Ms Cath Holmstrom

National Teaching Fellow 2011 Social Work education attracts intense public scrutiny. Cath Holmstrom's goal is to transform the classroom experience and to provide a range of opportunities for students to demonstrate their suitability for social work practice. Cath models the reflective approach that students need to become effective practitioners. She maximises the learning potential of the group by building students' confidence and capacity: "Cath mixes academia with real life scenarios, which bring the subject alive. She often provides insights into her own life to explain her arguments, which in turn gives me tacit permission (and confidence) to be able to do the same." Cath has national recognition within the complex arena of social work admissions and selection. The recent social work reform processes have placed the calibre of entrants under the spotlight and she has been a key contributor to the debates and policy recommendations drawing upon her extensive research in this field. Her focus upon transitions into social work education offers a carefully supported route through academic, personal and professional development. Cath places a priority upon induction, re-induction and the proactive provision of accessible and relevant support at significant transitional points throughout the student experience. Her research into the experience of younger students in social work education has international recognition. Existing pedagogic research in professional education focuses upon returners to education and support to those lacking formal or recent academic qualifications. Students seen as non-traditional in other disciplines have always been traditional students in social work. Once social work degrees opened to those under 21, Cath developed an interest in the experiences of this group of students with strong academic credentials but deemed to be lacking in life or work experiences. Her research has given voice to their experiences, even co-presenting with students at conferences. Cath has become a student on a Postgraduate Diploma in Law. Studying a new discipline at a different institution has re-connected her with significant student experience issues and she says that as well as the content of the course, she has been reminded first-hand of the importance of inspirational teaching and the provision of effective and individualised feedback.