My practice background was in residential work as a practitioner and manager. I moved into staff development as a CSS Study supervisor in 1983, and then became a practice teaching officer. I moved into the academic world of De Montfort University in 1992 to lead the Residential Child Care Initiative. I was co-director with Chris Payne of the centre for Social Care Studies, a joint DMU and NISW project from 1996. The Centre offered information, advice and research to the 'provider' side of social work. I have been Programme Leader of four different social work programmes whilst at DMU.