How to Thrive in Professional Practice

Stephen J Mordue has 19 years' experience in social work, initially as a practitioner and team manager working with older people and for the last seven years as a lecturer in social work specialising in adult care and the Mental Capacity Act and Beat Interests Assessment. He works at the University of Sunderland.

Lisa Watson has over 25 years' experience of working in health and social care settings, ranging from Occupational Therapy to Social Work. She graduated as a mature student, from Sunderland University with BA (Hons) Social Work in 2008.

Following job demands and burnout, she took a career break for two years and set up a holistic business, undertook training in mindfulness and life coaching. Spiritual in her approach to life and practice, Lisa resumed social work and passionately teaches others about the importance of professional self-care. Lisa lives in Sunderland and in her spare time enjoys reading, music and all things spiritual.

Steph Hunter has been a social worker for 23 years. During her career, she has worked in Cafcass, children and families, and substance misuse. The main focus of her career has been children's mental health and she managed an award-winning mental health service for children and adopted children for over a decade. This won three national awards and three regional NHS awards. From 2015 to 2019 Steph was a Senior Lecturer at Sunderland University.