Staff profile

I am a Research Associate in the School of Applied Social Sciences currently working on two projects, namely Longitudinal Evaluation of the Step Up to Social Work Programme (also see https://www.facebook.com/CareersinSocialWork) and Think Ahead Social Work Qualifying Programme Evaluation.

I joined the School of Applied Social Sciences in 2010 when I was awarded a Durham Doctoral Studentship and successfully defended my PhD thesis in 2014. Prior to studying in Durham University, I graduated from Saint-Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance in Russia.

Between 2006 and 2008 I participated in a social project which developed social advertising for looked after children as well as promoted the practice of adoption in a children’s home in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Since 2009 I have been an active member of the two largest Non-Governmental Organizations in Saint-Petersburg called Petersburg’s Parents and Step Forward, both work very closely with looked after children.

• Research with looked after children and care leavers
• Residential care for children
• Child development
• Interventions with children and young people
• Participatory research
• Child maltreatment

Journal Article

• Hope, S., Stepanova, E., Lloyd-Houldey, O., Hillier-Brown, F., Hargreaves, D., Nicholls, D., …Scott, S. (in press). This needs to be a journey that we’re actually on together’—the introduction of integrated care systems for children and young people in England: a qualitative study of the views of local system stakeholders during winter 2021/22. BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), Article 1448. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-10442-6
• Dedat, Z., Hope, S., Hargreaves, D., Lloyd-Houldey, O., Nicholls, D., Scott, S., …Hillier-Brown, F. (2023). Measurement Instruments for Integration within Children and Young People Healthcare Systems and Networks: A Rapid Review of the International Literature. International Journal of Integrated Care, 23(2), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.7028
• Stepanova, E., & Hackett, S. (2014). Understanding Care Leavers in Russia: Young People's Experiences of Institutionalisation. Australian Social Work, 67(1), 118-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/0312407x.2013.868011
• Chechel, E. (2010). Institutionalization of Looked After Children
• Chechel, E. (2009). Socialization of Care Leavers

Report

• Kong, S., Noone, C., Quintana, A., Pharoah, C., Wills, D., Shears, J., …Hawkes, S. (2021). Social Work During Covid-19: Learning for the Future Challenges, Best Practice and Professional Transformation. British Association of Social Workers