The Team

 Our Practice Development Workers

Practice Development Workers (PDW) serve as an important champion of social work both regionally and nationally. Our PDWs are currently making links with partner agencies to promote opportunities for student placements in statutory settings, and to increase the numbers of Practice Educators across the county. Their role is vital to the success of the Partnership.

Our PDWs, Carolyn Millican and Matthew Devlin, introduce themselves below.

Carolyn Millican: I have worked for Cumbria County Council as a social worker for the past 7 years. Previously I have worked with Offending Behaviour, Child Protection and as the Local Authority Designated Officer. I am seconded from Children’s Services into the Practice Development Worker role within the Learning and Skills Team. I am passionate about continuous professional development and I am always looking for learning opportunities and ways to further my knowledge and skills. This was one of my motivating factors when applying for this role, as I am aware that social work is an ever-changing profession and by entering into a partnership with Lancaster University, Cumbria County Council staff have the opportunity to access current research and practice.

 

Matthew Devlin: I have worked for Cumbria County Council since 2009. In that time I have had a number of roles within Adult services, working with older adults, Physical Disability and more recently specialising in Learning Disability. I’m currently seconded from an Enhanced Practitioner role within the learning disability team. I’m passionate about the social work profession, and excited by the opportunities the Social Work Teaching Partnership will bring to current practitioners, social work students and partner agencies. The social work profession requires practitioners to constantly develop their knowledge and skills. A closer link with Lancaster University will support and inform the professional development of social workers, which will help to strength practice and improve outcomes for service users.