Paul currently leads a number of modules across the BA Social Work programme and has a special interest in Mental Health Social Work. Paul is the Programme Leader for the social work element of the Integrated Masters in Nursing and Social Work. He also has lead responsibility for involving service users and carers in social work education at Edge Hill.
Paul is an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and Best Interests Assessor (BIA). He has a professional social work qualification and MA in Social Work and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Paul also holds the Full Post Qualifying Award in Childcare Social Work. Paul has substantial experience of assessing people under the Mental Health Act and the practical application of Mental Health Law.
Paul has spent a considerable part of his career working in an out of hours setting in various Local Authorities across the North West and South West of England where he worked in generic practice. Paul has substantial prior experience of practice education. He has direct practice experience of statutory Social Work in Child Protection, Fostering and Adoption, Children with Disabilities, Mental Health and discharging a range of statutory duties through Emergency Duty Social Work. Paul continues to regularly practice as a social worker within an Emergency Social Work setting and maintains a current AMHP warrant.
Paul is interested in the mental health needs of carers, the challenges faced by agencies in the application of Mental Health Law within the context of austerity measures, the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and the Mental Health needs of men. He is committed to developing the next generation of social workers and is currently undertaking research in relation to the student experience of understanding the professional social work role.