Improving children's chances

Professor Donald Forrester joined the University earlier this year and is an expert in child and family social work.

In the latest edition of Challenge Cardiff, the University’s research magazine, he spoke to Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker for Children and Families for England, about his new role. He also looked at how his research aims to identify what makes good social work practice and how that can be used to improve outcomes for children and families.

Professor Forrester took up the role as Professor of Child and Family Social Work and Director of CASCADE, the Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre, in January 2016.

A well-known and influential figure in his field, Professor Forrester’s research focuses on improving the quality of social work practice. His work as a leading evaluative researcher makes him well-placed to contribute to the School of Social Sciences’ record of impacting upon public debate, policy development and practice-based innovations.

In his Challenge Cardiff interview, Professor Forrester discusses his background as a social worker, how his research draws on his practice experience, the role of social work in helping people and improving outcomes, his previous work with Welsh Government, and his aims for CASCADE.

Download the latest Challenge Cardiff to read the full interview. You can also watch the interview below or on the University's Youtube channel.