Biography
Keith is a JNC qualified youth worker, foster dad and university lecturer with substantial practice experience, having worked with children and young people (aged 0-25), and their families since 1991.
Prior to joining the University in 2012, he worked within a variety of settings, including working with children and young people who live with disability, residential support for young people who experience homelessness, family support and universal services for young people. He has experience of working within and managing services, both for the charity sector and the local authority:
Senior Youth Worker, Worcestershire County Council, 2006-2012
Regional Family Services Officer, RNIB, 2005-2006
Deputy Manager, Cornerstone Housing, 2000-2005
Youth Worker, Alum Rock Hall, 1998-2000
Intern, Covenanters, 1997-1998
Teaching Assistant, Oxfordshire County Council, 1991-1997
Keith and his husband have been a fostering family since 2012 and this has given him a unique insight into the experiences of children who are care experienced and the ways in which services respond (or don’t) to their needs.
He has a strong commitment to equality, human rights and social justice.
Profile
Research Interests:
Keith has supervised a number of dissertation students, on a range of research topics including: children and young people who are care experienced; bereavement support in school; support for young carers in school; support for transgender students in school; homelessness; safeguarding children and young people; self-harm in school; special educational needs.
Keith’s own research interests are concerned with children who are in foster care and the families who foster them. His Master’s degree dissertation was on the topic of pupil disaffection in secondary education, and he is currently researching the experiences of children being fostered by same-sex couples.
Teaching:
Keith teaches and module leads on the BA ‘Working with Children, Young People and Families’ single and combined honours programmes.
He primarily focuses on anti-discriminatory practice and social policy as education and children’s social care intersect.
Administrative Responsibilities:
Keith is a member of the LGBTQ+ Staff Network.
Membership of Professional Organisations:
Keith is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Member of the Institute for Youth Work.