Dawn Lawrence

Senior Lecturer

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I graduated from the Leeds Metropolitan in 2000 with a BA (Hons) in Youth and Community Work. Following this I completed a PGCE Teacher Training (post 16 – Lifelong Learning) in 2007 at Huddersfield University and an MA in Youth and Community Development in 2017 at University College Birmingham.

Since 1994 I have worked extensively in a variety of roles including as a Youth Development Worker, Project Coordinator, Employment and Training Team Leader and a Family Support Worker. I have worked in the statutory/voluntary sector and on a voluntary basis where I successfully gained a range of skills, knowledge and experience whilst working with children, young people and families.

Prior to joining Staffordshire University, I delivered contemporary themes as a guest lecturer at University College Birmingham and became an external examiner for Coventry University for their BA (Hons) Youth and Community degree.

Since joining Staffordshire University in 2019 as a lecturer I have taught on the Social Welfare Law, Policy and Advice Practice, Health and Social Care and the Social Work degree. As a result of my vast experience in children, young people and families, I have been instrumental in the design of the new BA (Hons) Working with Children Young People and Families and a Level 5 Diploma (Dip HE) Leadership and Management with Children, Young People and Families.

I currently hold the position of Senior Lecturer and Course Lead.

Academic qualifications

  • MA Youth and Community Development
  • PGCE Teacher Training (Post 16 – Lifelong Learning)
  • BA(Hons) Youth and Community Work
  • Level 4 Working with Families with Complex Needs
  • Level 4 NVQ Information Advice and Guidance
  • Level 3 QCF Health and Social Care

Expertise

I have a wealth of experience and involvement in delivering bespoke workshops including:

Youth Development Work (Detached, Centre Based and Outreach Work which included managing Youth Projects)

Working with Families, Young People and Children (Mentoring young people, Case Management/Referrals, Early Help Assessments)

Family Conflict Resolution (Parenting Support, Mediation, Advocacy, Delivering Parenting Programmes)

Training - delivering both creative and innovative bespoke training programmes/workshops in a variety of educational and community settings

As well as:

  • Children, Young People and Families
  • Family Support Work
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Research interests

  • BAME issues
  • Children, Young People and Families

Teaching

  • Social Welfare Law, Policy Advice and Practice,
  • Social Work
  • Working with Children, Young People and Families degree and apprenticeship
in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021