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I am a Principal
Lecturer in social work. I also hold a
Sub-Dean role in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences and am involved in a
number of cross-faculty projects, including working with Health Care colleagues
to develop high quality teaching and learning facilities for staff and
students.
I was responsible for the
development of the Social Work degree programmes at the University and continue
to teach on and develop these programmes.
Particular teaching and research interest include anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice, the interface between social work law and practice, the teaching and assessment of law in qualifying social work education, and reflective practice.
Formerly a
comprehensive school teacher, working often with marginalized and socially
excluded young people, I first entered Social Work through working as a teacher
for the Probation Service.
I went on to
professional training and was subsequently employed as a Probation Officer in
Bedfordshire for almost 10 years working in a wide range of areas within the
service.
Whilst working for the
Probation Service I gained my Practice Teaching Award and become one of
Bedfordshire’s first specialist Practice Teachers.
I also have experience in the voluntary sector as an unqualified worker, working with homeless people and recognise the value to students of having experience of working outside the traditional statutory sector.
I first joined
the University as Programme Director for the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Practice Teaching Consortium and was responsible for setting up the Practice
Teaching Award programme in 1996.
I have a strong commitment to Practice
Learning and to the professional development of both Practice Teachers and
students alike and continue to promote high quality practice learning for
students.
In 2002 I was awarded one of the University’s first HEI Employer
Partnership Fellowships, and within this role, have been keen to promote and
develop effective working relationships with a broad range of employer
organisations in the field of health and social care.
As a result, the Department of Applied Social Studies and Social Work in particular, has a strong network of employer stakeholder who make significant contributions to the work of the Department.
I am currently
involved in a number of research areas in the area of Social Work education, including
the teaching of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice (with Courtney Jones),
and the teaching and assessment of law in social work education and training
(with Michael Preston-Shoot and Suzy Braye).
I am also a member of the General Social Care Council working group on Diversity and Progression in social work education in England. I am committed to providing a high quality, student centred, learning environment and curriculum for students that will equip them for future professional practice.
Amanda Thorpe
E: amanda.thorpe@beds.ac.uk
