Bridget Caffrey

Senior Lecturer
School of Society
b.caffrey@chester.ac.uk
Bridget Caffrey

I successfully completed a BSc in Sociology before training as a Registered General Nurse in Manchester. After several years in nursing, I undertook a Masters degree in Social work (1995). I held social work posts within several LA’s working in hospital and community settings. I worked with older people, adults with disabilities and young people with a learning disability transitioning into adult services.

Passionate about Social Work training and development, I completed the Practice Teacher Award in 2007 and worked for several years as an independent PE. I joined the University as a Senior Lecturer in 2015. Since joining UoC I have developed my interest in practice education, carrying out research into student experiences in practice.

I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and remain a Registered Social Worker.

I am the Programme Leader for MA in Social Work.

I teach on several modules including CPD courses (post SW registration).   Currently I teach on the following, but please note this varies year to year;

  • SW7022 Sociology and Social Policy
  • SW6019 Resilience in Practice
  • ASYE (Merseyside Partnership)
  • NM7079 Critical Reflection
  • SW7036 Practice Development Educators
  • SW7020 Practice Educators
  • SW4011 Developing Practice in Health and Social Care (Joint programme with Shropshire LA)

I am a peer reviewer for “Practice: Social Work in Action” journal and “The Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning”.

My research interests include practice education, in particular the role of relationships and emotions within this setting. I am working on a collaborative research project with nursing colleagues examining this; we have had one paper published (see below) and are now completing a second piece of research looking at tutors perspectives and role in practice learning.

I am currently representing the Faculty of HSC in a University wide project examining the prior educational experience of students. It is known that this can impact on students’ achievements at University. We are therefore seeking to learn more so we can provide relevant support to those who would benefit from it. This should be completed in the summer of 2019.

Bailey-McHale, J.; Bailey-McHale, B.; Caffrey, B. & Ridgway, V. (2018). Using visual methodology: Social work student’s perceptions of practice and the impact on practice educators.  Practice: Social Work in Action. doi.org/10.1080/09503153.2018.1476477

BJSW Book Review  

Contributor to; Maclean, S, Finch, J. and Tedam P. (2017) SHARE A New Model for Social Work. U.K. Kirwin Maclean Associates.

Maclean, S. and Caffrey, B. (20 14) Developing a Practice Learning Curriculum – A Guide for Practice Educators. U.K. Kirwin Maclean Associates.

  • MA in Social Work
  • Registered General Nurse (MRI)
  • B.Sc. (Hons) in Sociology

I have the Practice Teacher Award, completed the Best Interest Assessor training and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

I am a Registered Social Worker (SW41793).