![Lee Sobo-Allen BA, MA. DipSW PhD](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/5854?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Lee Sobo-Allen
BA, MA. DipSW PhD
research associate cascade
Overview
After qualifying as a social worker at the University of Manchester in 1998, I worked in the areas of child protection, children with disabilities and adults with learning disabilities. It was whilst working in child protection that I developed an interest in, the need to engage with fathers in childcare social work as both a risk and a resource. This interest has continued through my studies and teaching in social work education at a number of universities. Through an MA in Child Care Law and Practice, I was able to explore the socio-legal context of this engagement.
After completing an MA in Social Research at the University of Leeds, I completed a PhD at Cardiff University in 2023, where I explored the engagement of non-resident fathers by social workers as alternative carers for their children. Other research interests in this area include, fathers and alcohol and substance abuse, and fathers and domestic abuse.
I have extensive experince in social work education, and previoulsy specialised in the teaching of all aspects of social work law with a particular specialism in child care legislation.
In my role at Cardiff University I will be involved the family group conferencing for children and families (Family VOICE) study, exploring the quality and effectiveness of family group conferences (FGCs). As part of the research team based at Cardiff University, I will be involved in a UK-wide survey to identify where FGCs are/are not taking place to better understand the extent and nature of FGCs in the UK.
Publication
2024
- Salonen, D. et al. 2024. Being and becoming a father in the context of heavy drinking and other substance use - a qualitative evidence synthesis. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy 31(2), pp. 163-178. (10.1080/09687637.2023.2167650)
2020
- Haworth, S. and Sobo-Allen, L. 2020. Social work with single and non-resident fathers: How inclusive is our practice and where do we go from here?. In: Raju Nikku, B. ed. Global Social Work - Cutting Edge Issues and Critical Reflections. Intech Open, (10.5772/intechopen.90641)
2018
- Storhaug, A. S. and Sobo-Allen, L. 2018. Fathers and child welfare services in Norway: self-concept and fathering practice. Families, Relationships and Societies 7(3), pp. 483-498. (10.1332/204674317X14888886530304)
Articles
- Salonen, D. et al. 2024. Being and becoming a father in the context of heavy drinking and other substance use - a qualitative evidence synthesis. Drugs: Education, Prevention, and Policy 31(2), pp. 163-178. (10.1080/09687637.2023.2167650)
- Storhaug, A. S. and Sobo-Allen, L. 2018. Fathers and child welfare services in Norway: self-concept and fathering practice. Families, Relationships and Societies 7(3), pp. 483-498. (10.1332/204674317X14888886530304)
Book sections
- Haworth, S. and Sobo-Allen, L. 2020. Social work with single and non-resident fathers: How inclusive is our practice and where do we go from here?. In: Raju Nikku, B. ed. Global Social Work - Cutting Edge Issues and Critical Reflections. Intech Open, (10.5772/intechopen.90641)
Biography
Education and Qualificiations
PhD Social Sciences – Cardiff University 2015-2022
MA Social Research – The University of Leeds 2012-2014
Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Development (Teaching Qualification -Higher Education) – The University of Huddersfield 2009-2010
MA Child Care Law and Practice – Keele University 2007-2009
Diploma in Social Work – University of Manchester. 1996 – 1998
BA (Hons) Social Work and Social Policy – University of Hull. 1991 – 1994
BTEC HND Business and Finance – Gwent College of Higher Education. 1989 – 1991
Professional memberships
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
British Association of Social Work
Academic positions
Academic Visitor – The School of Social and Political Science, The University of Edinburgh 2024 - ongoing
Senior Lecturer in Social Work – Leeds Beckett University - 2016 - 2023
Senior Lecturer in Social Work - Sheffield Hallam University - 2014 - 2016
Lecturer in Social Work –The University of Leeds- 2008- 2014
Senior Lecturer in Social Work – The University of Huddersfield - 2006 –2008
Committees and reviewing
Member of the Advisory Group to support the research project by the Nuffield Foundation, The University of Sheffield and Action for Children - Virtual Parent Support Portals: Towards a new research and practice agenda. 2024 - ongoing
Member of ISAFE Advisory Group to support the research project by IPSOS, CASCADE, The Fatherhood Institute, and WWEICSC -A full-scale randomised controlled trial of the Improving Safeguarding through Audited Father-Engagement (ISAFE) training programme which aims to improve local authority children’s service’s engagement with fathers. 2023 - ongoing
Member of the British Association of Social Work (BASW) Policy, Ethics and Human Rights Committee -2023 - ongoing
Associate Editor – Child Abuse Review - 2021- ongoing
Volunteer and member of their Steering Committee at Leeds Dads Voluntary Organisation - 2021 - ongoing
External Examiner – Ulster University – BA (Hons) (Recognised Graduate Route) Social Work - 2017 - 2022
Endorsement Reviewer – The College of Social Work - 2011- 2015
External Examiner - The University of Sheffield – BA (Hons.) Social Work 2012 - 2014