Maqsoodah Ashraf

Biography

I began my Social Work Career working at Calderstones Hospital which was a long stay institution, working with people with mental health issues.  I was then transferred to work at Brockhall Hospital for a period of 6 months to resettle all the service users to the community as Brockhall Hospital was closing.

In 1993 I was based in the community in Burnley and worked in Children’s Services; child protection and children with special needs for 5 years.  I then moved to Generic Social Work and worked on a Patch based area working with all client groups such as children and families; elderly; adults with mental health issues; adults with physical health issues; adults with learning difficulties; alcohol and drug misuse; homeless people; people on political asylum and  hospital discharges.

In 2001 I was based as a Social Worker in the Rossendale community mainly working with adults in the community and hospital discharges. In 2007 I left my career in social work for a career change into Education and worked  at Burnley F.E. College teaching mainly health and social care modules then progressed to Programme Leader managing all the Access Courses such as Social Work; Paramedics; Nursing and Midwifery and PGCE – Teaching.  I also managed the BA Social Work Degree which was franchised by a local University.   This gave me insight into Higher Education.

In 2016 I was employed as a lecturer in health and social care at Staffordshire University and taught social policy / health and social care modules.  In addition taught and led the Certificate in Money Advice Practice (CMAP) course.  I then progressed to becoming a Course Leader of the Health and Social Care Degree, managing recruitment; working in partnership with colleges and teaching a variety of modules such as public health; dementia awareness in HSC and Health Promotion.  I am student focused in supporting all students to progress and achieve their career aspirations.

I was employed at Keel University in 2021 as a lecturer in social work teaching modules such social work theory and methods across the UG and PG social work courses. As an academic mentor I support all students with academic/pastoral support.  In my role, I am also the service user and carer co-ordinator (SUCG) supporting our SUCG members who participate in our social work programmes.  I am also the lead on Decolonisation of the social work curriculum in the school of medicine at Keele University.

I have presented at Keele Scholarship Conference in December 2023  The involvement and challenges of Service Users and Carers in Social Work Programmes.  In April 2024 at Keele Annual Conference - Learning Together for teaching excellence, in partnership with DTC Lead’s across our Faculty presented a presentation on decolonising the curriculum.

I am embarking upon completing the Doctorate  Professional Practice Community & Social Care: Policy & Practice.  My research interest is in the right die debate.