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4. Hilary Jenkinson

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Biography

Hilary Jenkinson has been a lecturer at the School of Applied Social Studies since 1994.  Previously she worked as a researcher,  as a social worker with young people and in residential care settings. Currently Hilary teaches in the areas of groupwork and social work with young people across a number of courses in the School including, the Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work programmes.
   
Hilary has been Director of the Bachelor of Social Work programme in the School of Applied Social Studies from 2008-2014.
  
Hilary is a research associate with the Institute for Social Science in the 21st Century (ISS21), and a member of the children and youth research cluster. Her research interests include staff support and supervision in youth work, fatherhood,  young people's experiences of social work, and youth workers' experiences of challenging behaviour.
  Hilary is a peer reviewer for the journals Child Care in Practice , Groupwork , and The British Journal of Social Work. Hilary’s community activities include running a group for fathers (Just for Dads) in Springboard Family Support Project in Knocknaheeny in Cork, and has been a member of the Board of EPIC (Empowering People in Care) 2015-2019.
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Research Interests

Hilary commenced her career in the Department of Applied Social Studies as a Research Officer carrying out action research in an arts based pilot project in Tralee, for young people who had left school early. Her research focus has continued in the area of youth and has focused on both early school leaving, developing a social work curriculum which adequately prepares professionals to work effectively with young people, and addressing challenging behaviour in youth settings. In subsequent years her research focus has also encompassed the area of stress, staff support and supervision within the helping professions and she provides consultancy to a number of agencies in relation to the above.  She has made a significant contribution in relation to researching and collating information regarding the history and development of youth work in Ireland. 

Hilary's most recent research project is funded by the Irish Research Council and concerns the barriers experienced by marginalised young people in accessing third level education. The findings of this study are to to be published by Policy Press in a forthcoming book The Making of a Left-Behind Class.
Hilary is a research associate with the Institute for Social Science in the 21st Century (ISS21), and is a member of the children and youth research cluster.
 
She has also made a contribution to the literature within a social work context regarding developing best practice with social work with adolescents. In addition she has made contributions to youth work publications regarding the prevalence of stress and the importance of receiving adequate support and supervision within the profession. 
   
In 2010 Hilary carried out a piece of research which explored the experiences of youth workers dealing with challenging behaviour within a youth work setting. This is a qualitative study involving over 40 youth work practitioners in Ireland. The aims of the study are to explore the nature of challenging behaviour within a youth work context, and also identify effective practice in managing this behaviour. She has presented a number conference papers on this topic and has had an article published in Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties entitled 'Youth workers' experiences of challenging behaviour: lessons for practice' Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 16: 1, 35 - 46 (2011)
 

