Senior Lecturer in Social Work
Before joining the University of Sunderland in 2021, I worked in Children's Services for nine years, working directly with children and families in safeguarding, assessment, and support teams and then moving to lead and support others' practice and learning as a Practice Educator and workforce development lead.
I remain a registered social worker with Social Work England (SW 88182) and teach primarily on the BA (Hons) Social Work (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship). My current areas of interest are systemic practice, motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed practice.
Teaching and supervision
I am module leader for SWA 102 Developing Skills for Social Work Practice, which is in Year 1 of the three-year degree. I teach part of the module SWA 201 Law and Social Policy (Children's) in Year 2. I am also Module Leader for SWA 203 Reflective Social Work Practice which is also in Year 2.
I am Level 4 coordinator for the BA (Hons) Social Work (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) and part of this role includes meeting students during introductory learning period and supporting them as they navigate their way through the first year on the course. I also enjoy doing the Personal Academic Tutor role, where we support students through their years studying with us.
I am Level 4 coordinator for the BA (Hons) Social Work (Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) and part of this role includes meeting students during introductory learning period and supporting them as they navigate their way through the first year on the course. I also enjoy doing the Personal Academic Tutor role, where we support students through their years studying with us.
Research interests for potential research students
In 2023 I completed primary research with Social Workers exploring trauma-informed practice in social work supervision. This qualitative, exploratory study sought to understand social workers' experiences of supervision, whether trauma-informed practice or approaches are present in supervision and whether this makes a difference to both workers (personally and professionally) and the people they support. I also explored how Social Workers used supervision to make sense of the adversity or traumatic events they encountered in their role.
I am currently taking part in a research project which is exploring the role of the mentor in supporting apprentices in Social Work.
I am currently taking part in a research project which is exploring the role of the mentor in supporting apprentices in Social Work.