Profile

Isabelle Brodie, Senior Research Fellow

I first came to the University of Bedfordshire in 1994, and worked as a full-time researcher – and part-time PhD student - in the Department of Applied Social Studies until 2003.

I then left to work first at Birkbeck College and then the National Children’s Bureau.

I returned to the University in 2007, and now work part-time as a researcher in the Institute of Applied Social Research.

Teaching interests

I am interested in the way in which children and young people experience family, care and school and the processes through which they become disadvantaged. I am especially interested in the day-to-day nature of these processes, and the way in which they unfold at a micro-level.

Topics of interest include family trauma resulting in experience of the care system, school exclusion and other forms of educational disadvantage. In teaching about these topics I am interested in the way in which different theories provide frameworks through which to explain and understand these issues, and in considering the evidence about different means through which children, young people and their families can be supported.

During the past year I have taught on undergraduate modules relating to early years, inclusion in education and the youth and community programme. I also have input on post-graduate programmes.

Research interests

My research interests span the experiences of children and young people in need and looked after and those who are having behavioural and other difficulties at school. I am also concerned with the experiences of their families and the range of professionals who work with them.

The majority of my research has been concerned with children in the care system, and especially with the educational experiences of children in care.

Working with the Social Care Institute for Excellence, I have recently completed a scoping review for C4EO Centre for Excellence in Outcomes for Children on educational outcomes for looked after children and young people.

Although I do not have a professional qualification, I have worked closely with practitioners and regularly provide research training and input for Making Research Count.

Books

• Brodie, I. (2001) Children’s Homes and School Exclusions: Redefining the Problem. London: Jessica Kingsley.
• Melrose, M., Barrett, D. and Brodie, I. (1999) One Way Street? Retrospectives on Childhood Prostitution. London: the Children’s Society.
• Berridge, D. and Brodie, I. (1998) Children’s Homes Revisited. London: Jessica Kingsley.

Book chapters

• Brodie, I. (2005) ‘Education and residential childcare in England: a research perspective’, in D. Crimmens and I. Milligan (eds) Facing Forward: Residential Childcare in the 21st Century. Russell House Publishing.
• Brodie, I. (2001) ‘Children looked after’ in L-A Cull and J. Roche (eds) The Law and Social Work: Contemporary Issues for Practice. Basingstoke: Open University Press.
• Berridge, D. and Brodie, I. (1996) Residential child care in England and Wales: the inquiries and after’, in M. Hill and J. Aldgate (eds) Child Welfare Services: Developments in Law, Policy, Practice and Research. London: Jessica Kingsley.

Refereed articles

• Berridge, D, Beecham, J, Brodie, I, Cole, T, Daniels, H, Knapp, M, and MacNeill, V. (2003) ‘Services for troubled adolescents: exploring user variation’, Child and Family Social Work, 8, 4, 269-280.
• Brodie, I. (2001) ‘Children’s homes and school exclusion: redefining the problem’, Support for Learning, 15, 1.

Research summaries

• Brodie, I. (2005) The education of children in public care. Highlight No. 218. London: National Children’s Bureau.

Training materials

• Myers, P., Barnes, J. and Brodie, I. (2004) Partnership Working in Sure Start Local Programmes: Synthesis of Early findings from Local Programme Evaluations. London: National Evaluation of Sure Start.
• Brodie, I. (2003) The Involvement of Parents and Carers in Sure Start Local Evaluations. London: National Evaluation of Sure Start.
• Stuart, J., Barnes, J. and Brodie, I. (2002) Conducting Ethical Research. London: National Evaluation of Sure Start.
• Brodie, I. (1999) Children Living Away From Home. Open University Course K201. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Research reports

• Fielder, C. and Brodie, I. (2006) Voices across the Atlantic: the transition from foster care to adulthood. Report to the British Academy. London: National Children’s Bureau.
• Brodie, I., Dobel-Ober, D., Kent, T., Berridge, D. and Sinclair, R. (2006) Taking Care of Education. Final Report to the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. London: National Children’s Bureau.
• Berridge, D., Beecham, J., Brodie, I., Cole, T., Daniels, H., Knapp, M., MacNeill, V. (2002) Costs and Consequences of Services for Troubled Adolescents: An Exploratory, Analytic Study. Report to the Department of Health. Luton: University of Luton.
• Berridge, D., Brodie, I., Pitts, J., Porteous, D. and Tarling, R. (2001) The Independent Effects of Permanent Exclusion From School on the Offending Careers of Young People. London: Home Office.