Welcome from the Dean of Health and Social Work

Jackie Kelly

At the School of Health and Social Work you start as students but are on a journey to becoming our colleagues of the future. You are training to be a professional and will be taught by registered professionals who have been where you are, and who want you to be the best you can be.

We look not just for academic skills but for your individual strengths and abilities that will contribute to the values of your chosen profession. With some 4,000 students we’re a large School but our focus is on your personal journey. Our teaching is innovative, research-informed and takes place in state of the art facilities, using simulation centres to build your confidence and develop your skills in clinical practice.

Like many of our academic staff, I am still a registered practitioner. I am a nurse by background and worked for the University for many years as a part time practitioner lecturer, developing my academic career. It means I have a deep commitment to the University’s values, which put people at its heart. This value base is reflected across the School.

One of the School’s strengths is our partnerships with health and social care service users, patients and their families who are involved in developing our curriculum and delivering our research portfolio. Everything we do is designed with our end users in mind. As students you will engage directly with people using the health and social care services, to understand their needs and experiences.

Our partnerships with health and social care providers are also vital, as our partners in your learning journey and your future employers. Nearly half of our undergraduates undertake clinical placements, gaining real insight from working in a clinical environment. Our students’ success in the health and social work professions is shown in our graduate employability rate, which is currently 98.9%.

As Dean I am passionate about ensuring that every one of our students has the opportunity to develop and flourish, ensuring that you will make a valued contribution to these important professions. You are going into the world to improve lives and safeguard people's futures - to do things that make a difference - and we want to make your learning experience here the very best it can be.