Hannah Kingsford

About

I joined the Centre for Health Services Studies in April 2023, as a Research and Training Fellow with Kent Research Partnership, one of six capacity building social care partnerships funded nationally (NIHR).

My research explores well-being and burnout in the social work workforce, specifically through the lens of formation and maintenance of professional identity, motivations for joining the profession, and professional values and morals.

Practice Experience

I have worked in frontline adult social care since qualifying and registering as a social worker in October 2018. I initially registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, and am now registered with Social Work England. I have worked mainly with adults with learning disabilities and/or mental health diagnoses. I am completing my research fellowship as part of a secondment from my role as a social worker with Kent County Council.

Research Interests

My interests lie specifically around workforce issues, particularly well-being and burnout, professional identity, values and morals, and the challenges of working in adult social care. I am also interested in improving the links between research and everyday frontline practice.

Qualifications

MA Social Work Practice (Think Ahead) – University of York, 2018-2019

Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work – University of York, 2017-2018

MSc Foundations in Clinical Psychology and Mental Health – University of Sussex, 2014-2015

BSc (Hons) Psychology with Neuroscience – University of Sussex, 2011-2014