Jo Strang

Biography

Jo was educated at Leicester University gaining her BSc in Sociology in 1996 and her MA in Social Work with DipSW in 1999. Before qualifying as a social worker, Jo gained a variety of experience including Youth Work, teaching English as a foreign language, working for the National Autistic Society, volunteering on an independent living scheme and spending short amounts of time volunteering on projects in Edinburgh, Sardinia and Japan with International Voluntary Service (IVS). On qualifying, Jo went to work for Kent County Council as a Children and Families Social Worker. She then returned to Leicester to work on a specialist team undertaking intensive short-term work with families. Her next job at The Centre for Fun and Families entailed running groupwork programmes for parents experiencing difficulties with their children’s behaviour. She developed a groupwork programme for teenagers that complimented the parenting programme. This has now been widely delivered in Leicester and Leicestershire. At this time Jo undertook her Practice Teacher’s Award. Jo moved on to work for ChildLine, firstly as the East Midlands and East Anglia CHIPS (ChildLine in Partnership with Schools) Co-ordinator and then as the Training and Outreach Co-ordinator for Scotland. This role involved training children, young people and adults in many areas linked to anti-bullying issues and positive peer relations. Until recently Jo has been working for Action for Children, managing a Family Support Project in Glasgow. Whilst in Scotland she also undertook a post-qualifying course at Edinburgh University ‘Listening to Children, research and consultation skills’. She has received training from Brief in solution-focused approaches and is trained as a Family Group Conference Facilitator and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills) trainer. Jo undertakes some freelance work completing form F assessments of prospective foster carers. Jo’s interests lie in direct work with children and families to try and affect positive change.

Research Interest

Childhood, Social work & Social care