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Publications

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Peer Reviewed Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2021)	'An Exploration of the Use of Literature as a Therapeutic Intervention in Social Work' Murphy, Jennifer and Jenkinson, Hilary (2021) 'An Exploration of the Use of Literature as a Therapeutic Intervention in Social Work'. British Journal of Social Work, 51 (3):869-887 [DOI] [Details]
	(2020)	'Supporting mothers through groupwork in a community setting: An exploration of a groupwork programme' Joleen Breen, Hilary Jenkinson (2020) 'Supporting mothers through groupwork in a community setting: An exploration of a groupwork programme'. Groupwork, 28 (3):6-36   [Details]
	(2019)	'‘My biggest fear was whether or not I would make friends’: working-class students’ reflections on their transition to university in Ireland' Scanlon M.;Leahy P.;Jenkinson H.;Powell F. (2019) '‘My biggest fear was whether or not I would make friends’: working-class students’ reflections on their transition to university in Ireland'. Journal Of Further And Higher Education, [DOI] [Details]
	(2019)	'‘How are we going to do it?’ An exploration of the barriers to access to higher education amongst young people from disadvantaged communities' Margaret Scanlon, Hilary Jenkinson, Pat Leahy, Fred Powell & Olive Byrne (2019) '‘How are we going to do it?’ An exploration of the barriers to access to higher education amongst young people from disadvantaged communities'. Irish Educational Studies, 38 (3):343-357   [Details]
	(2019)	'The Value of Groupwork Knowledge and Skills in Focus Group Research: A Focus Group Approach With Marginalized Teens Regarding Access to Third-Level Education' Jenkinson, H;Leahy, P;Scanlon, M;Powell, F;Byrne, O (2019) 'The Value of Groupwork Knowledge and Skills in Focus Group Research: A Focus Group Approach With Marginalized Teens Regarding Access to Third-Level Education'. International Journal Of Qualitative Methods, 18 [DOI] [Details]
	(2019)	''No one in our family ever went to college': Parents' orientations towards their children's post-secondary education and future occupations' Scanlon, M;Powell, F;Leahy, P;Jenkinson, H;Byrne, O (2019) ''No one in our family ever went to college': Parents' orientations towards their children's post-secondary education and future occupations'. International Journal of Educational Research, 93 :13-22 [DOI] [Details]
	(2016)	'The value of peer support and a strengths-based approach in a groupwork programme for fathers in a family support setting' Jenkinson, Hilary (2016) 'The value of peer support and a strengths-based approach in a groupwork programme for fathers in a family support setting'. Groupwork, 25 (3):25-40   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2013)	'Youth Work in Ireland - A Decade On' Hilary Jenkinson (2013) 'Youth Work in Ireland - A Decade On'. Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies, 13 (1)   [Details]
	(2012)	'The Mutual Benefits of Listening to Young People in Care, with a Particular Focus on Grief and Loss: An Irish Foster Carer's Perspective' Murphy, Deirdre and Jenkinson, Hilary (2012) 'The Mutual Benefits of Listening to Young People in Care, with a Particular Focus on Grief and Loss: An Irish Foster Carer's Perspective'. Child Care In Practice, 18 (3):243-253   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2011)	'`Youth workers' experiences of challenging behaviour: lessons for practice'' Jenkinson, H; (2011) '`Youth workers' experiences of challenging behaviour: lessons for practice''. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 16 (1):35-46   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2011)	'An exploration of the importance of supervision practice in the voluntary sector' Jenkinson, Hilary; (2011) 'An exploration of the importance of supervision practice in the voluntary sector'. Voluntary Sector Review, 2 (2):239-246   [DOI] [Full Text] [Details]
	(2010)	'The importance and benefits of supervision in youth work practice' Jenkinson H. (2010) 'The importance and benefits of supervision in youth work practice'. Child & Youth Services, 31 (3-4):157-169 [DOI] [Details]
	(2000)	'Youth Work in Ireland: The Struggle for Identity' Jenkinson, H. ; (2000) 'Youth Work in Ireland: The Struggle for Identity'. Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies, [Full Text] [Details]
	(1999)	'Working Effectively with Adolescents' Jenkinson, H. ; (1999) 'Working Effectively with Adolescents'. Irish Social Worker, [Full Text] [Details]
	(1997)	'Working with Youth and the Implications for Social Work Training' Jenkinson, H. ; (1997) 'Working with Youth and the Implications for Social Work Training'. The Irish Social Worker, [Full Text] [Details]
	(1996)	'Transforum Alley: Breaking New Ground in Youth Work [B3880]' Jenkinson, Hilary; (1996) 'Transforum Alley: Breaking New Ground in Youth Work [B3880]'. Irish Youth Work Scene, A Journal for Youth Workers, .Issue 15 :2-* [Details]

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Books

	Year	Publication
	(2024)	(Forthcoming) The Making of a Left-Behind Class: Educational Disadvantage, Meritocracy and Widening Participation. Powell, Fred; Scanlon, Margaret; Leahy, Pat, Jenkinson, Hilary and Byrne, Olive (2024) (Forthcoming) The Making of a Left-Behind Class: Educational Disadvantage, Meritocracy and Widening Participation. Bristol: Policy Press.   [DOI] [Details]
	(2016)	Just for Dads: a groupwork programme for fathers. Jenkinson, Hilary; Casey, Dermot; Monahan, Lynda; Magee, Denis (2016) Just for Dads: a groupwork programme for fathers. Cork: School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork and Springboard Knocknaheeny/Farranree Fam. [Full Text] [Details]

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Book Chapters

	Year	Publication
	(2025)	'Working creatively - A practitioner's perspective' Gibson, N. and Bolger, J. (eds) (2025) 'Working creatively - A practitioner's perspective' In: Gibson, N. and Bolger, J (eds). Creativity in Social Work: Approaches to Enhance Engagement, Interventions and Outcomes. UK: Springer Publications. [Details]
	(1996)	'The Development of Youth Work in Ireland' Jenkinson, H. ; (1996) 'The Development of Youth Work in Ireland' In: Youth and Community Work Course Reader Centre for Adult and Continuing Education. [Details]

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Other Journals

	Year	Publication
	(2016)	''Aftercare: We need a comprehensive service, not an after-thought'. Published in Frontline: Social Work Action Network Ireland Bulletin' Jenkinson (2016) ''Aftercare: We need a comprehensive service, not an after-thought'. Published in Frontline: Social Work Action Network Ireland Bulletin' :8-10.   [Full Text] [Details]
	(2002)	'Implementing a family youth work programme' Jenkinson, H. and Jary, H; (2002) 'Implementing a family youth work programme' Insight: Reflective Practice Journal YMCA Ireland, 1 (2) . [Details]
	(2002)	'The importance of being supervised' Jenkinson, H; (2002) 'The importance of being supervised' Young People Now, (161) . [Details]

