Karen Hewer

Karen is principal practice tutor in the North West region. Karen qualified in 1994 and worked initially in the voluntary sector and then in the statutory sector for 22 years before joining Frontline. She has been a social worker, team manager and service manager across child in need and child protection services, and was a consultant social worker for the first two cohorts of Frontline participants. She then joined Frontline as a practice tutor in 2016.

Research interests

How to support an effective transition from student to qualified social work practitioner.

How to apply systemic theory, motivational interviewing and parenting intervention practice models in a social care setting.

The role of analysis and critical thinking in child and family social work.

Selected publications

Contributor to Research in Practice Change project – Analysis and Critical Thinking in Assessment (2012, revised 2014).

Teaching

Karen has facilitated training on behalf of the Children’s Safeguarding Board over many years and across a range of child protection issues. She has a particular interest in developing critical thinking and analytical skills. She teaches at the Frontline summer institute and across the academic curriculum.