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Brid Featherstone

Professor of Social work, University of Huddersfield

Brid qualified as a social worker in 1982 , working initially with young offenders and as a generic social worker before becoming a team manager of an area based social services team in 1989. Brid has substantial experience of working in and managing child protection cases. Since embarking on an academic career Brid has developed a research profile in working with men in child protection and in exploring the issues that parents face when involved with the child protection system and in family support. As Professor of Social Work since 2006, Brid has become increasingly involved in exploring and advising on the issues around systems design and reform both in England in the Republic of Ireland.

Brid’s high profile role in social work and child protection is evidenced by her experience – highlights of which include:

- Commissioned by Director of Children’s Services Bradford to conduct an audit of safeguarding procedures post the death of Baby Peter Connolly. Presented findings to Local Safeguarding Children Board and staff throughout the directorate.

Member of Every Child Matters Executive, Bradford Children’s Services
Author of submissions to Taskforce on Social Work and Select Committee on Children and Families on behalf of the Association of Professors of Social Work as part of the reform process post the death of Baby Peter Connolly

- Author of joint submission (with Family Rights Group) on reform of child protection to the Munro Review

- Member of Expert Advisory Group on Training, Research and Practice, Health Service Executive, Department for Children, Ireland

- Member of Best Practice Advisory Group, Barnardos Ireland

Experience

  • –present
    Professor of Social Care, The Open University