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Polly Sykes

MSc, DipSW

  • Senior Lecturer in Social Work
  • Director of Practice Learning
  • Fitness to Practice Chair
  • Head of Social Work

Profile

Areas of expertise

  • Placements and Practice Education
  • Adults social care - particularly learning disabilities
  • Bereavement and Loss

Academic Biography

I qualified as a social worker in 2003. I spent most of my front line social work career working with disabled people, including children, young people preparing for adulthood, and adults. Having seen the challenges faced by those that I work with, I am enthusiastic about the need for social justice and equality.

I qualified as a Practice Educator in 2008 and I have supported a number of students as both an on-site and off-site Practice Educator. I am keen to ensure that all students have a sound placement experience, and I have worked with colleagues to undertake research into the placement experience of people from minority ethnic backgrounds. 

I joined the university in 2013, and I am currently the Director of Practice Learning and Chair of the Fitness to Practice Panel. I represent the university with the 'Yorkshire Urban and Rural Teaching Partnership', which is funded by the Department for Education and aims to improve social work education and employment. 

Qualifications

  • Postgraduate certificate in Academic Practice (2019)
  • BA (hons) Business & Management at Leeds Met University 2012
  • Practice Educator Award 2008 
  • MSc Applied Social Work at Oxford University 2003
  • BA (hons) Biblical Studies & Philosophy at Sheffield University 1999

 

Teaching

I am involved in various aspects of the Social Work course. In particular, I lead the following modules:

  • Knowledge into Practice
  • Social Work Across the Lifecourse
  • Practice Education Professional Standards (Stage 1)
  • Community Practice Experience

Polly Sykes

Contact details

Polly Sykes
Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Placements Coordinator Fitness to Practice Deputy Chair
School for Business and Society
CL/A/109

Tel: 01904 321267