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Conference Publications

	Year	Publication
	(2010)	International Youth and Youth Policy Conference: Meeting Youth Needs in the 21st Century Jenkinson, H; (2010) Challenging behaviour in youth work settings ¿ lessons for practice International Youth and Youth Policy Conference: Meeting Youth Needs in the 21st Century [Details]
	(2010)	SEBDA International Conference, Transforming Troubled Lives Jenkinson, H; (2010) Computers, and the relationship: the need for youth workers to develop new skills in responding to the challenging behaviour of young people SEBDA International Conference, Transforming Troubled Lives [Details]

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Published Reports

	Year	Publication
	(2020)	Widening Participation in Irish Higher Education: Report 2020. Powell, Fred; Scanlon, Margaret; Jenkinson, Hilary (2020) Widening Participation in Irish Higher Education: Report 2020. University College Cork, Cork. [Full Text] [Details]
	(1998)	Responding to Early School Leaving in the Wexford Area. Jenkinson, H. and McMahon, S. ; (1998) Responding to Early School Leaving in the Wexford Area. Wexford Area Partnership in conjunction with Social Studies Research Unit, UCC, Cork. [Details]
	(1995)	Move from the Margins: Youth in Kerry. Jenkinson, H., Powell, F.W., Mulcahy, M.; (1995) Move from the Margins: Youth in Kerry. SPRU, Cork. [Details]

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Unpublished Reports

	Year	Publication
	(1995)	Move from the Margins - Evaluation Report on Kerry Diocesan Youth Service / Transforum Alley Social Policy Research Unit, UCC. Jenkinson, H. ; (1995) Move from the Margins - Evaluation Report on Kerry Diocesan Youth Service / Transforum Alley Social Policy Research Unit, UCC. Unpublished Reports [Details]

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Professional Activities

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Professional Associations

	Association	Function	From / To
	Social Workers Registration Board (CORU)	Member of Panel of Assessors	01-FEB-13 /

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Conference Contributions

	Year	Publication
	(2019)	All Ireland Social Work Researchers and Educators Forum 2019, Hilary Jenkinson (2019) (Ad)venturing beyond the boundaries of academia into social work practice with fathers. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], All Ireland Social Work Researchers and Educators Forum 2019, University of Ulster, Magee Campus, Derry , 10-JAN-19 - 11-JAN-19. [Details]
	(2018)	Joint World Conference on Social Work Education and Social Development 2018, Hilary Jenkinson, Katharina Swirak and Alastair Christie (2018) Locating fathers in contemporary family support work in the Republic of Ireland. [Oral Presentation], Joint World Conference on Social Work Education and Social Development 2018, RDS, Dublin, Ireland , 04-JUL-18 - 07-JUL-18. [Details]
	(2017)	2017 IASWG NYC Symposium: Group Work in Challenging Times: Creative Strategies for Facing Change, Jenkinson, Hilary (2017) The development and facilitation of ‘Just for Dads’ – a groupwork programme for fathers: challenges, achievements, and lessons learned. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], 2017 IASWG NYC Symposium: Group Work in Challenging Times: Creative Strategies for Facing Change, New York City University, New York , 08-JUN-17 - 11-JUN-17. [Details]
	(2016)	33rd FICE CONGRESS & 2nd CYC WORLD CONFERENCE - Together towards a better world for children, adolescents and families, Jenkinson, Hilary (2016) Aftercare in Ireland – developments, challenges, and hope for the future?. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], 33rd FICE CONGRESS & 2nd CYC WORLD CONFERENCE - Together towards a better world for children, adolescents and families, Vienna, Austria , 22-AUG-16 - 25-AUG-16. [Details]
	(2016)	Social Policy Association Annual Conference: ‘Social Policy: Radical, Resistant, Resolute’, Swirak, Katharina; Jenkinson, Hilary; and Christie, Alastair (2016) The construction of fathers and fathering in contemporary Irish family support policy and practice. [Oral Presentation], Social Policy Association Annual Conference: ‘Social Policy: Radical, Resistant, Resolute’, Belfast, Northern Ireland , 04-JUL-16 - 06-JUL-16. [Details]
	(2015)	UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre 7th Biennial International Conference: Building Family Support Systems, Jenkinson, H., Casey, D. Monahan, L., Magee, D. and Swirak, K. (2015) Engaging with fathers in practice – challenges, achievements, and lessons learnt. [Oral Presentation], UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre 7th Biennial International Conference: Building Family Support Systems, NUIG Galway . [Details]
	(2015)	The national child protection and welfare social work conference - 'Cherishing All the Children of the Nation Equally'? 100 Years and Beyond, Jenkinson, Hilary; Magee, Denis; Monahan, Lynda (2015) Cherishing all of the parents of the Nation equally? - Engaging with fathers in practice. [Oral Presentation], The national child protection and welfare social work conference - 'Cherishing All the Children of the Nation Equally'? 100 Years and Beyond, University College, Cork, Ireland , 22-OCT-15 - 23-OCT-15. [Details]
	(2012)	Human Rights in Social Work, Hilary Jenkinson, Lydia Sapouna, & Mary McGovern (2012) Human rights and social work in Ireland with a focus on the Irish experience of institutionalisation. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], Human Rights in Social Work, University of Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands , 12-MAR-12 - 16-MAR-12. [Details]
	(2010)	Transforming Troubled Lives, SEBDA International Conference, Jenkinson, H; (2010) Computers, and the relationship: the need for youth workers to develop new skills in responding to the challenging behaviour of young people. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], Transforming Troubled Lives, SEBDA International Conference, Keble College, Oxford , 15-SEP-10 - 17-SEP-10. [Details]
	(2010)	International Youth and Youth Policy Conference: Meeting Youth Needs in the 21st Century, Jenkinson, H; (2010) Challenging behaviour in youth work settings - lessons for practice. [Invited Seminars/Guest Lectures], International Youth and Youth Policy Conference: Meeting Youth Needs in the 21st Century, University College, Cork, Ireland , 12-MAY-10 - 12-MAY-10. [Details]
	(2009)	YMCA National Conference, Jenkinson, H; (2009) Responding to challenging behaviour in young people. [Invited Lectures (Conference)], YMCA National Conference, Dublin, Ireland , 15-OCT-09 - 15-OCT-09. [Details]
	(1995)	The Future of Social Work in Ireland, Jenkinson, H; (1995) Conference co-organiser. [Conference Organising Committee Member], The Future of Social Work in Ireland, UCC , 01-OCT-95 - 01-OCT-95. [Details]

