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University of Bedfordshire Professional Development Lecture Series for BA and MA Social Work Students
Presented a comprehensive lecture series designed for BA an MA Social Work Students seeking to strengthen their knowledge, skills, and confidence in contemporary safeguarding practice. Drawing on current research, legislation, policy, and real world practice experiences, each session provided an engaging and reflective learning environment that promotes critical thinking, professional curiosity, and evidence-informed decision-making. Topics covered included:
Exploring the underrepresentation of Black women in social work management and leadership in the UK
Black women remain underrepresented in management and leadership positions across the UK. This thought provoking presentation explored the barriers and challenges that continue to limit progression into senior roles. Drawing on Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality, the talk examines how race, gender, class and power intersect to shape the experiences of Black women within social work organisations.
This session was designed for social work students to support them to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by Black women in social work and explore practical approaches to promoting representation, inclusion and meaningful organisational change.
Key themes:
Reimagining social work through an intersectional lens
An intersectional lens recognises that race and gender alongside other social identities such as as age, disability, sex, religion, migration, language and history shape Black women lives. Reimagining social work in this way means moving beyond a homogeneous approach and designing pathways to management and leadership that responds to the complexity of lived experience.
Cultural Humility
Exploring self-awareness, power, privilege, bias, and culturally responsive practice to improve engagement with diverse children, families, and communities.
Safeguarding
Understanding the principles, legal frameworks, and responsibilities that underpin effective safeguarding practice across children’s and adults’ services.
Contextual Safeguarding
Examining how extra-familial harms, peer influences, schools, neighbourhoods, and online environments impact children and young people's safety and wellbeing.
Adultification
Developing an understanding of adultification bias and its impact on Black children and other marginalised groups, with a focus on promoting equitable and anti-discriminatory practice.
Multi-Agency Working
Strengthening collaborative practice across organisations to improve communication, information sharing, decision-making, and outcomes for children and families.
Child in Need
Understanding statutory duties, assessment processes, planning, and interventions to support children whose health and development may be impaired without additional services.
Child Protection
Exploring risk assessment, threshold decisions, child protection processes, and effective interventions to safeguard children at risk of significant harm.
Assessment Skills
Enhancing analytical thinking, professional judgement, report writing, and evidence gathering to produce high-quality assessments that inform effective planning and intervention.
Presentation Skills
Building confidence in delivering professional presentations, facilitating discussions, communicating complex information, and engaging diverse audiences.
Date: February 2026 to present
Central Bedfordshire Council, World Social Work Day
Exploring the underrepresentation of Black women in social work management and leadership in the UK
March 2026
The Joint Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development : Harambee, for sustainable shared futures in Nairobi, Kenya
June 2026
GRACE Symposium
Exploring Race, Inequality and Social Justice in a Changing World
June 2026
London Social Work Research Network
Underrepresentation of Black and Global Majority social workers in leadership
June 2026
16th Gender Work and Organizations Conference, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan, Asia
Rethinking Futures: Care, Labour, and the Politics of Belonging
June 2026
3rd International Conference on Intersectionality, Bridging Perspectives, Inspiring Action Heritage University, Washington, United States of America
Bridging Perspectives, Inspiring Action
April 2026
University of Bedfordshire Post Graduate Presentation Day
Exploring the underrepresentation of Black women in social work management and leadership in the UK
March 2026
SWEARN
Exploring the underrepresentation of Black women in social work management and leadership in the UK
November 2025
The University of Bedfordshire PGR Conference
Exploring the underrepresentation of Black women in social work management and leadership in the UK
December 2024
The University of Bedfordshire One-Day Summit: Embedding Sustainability for the Long Term in the Oxford–Cambridge Region
3 minute thesis presentation
November 2024
University of Bedfordshire
Researching gender in managing and organising
March 2026
University of Bedfordshire Postgraduate Presentation Day
Methodology: Qualitative research design
March 2026
Frontline
Inclusion, Exclusion and Racial Trauma
March 2026
Croydon Council Social Work Management Meeting
Exploring the underrepresentation of Black women in social work management and leadership in the UK
April 2026
University of Bedfordshire
Winner of the 3 minute thesis competition
December 2024
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