- About postgraduate study
- Part-time study
- Courses
- Faculties
- UK students
- EU students
- International Students
- How to apply for your course
- Handy Hints
- Open Events
- Student Recruitment
- Money Matters
- About Us
I am a Principal Lecturer in Social Work and Programme Lead for the undergraduate provision on the Bedford campus.
I became a qualified Social Worker in 1983. Over the years I have worked in various settings with a variety of service user groups.
This has included children and families and adults with disabilities in fieldwork posts.
I qualified as an ASW in 1986 and as a practice teacher the following year.
In 1994 I was appointed to a service development post with Bedfordshire County Council.
This involved developing day, residential and community services for older people with dementia.
I have contributed to delivery and development of both undergraduate and post qualification provision for Social Workers since 1999.
I teach Social Work theory and methods, introduction to counselling skills and a module which looks at social exclusion and poverty. I also contribute to a module looking at community care and support students with their practice learning. Key influences are systems theory and person centred approaches.
The latter, as developed by Tom Kitwood, provided the foundation stone for my own practice whilst contributing to the development of services for people with dementia. Systems theory has provided me with a basis for assessment and working with children and their families.
A central current interest is the impact of globalisation and specifically, due to population migration, how personal social services can be developed to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population.
I am committed to anti oppressive practice and believe that in order to work towards achieving greater social justice for all, understanding the experience of others, is of central importance.
In this context, I am particularly interested in how faith based belief systems shape perceptions of social work, both of social work practitioners and the people who use services.
I value highly the diversity of our student group. It is diverse in terms of age, race, sexuality, culture, beliefs, experience and educational achievement.
I believe that each person has a particular blend of talent and ability and that it is important that we recognise that we all learn from and with each other.
E: nicolette.wade@beds.ac.uk
T: 01234 793168