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Committees

	Committee	Function	From / To
	Cork YMCA Board of Management	*	1995 / 1999
	Board of EPIC (Empowering People in Care)	Board member	2015 / 2019

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Employment

	Employer	Position	From / To
	Applied Social Studies, University College Cork	College Lecturer	/
	University College Cork	Research Assistant	01-MAY-93 / 01-SEP-94
	Nazareth Children's Home, Tralee, Co. Kerry.	Assistant House Parent	01-JAN-90 / 01-OCT-91

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Education

	Year	Institution	Qualification	Subject
	1989	University College Dublin	Bachelor of Social Science
	1993	University College Cork	MSW

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Consultancy

	Client	Description
	YMCA Ireland	Provision of training and mentoring in relation to staff support and supervision policies and procedures in YMCA Ireland
	Youth Work Ireland/Irish Youth Work Centre	Provision of consultancy training in Dealing with Challenging Behaviour in Young People for Youth Work Ireland/Irish Youth Work Centre

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Outreach Activities

	Description
	Member of the Board of EPIC (Empowering People in Care). EPIC is an independent association that works throughout the Republic of Ireland, with and for children and young people who are currently living in care or who have had an experience of living in care. This includes those in residential care, foster care, hostel, high support & special care. EPIC also works with young people preparing to leave care and in aftercare.
	Co-facilitator of 'Just for Dads' - a fathers' group run by Springboard Family Support Project in Knocknaheeny, Cork

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Journal Activities

	Journal	Role	To / From
	Child Care In Practice	Referee	01-MAY-08 -
	Groupwork	Referee	04-JUL-16 -
	British Journal Of Social Work	Referee	01-NOV-13 -

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Other Activities

Description

Research Related Consultancy 2001 - 2008: Implementing staff support and supervision policies and procedures in YMCA Ireland 2007 - present: Provision of consultancy training in Dealing with Challenging Behaviour in Young People for Youth Work Ireland/Irish Youth Work Centre 2007 - present: Provision of consultancy training in Supervision in Youth Work For Youth Work Ireland/Irish Youth Work Centre

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Teaching Activities

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Teaching Interests

Hilary teaches in the areas of groupwork and social work with young people across a number of courses in the School, including the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work Courses. She endeavours to apply principles of experiential and reflective learning models to her teaching which aim to advance students' learning through participation, reflection, interaction and reflection. Students are facilitated to engage in a process of critical analysis of professional knowledge in light of their own life and professional experiences, thus furthering the development of their own professional identities.