MMU Event co-ordinators
Dr Jenny Fisher, Manchester Metropolitan University

Jenny is a Senior Lecturer in Social Care and Social Work and has a wealth of experience in working in
and with communities. She has worked for a UK government quango advising on community engagement.
Jenny has experience of voluntary work and is committed to co-production of social care with communities.
She has a doctorate in Psychology and her research is inter-disciplinary bringing together community
psychology, sociology, social geography and social policy. Jenny is experienced in Knowledge Exchange
between universities, professionals and communities. Her current work includes research with a range of
community organisations, developing age-friendly cities, charity shops and spaces of care. Jenny is
working on an international EU funded project in Serbia on early years practice. She is a Fellow of the
Higher Education Academy and has a substantive experience of teaching and training, and currently holds
a learning and teaching scholarship to develop the use of animations.

Her academic profile can be found at: http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/social-care-and-social-

work/staff/profile/index.php?profile_id=841

Twitter: @JennyCFisher

Dr Gemma Yarwood, Manchester Metropolitan University

Dr Gemma Anne Yarwood, is Programme Leader BA (Hons) Social Care within the Department of Social
Care and Social Work at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Nationally, she is one of the first women
leaders trained by The Leadership Foundation in Higher Education on its flagship, Aurora Programme. She
is currently working with international colleagues on a review of global work-care policy and practice.
Committed to interdisciplinary research, teaching and practice, she is on the Editorial Board for the
International Journal of Innovative Interdisciplinary Research. For more information, please contact her or
visit her social media links below. Gemma is a sports fan, music lover and enthusiastic traveller. She has
both paid and unpaid social care practice experience.

Profile:- http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/social-care-and-social-work/staff/profile/index.php?profile_id=864
Twitter: @GemmaYarwood
Social care and social work presenter information

Day One
1. Social Care in the UK – a historical perspective

Dr Marian Foley, Manchester Metropolitan University

Abstract:

In this presentation, we trace the historical development of Social work in the UK. From institutionalisation
to needs-led personalised care management, social work has developed through a process of change and
continuity. As part of this, we ask, how has social work training and education been transformed and what
prompted these changes? In doing so, we consider the historic fusion of social work and social care, along
the way taking you on a learning journey of the integration of services and provision. Drawing on insights
and experience as a social worker and manager of social work provision, this presentation will illuminate
the complex history of social work in the UK, asking you to think critically about the notions of crisis
management, social worker ‘burn out’ and the ever present concerns of effective recruitment and retention
of social workers.

Speaker biography: Dr Marian Foley is a Senior Lecturer within the Department of Social Care and Social
Work at Manchester Metropolitan University. She is a registered Social Worker and taught on a qualifying
social work programme for a number of years before holding her current post. Prior to qualifying as a Social
Worker, Marian worked in a Rape Crisis Centre for over a decade as a volunteer and then as the paid Co-
ordinator. Within this role, she provided support to women who had experienced sexual violence and this
remains her primary research interest. After qualifying as a Social Worker, Marian worked in statutory
children’s services for twelve years, holding a number of management posts but always working with
children in care, those subject to child protection plans and vulnerable young people on the edge of care.

2. The Changing Landscape of Adult Social Care in the UK; Neoliberalism and
Privatisation

Katy Goldstraw, Manchester Metropolitan University

Abstract:

Adult Social Care has changed significantly over the last sixty years in the UK. Successive neoliberal
policies have focussed on shared public, private and voluntary sector care provision. Care has become a
marketised, performance managed, contracted business. No longer is care provided by the welfare state, it
is contracted out, utilising neoliberal ideology to value the private over the public provision of services. This
presentation will examine the key ideologies that adult social care policy is based upon, analysing the
opportunities and difficulties faced by care providers within this policy context. Civil society has become the
predominant care provider, partnerships a key word and contracts a source of constant discussion. This
presentation will analyse the policy hot topics facing adult social care today.

