Catherine Phillips

Catherine completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a postgraduate degree in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Catherine implemented the knowledge that she acquired from the courses in her previous role as a Family Support Worker. She assisted children and families with complex needs: domestic abuse, homelessness, mental health issues, substance mis-use, unemployment and learning disabilities. She completed assessments, collated support plans, and provided a home visiting service.

Due to the role, Catherine is interested in conducting research to determine the impact that complicating factors have on parenting practices and child outcomes. For the PhD, she will focus on parental mental ill-health and the effect that home visiting has on parenting skills, and children's emotional development. She hopes that the results will improve the service that children and families receive from voluntary organisations, and influence policy development within this area.