About

I am a Senior Lecturer and Assistant Head of Discipline at the University of Derby, with expertise in Youth Work, Therapeutic Play and therapeutic interventions. I am a JNC-qualified Youth Worker and a PTUK-registered Therapeutic Play Practitioner, committed to promoting emotionally responsive, inclusive and developmentally appropriate approaches to education, care and professional practice.

My teaching focuses on helping students develop a strong understanding of therapeutic principles, including attuned communication, reflective practice and relationship-based approaches to working with children and young people. I encourage students to explore creative methods that support emotional wellbeing, self-awareness and positive behavioural outcomes.

As Assistant Head of Discipline and Teaching and Learning Lead, I provide strategic leadership for teaching and learning across the discipline. My role includes line management of academic colleagues, oversight of academic quality and enhancement, staff development, and contributing to curriculum strategy and educational innovation.

I currently lead a discipline-wide Curriculum Inquiry Project exploring how we ensure students develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for professional practice, employment and lifelong learning. This work draws upon employer expectations, professional standards, research evidence and sector benchmarking to inform curriculum development across themes including research, leadership and management, safeguarding and social justice.

I welcome opportunities for collaboration, research and publication in therapeutic play, inclusive education, youth work and creative communication with children and young people.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach across Youth Work, Community Studies and related practice-based programmes, supporting students from undergraduate through to postgraduate study.

My teaching interests include youth work theory and practice, therapeutic approaches, child and adolescent development, communication with children and young people, safeguarding, reflective practice and professional development. I am particularly interested in helping students connect theory to practice through creative, experiential and relationship-based learning approaches.

Alongside my teaching, I provide academic leadership across the discipline, leading teaching and learning initiatives that support academic quality, student success and educational enhancement. I work with colleagues to share effective practice and strengthen the student learning experience across our programmes.

Professional interests

My professional interests centre on therapeutic play, inclusive education, youth work practice and emotionally responsive approaches to supporting children and young people.

Alongside my interests in therapeutic play and youth work practice, I have a strong interest in educational leadership, curriculum inquiry and academic enhancement. I am particularly interested in how disciplines determine what should be taught, how learning develops across academic levels and how curricula remain relevant to professional practice, employer expectations and wider social change.

I currently lead a Curriculum Inquiry Project exploring how higher education programmes can evidence the knowledge, skills and behaviours students develop throughout their academic journey. This work examines themes including research, leadership and management, safeguarding and social justice, alongside curriculum design, progression, authentic assessment and graduate outcomes.

I am passionate about creating evidence-informed, inclusive and professionally relevant learning experiences that enable students to develop as reflective practitioners, critical thinkers and future leaders within their fields.

Research interests

My research interests focus on therapeutic interventions, therapeutic play, youth work identity, reflective practice and communication with children and young people.

I am particularly interested in how creative and relationship-based approaches can support wellbeing, participation and personal development. My work explores how practitioners build meaningful relationships with children and young people and how these relationships contribute to positive outcomes in educational and community settings.

I have contributed to research examining professional identity within youth work and the challenges experienced by practitioners working within changing professional contexts. I am also interested in inclusive pedagogy, curriculum development and the integration of therapeutic principles within educational practice.

My current interests include therapeutic play within educational settings, practitioner reflection and curriculum design that prepares graduates for complex and evolving professional environments.

Membership of professional bodies

• PTUK Registered Therapeutic Play Practitioner
• JNC Qualified Youth Worker
• Advance HE Aurora Leadership Programme Graduate (2024)

Qualifications

• BA (Hons) Applied Youth and Community Work (JNC Qualified), First Class - University of Derby
• PGCert Higher Education - University of Derby
• Postgraduate Certificate Therapeutic Play Practitioner (Distinction) - Leeds Beckett University

Experience in industry

Prior to joining higher education, I spent more than fifteen years working directly with children, young people and families in community, childcare and youth work settings.

I worked as a Youth Worker with Rathbone Training UK, supporting young people through educational, personal and social development programmes. Before this, I was a Childcare Coordinator with YMCA London South West, where I managed childcare provision and supported the development and wellbeing of children and families.

Alongside my academic work, I am a PTUK-registered Therapeutic Play Practitioner. As part of my professional training, I completed over 100 hours of therapeutic play practice with children and young people under clinical supervision. This experience deepened my understanding of child-centred therapeutic approaches, play-based communication and the importance of reflective practice in supporting emotional wellbeing and development.

These experiences continue to inform my teaching, leadership and scholarship, allowing me to bring contemporary professional perspectives into the classroom and support students in developing the knowledge, values and skills required for effective practice.

Additional interests and activities

Alongside my academic and leadership roles, I am passionate about therapeutic play and the use of creativity to support communication, emotional wellbeing and personal development.

I have a particular interest in reflective practice and enjoy supporting both students and practitioners to develop confidence, self-awareness and professional curiosity. I am committed to creating inclusive environments where individuals feel valued, supported and able to achieve their potential.

I am also interested in mentoring colleagues, developing communities of practice and fostering collaborative approaches to teaching, learning and scholarship.

Recent publications

Williams, S., Rosier, T., Fox-Lee, L., Hutson, L. and Dawson, R. (2023). The Confused Practitioner: A Critical Reflection of the Professional Identity of a Youth Worker. Youth & Policy.