Speaker biography: Katy’s PhD thesis focuses on the effects of austerity policies upon the Voluntary Sector
in Manchester, UK. Katy also teaches on several courses for both Manchester Metropolitan and Edge Hill
Universities. These courses include Undergraduate Social Work and Social Care, Youth and Community
Studies, MA in Public Policy and the MA in Voluntary and Third Sector Management, the latter of which she
has recently been nominated for a teaching award. Katy is also the director of a small social enterprise, The
Volunteer Training Company, a voluntary sector research and training provider. Katy has worked in the UK
and overseas voluntary sector for the last decade both in care sectors and in volunteer brokeridge. Katy’s
primary research interests are in participatory research, feminist research and Livelihoods Analysis.
3. ‘Doing dementia differently’ – people with dementia as leaders
Chris Armitage, Jo Bennett and Mark Perry, EDUCATE group of people living with dementia
and Stockport Dementia Care Training

Abstract:
Our presentation will outline the discovery of the leadership potential of a group of people living with
dementia in Stockport, and their subsequent development as educators, consultants and people. We will
consider how this challenged our own professionally acquired notions of expertise, management and
leadership. We will explain how this group of people with dementia adapted their own abilities, resources
and relationships to confront and resolve the shock of diagnosis and the everyday difficulties caused by
dementia. We will look at the impact of this new way of ‘doing dementia’ on the managers and leaders
involved with the group, and the co-production partnership that emerged as a result. We will conclude by
considering the application of co-production partnerships in the context of austerity, ageing populations and
living with long- term conditions.

Speakers’ biographies:

Chris Armitage is a member of the EDUCATE group, and has been living with Alzheimer’s disease for the
last three years. After a management career in the engineering industry, Chris was working as a health
care assistant on older peoples wards in the local hospital when he received his diagnosis.

Jo Bennett is a member of EDUCATE and lives with Alzheimer’s disease. Jo combined raising her family
with work as a medical and school secretary. She received her diagnosis 2 years ago at the age of 57.

Mark Perry practiced as a social worker in older peoples services and social work education prior to his
current role, development worker Stockport Dementia Care Training (SCDT) Contact: markperry@nhs.net

SDCT is a partnership between Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Stockport Council, which
provides training for care partners of people with dementia and the dementia workforce.SDCT also
supports EDUCATE, the Early Dementia Users Cooperative Aiming To Educate. EDUCATE is a group of
people with dementia who raise public awareness about dementia.

EDUCATE members support people newly diagnosed to face the future, helping them develop their
strategies for living well. They contribute to workforce training programmes and act as consultants in
matters of dementia policy. They provide focus groups for research projects and carry out dementia friendly
audits of buildings and events. EDUCATE belongs to the Dementia Engagement and Empowerment
Project, which tries to get the voice of people with dementia heard on the national stage.

4. Reflections on UK social work and the challenges for leaders and managers.

Dr Gemma Yarwood, Manchester Metropolitan University

Abstract:

Within a context of social, political and economic change, the context of UK social work is characteristically
complex. Having historically developed on the principles of social justice, social work evidence based
ethical practice rub alongside the mixed economy of social care and managerialism. Social work has
developed as a profession with a professional capabilities framework. Social workers support individuals
across the life course and we will hear, throughout the conference, about the ways these different
individuals at different life stages require versatility in social workers without compromise on
professionalism and high standards of care. With this in mind, this presentation reflects critically on social
workers as leaders and managers of themselves and others. We ask you to think about how social work
professional practice is monitored, reviewed and evaluated. Considering managerial tools such as 360
degree feedback loop, you should reflect on the impact of this on social work practice and social workers.
Day Two

5. & 6 Delivering social care in communities (In this section, we have two presentations.)

5. Social adVentures, Scott Darraugh,

Abstract:

Scott will provide a background to Social adVentures, and outline the work that the organisation does in the
area of social care. Social adVentures is a social enterprise, delivers health and social care in communities,
and has benefitted from social investment. The presentation will cover innovative approaches to delivering
care, the commissioning process, and entrepreneurialism.  

Speaker biography:

For over 8 years, Scott Darraugh was the Director of the Angel Healthy Living Centre, a public health
department in Salford, providing innovative, community based programmes in some of the area’s most
deprived neighbourhoods. In 2010, Scott became Chief Executive of Social adVentures after leading his
team of Public Health Specialists out of the NHS in Salford to create one of the country’s first NHS Social
Enterprises. Scott was responsible in March 2010 for Social adVentures becoming the 100th
Social Enterprise to receive the Social Enterprise Mark recognition of organisations social, environmental
and economic impact.

Scott is passionate about making a difference to people lives and is very interested in the impact social
entrepreneurship can make to this. Scott has been supporting the Department of Health’s Right to Request
/ Provide programme acting as a mentor and providing insight to the journey he and his team have
embarked on through public speaking and workshop facilitation. Scott is currently supporting the Cabinet
Office’s Mutual Support Programme. In 2011, Scott was one of the UK’s Top 100 Young Social
Entrepreneurs and Social adVentures was commended in the Public Sector Innovation Awards. In 2012,
Social adVentures won the converted RBS SE100 Growth Champion Award after growing by 262%.

