About

I joined the National Probation Service in 2004, qualifying as a Probation Officer in 2006. I then worked in a variety of settings, including a number of years in Courts across the North East area, and latterly as a Practice Tutor Assessor with responsibility for training, assessment and practice development.

Whilst with the National Probation Service, I delivered training around specialist areas including Sexual Offending, Domestic Abuse and the Prevent (Counter-Terrorism) Agenda.

Throughout my time in practice, I developed an interest around individuals with Learning Disabilities and Autism in the criminal justice system. I have continued this interest into my academic career, and have recently completed a Master degree (Autism Spectrum) to allow me to develop the specialist knowledge to conduct research into this complex, but extremely important area. I am now undertaking my PhD, with research around the lived experiences of autistic individuals in prison. It is hoped this will allow me to contribute to the understanding and development of practice in working with vulnerable and complex individuals.

I am keen to further my own professional development and maintain links with criminal justice practice. In order to do this, I spent a number of years as a member of the Independent Monitoring Board of a large North East prison, and as a primary school governor, which allows me to maintain an interest in the social factors affecting individuals across my home area.

Since joining the University, I have achieved Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

Teaching

Sheffield Institute of Law and Justice

College of Social Sciences and Arts

Subject area or group:

• Community Justice Learning - delivery of external contracts to criminal justice professionals

Courses taught:

• Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP)

Research

• Social and Economic Research Institute

I am currently undertaking my PhD, with research around the lived experiences of autistic individuals in prison.