Helen Scholar

Lecturer in Social Work

• Allerton C604
• T: 0161 295 2404
• E: h.f.scholar@salford.ac.uk
• SEEK: Research profile

Fridays 10.00 – 12.00

I qualified as a probation officer/social worker in 1985 (we all did the same qualification then!) and spent the next 15 years working for Greater Manchester Probation Service in a number of different roles.  I started working with offenders in Salford; then joined the Family Court Welfare Team, working with children and families dealing with the consequences of divorce and relationship breakdown; spent six months working on a special project at HMYOI Hindley, and then joined the Training and Staff Development Team.  In 2001 I moved to Liverpool University, where I taught on the Diploma in Probation Studies programme, while also working part time at the University of Manchester, MMU and later as an Associate Lecturer on The Open University’s social work programme.  Throughout most of this time I was a volunteer, committee member and later trustee of a Women’s Aid group providing refuge and support for women experiencing domestic abuse.

I joined the University of Salford in September in 2006.

My main teaching responsibilities are divided across two main areas at present.

I lead two modules,   on the  ‘Step Up to Social Work’ programme, Step Up to MA Social Work (Professional Practice).

I am currently module leader for final level practice learning modules across the BA and MA programmes, developing and sustaining practice learning opportunities and being responsible for quality assurance processes.

Professional practice, including the preparation of students for practice, and the contribution of practice placements.

Ideas about the role and purpose of social work, and the development of a professional identity in a changing and contested practice environment.

Children and families and the private law.

And a new theme for me! - social media in social work education and practice.

2000    PGCE Further, Higher and Adult Education (Bolton Institute)

1985   CQSW/Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work Social Work (University of Lancaster).

1981    MA English (University of Manchester).

1979    BA Hons English Language and Literature (from University of Manchester)

Registered Social Worker: No: SW65665

Journal Articles

 Scholar H (3013) ‘Dressing the Part? The Significance of Dress in Social Work’ , Social Work Education 32 (3), pg. 365-379 

Scholar, H. McCaughan, S. McLaughlin, H. and Coleman, A. (2012) "Why is this not social work? The contribution of 'non traditional' placements in preparing social work students for practice" Social Work Education, 31(7), pp 932-950

Shardlow, S M, Scholar, H, Munro, H & McLaughlin, H (2011), 'The nature of employers' involvement in social work education: an international exploration', International Social Work. 55 (2) pp 204-223

Research Reports

Blewett, J., Carpenter, J., Haines, C., McLaughlin, H., Patsios, D., Platt, D., Scholar, H., Shardlow, S., Wong, C. & Wood, M. (2013) "Early Professional Development Pilot Programme", London: DfE
https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFE-RR267

Carpenter, J., Patsios, D., Wood, M., Platt, D., Shardlow, S., McLaughlin, H., Scholar, H., Haines, C., Wong, C. & Blewett, J. (2012) "Newly Qualified Social Worker Programme Final Evaluation report (2008-2011)", Research Report DFE-RR229, London, Department for Education
www.education.gov.uk/publications/eorderingDownload/DFE-RR229.pdf

McLaughlin, H., Scholar, H., McCaughan, S. and Coleman, A. (2011) "Interim report of the Well-Being Initiative on the Team Programme", The Princes Trust.

McLaughlin H., Livesley J., Scholar H. (2010) "Evaluation of Trafford (West Area) Multi-Agency Family Support Team, Salford" for Centre of Social Justice Research, University of Salford..

Scholar H., McLaughlin H., McCaughan S., Coleman A., Cairns C., Livesley J. (2010) "Evaluation of Student Social Work Placements in three regions delivering The Prince's Trust Team Programme" for Salford, Centre of Social Justice Research, University of Salford.

Cairns C., Coleman A., McCaughan S., McLaughlin H., Scholar H. (2009) "Evaluation of Practice Learning Placements on The Prince's Trust Team Programme" for Salford Centre for Social Work Research, Salford.

Scholar, H, Myers, S & Munro, L (2008) ‘Evaluation of the ‘Case Plan’ Model Operating in Private Law Applications at a NW Family Court’, for Salford Centre for Social Work Research, Salford.