6. Home-Start Manchester South, Lady Mallick, Mary

Abstract:

Home-Start is an international organisation and provides valuable support to families with children, This
presentation will outline the role of Home-Start, where it operates, both nationally and locally. It will provide
information about the criteria used to accept families, how volunteers are recruited, and information about
the volunteer training course. The referral process will be outlined, along with dissemination of an
evaluation of the service that was recently undertaken by MMU. The presentation will conclude with
information about the staff team and the role of the trustees, funding and comments from families who have
used the service.

Speaker biography:

Mary Mallick was born in Brough, East Yorkshire, a village ten miles from the County Town of Beverley.
Mary has been an English teacher at a number of schools in Manchester and Hull since 1961. She was the
President of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society (2007-09) and the Chairman of St Gabriel's
Hall Trustees' Representatives (2008-2013). Mary was a Justice of the Peace for Manchester between
2005 and 2007, and continues to be the chair of the Greater Manchester branch of the Art Fund. Since
2009, Mary has been a trustee for Home-Start Manchester South.
 7. Self-advocacy and engagement : What is the Uk’s Big Society?

Abstract:

In this presentation, Jodie is going to tell you about a research

project called “The Big Society? Disabled People with Learning
Disabilities and Civil Society” she is working on with Manchester
Metropolitan University (MMU)

Jodie will explain what Big Society is and how SpeakUp, a self-
advocacy organization, are working with MMU to find out about
what disabled people with learning disabilities’ lives are like in a
time of cuts to public services.    

Jodie will explain how we are working together to support more

people with learning disabilities to have their say and to have a
vote.

Speaker biographies:

Jodie Bradley, Speak Up

Jodie is an Expert by Experience a salaried staff member and a

leader at Speakup Self Advocacy. Jodie is experienced in team
training and works closes with her colleagues both at Speakup and
on all the projects that Speakup is currently involved in. Often
taking the lead recently she led a very successful project funded
through DH Third Sector Grants called ‘Healthy Surfers’ training
over 250 people with learning disabilities and or autism to use a
computer and surf the web safely for health information. She works
for the CQC through their Experts by Experience programme and
also works actively with the universities of Sheffield and
Manchester Met. Jodie is a leading member of Speakup for
Autism, and an active member of the research project called “The
Big Society? Disabled People with Learning Disabilities and Civil
Society” she is also a representative on the Valuing Families
Forum.

Annie Ferguson, Speak Up

Annie is a principal supporter of the organisation Speakup which together with colleagues with learning
disabilities she founded 26 years ago. She is an active fundraiser and an experienced teacher, spending
much of her time at grassroots teaching people with learning disabilities and autism the skills they need to
lead valued and fulfilled independent lives. Employment and inclusion for people with learning disabilities
and/or autism is a passion and Annie promotes this agenda whenever possible. Annie is an active member
of research project called “The Big Society? Disabled People with Learning Disabilities and Civil Society”.
 8. The Personalisation agenda: How can the relationship between practitioner and
service user overcome tensions in the personalisation agenda?
Oliver Pool BSc (Hons), PGCert, MBPsS

Abstract:

In this presentation, you will critically consider the personalisation agenda within the UK. Talking as a self-
advocate, business manager and employer of carers, I will document the tensions of 24/7 mixed care
packages. I will ask you to consider what personalisation means and how it can be interpreted for the lives
of disabled people as they strive for independent living. Drawing on the dichotomous relationship between
health and social care approaches, the presentation aims to illuminate the tensions that sit within and
across personalised care packages. These tensions include: debates about Risk, Finance Management
and human resource management. Given that the bedrock of the personalisation agenda is one of
relationality, both Social Worker and Service User must establish a relationship with common purposes and
outcomes. This presentation ends with a call to you as social workers and managers to debate how
relationships can be a catalyst for overcoming tensions.

Speaker biography:

Oliver is the Co-Founder of AskJules, a health and social care brokerage business assisting disabled adults
to live independently by having complete choice and control over their support provisions. I have published
research with Manchester Metropolitan University Psychology Journal exploring independent living in the
lives of disabled people. I am a guest lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University teaching on the BA
(Hons) Social Care. I am currently in my final year of counselling and psychotherapy training. I volunteer at
No Panic an anxiety helpline charity and in addition a founding member of the British Psychological Society
Disability Network. I am a huge music fan and enjoy attending live performances. I take pleasure in
socialising with family and friends.