20.98 PAYE / £26.65 LTD per hour

About the Role:

This is not a general research role.

You will spend large portions of your time reading, analysing, and categorising detailed narratives of child sexual abuse and exploitation recorded by police forces across England and Wales. The material is explicit, distressing, and emotionally demanding.

If you are not confident you can work accurately, consistently, and professionally with this type of content, this role is not for you.


Purpose of the Role:

To support the NPCC Hydrant Programme’s analytical function by researching, reviewing, and categorising CSA-related crime data from all 44 police forces, contributing to national reporting on the scale, threat, and nature of child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Your work directly informs:

• National CSA threat assessments
  
  
• Strategic decision-making
  
  
• Home Office-directed tasking and reporting
  
  

Key Responsibilities:

• Reading and categorising high volumes of CSA and CSE MO narratives into structured datasets (primarily Excel-based).
  
  
• Conducting detailed research using open and closed policing systems.
  
  
• Producing written reports, PowerPoint briefings, and graphical summaries to support analysts.
  
  
• Supporting analysts with insight, validation, and cross-checking of findings.
  
  
• Liaising with partner organisations including local authorities, health services, DfE, and researchers in other forces.
  
  
• Maintaining awareness of Hydrant Programme priorities and national CSA trends.
  
  
• Managing a quarterly work cycle:
  
  
  • Weeks 1–4: Intensive reading and categorisation
    
    
  • Weeks 5–12: Deeper research, analysis, and report production
    
    

Essential skills and experience:

• Experience researching, collating, and evaluating data from multiple sources.
  
  
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to produce clear, accurate reports.
  
  
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills.
  
  
• Confidence working independently and under pressure.
  
  
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office (particularly Word and Excel).
  
  
• Strong literacy and numeracy.
  
  
• Emotional resilience and professional detachment when working with sensitive CSA material. 
  
  
• Background in research, criminology, safeguarding, or policing research.
  
  
• Familiarity with policing systems (e.g. Athena, Niche, PND, PNC).
  
  
• Experience using Excel for structured data analysis.
  
  
• Exposure to evidence-based policing or intelligence processes.
  
  
• Basic understanding of crime recording practices.
  
  

Apply Now Service Care Solutions is proud to assist in this recruitment campaign. If you meet the above criteria and would like to be considered, please apply now or reach out directly to discuss the role in more detail.
 
Harry Greenhalgh
Recruitment Lead – Defence
Service Care Solutions
harry.greenhalgh@servicecare.org.uk
01772 208962