Peter Meech Email & Phone Number

Prior to studying Social Work, I had completed a Level 3 qualification in Childcare and Education. During this time, I had recognised the passion I have for working with children. During one of my placements, I had worked with children with special educational needs and complicated home environments. During this time, I had worked with the children to ensure they felt listened to and supported during their time at school. This had led to my new found interesting and idea of wanting to study social work at university. Whilst I was studying at the University of Northampton, I had attended Northampton Children’s Trust Family Safeguarding and Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service for my student placements. During my time working with both organisations, I have been able to develop a wealth of knowledge and experience of working with vulnerable adults and children. I had recognised that I built a good ability to build effecting working rapports with the children and adults quickly. This had been beneficial to be able to offer effective support to the service users as I had developed a good understanding of their situations and needs.Whilst studying Ba Hons Social Work, I recognised a lack of teaching around trauma and the impact this has on the people we work with in front line social work practice. I had dedicated my dissertation to research into trauma, the impact of trauma on children/adolescents and how social workers can practice in a trauma informed and trauma aware way to support service users. After graduating from university, I began to work with Cambridgeshire County Council where I have been working in the Family Safeguarding Team. During this time, I have been able to further development my knowledge of social work legislation, theories and begun to apply what I learned from my dissertation research, regarding trauma informed practice, into my practice with children and their families.