UCD School of Applied Social Science

Scoil an Léinn Shóisialta Fheidhmeannaigh UCD

Ms Anna Jennings B.SocSc, M.SocSc, DASS

Contact Details

Title	Lecturer
Address	School of Applied Social Science Agnes Mcguire Building Belfield Dublin 4
Telephone:	Ext. 8590
Email:	ei.dcu@sgninnej.anna

Biography:

College Lecturer

Anna Jennings began her professional career as a social worker in a large service which caters for the needs of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She was appointed to the post of Principal Social Worker in this organisation which entailed leading an expanding team of social workers through a time of great change at service level and also at a broader professional level. Her priorities lay in the promotion of the highest possible quality of service to all who availed of a social work service and commitment to professional growth and development. In addition to the management of the social work department, supervision of colleagues and ongoing liaison with members of other disciplines, she also supervised social work students as part of their fieldwork experience and was involved in teaching modules to them as part of their academic programme.

In 2000, Anna Jennings began teaching in UCD on a half time basis, moving to a full time permanent lecturing post in 2002.
Anna provided inputs on modules to the BSocSc programme and to the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, having also assumed a significant role in the teaching and coordinating of the MSocSc (Social Work) programme. In 2008, she was
appointed to the post of Director of the MSocSc(Social Work) programme. Anna was awarded a three month research fellowship to the Centre for Disability Studies at Leeds University by EWI in 2009.

Her research interests include: Disability ¿siblings, abuse; Social work practice; Practice learning and Practice teaching. Supervision in social work practice.

Research Interests

Abuse issues in the area of Disability. Social Work Supervision and Practice Teaching.

Book Chapters

Redmond, B & Jennings, A ; (2006) 'Social Work & Intellectual Disability' In: ed. N Kearney and C Skehill (eds). Social Work in Ireland. Dublin: Institute of Public Administration. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

Jennings, A.; (2003) 'Practice Teaching A Challenge for Management'. Social Worker, 21 :1-2. [Details]

Conference Publications

Jennings,A.; (2010) The Rite of Practice Teaching 12th UK Joint Social Work Education Conference with the 4th Social Work Research Conference. University of Herfortshire [Details]

Jennings, A; (2006) Just how can student learning be facilitated on placement? Fifth International Conference on Practice Teaching and Field Education in Health and social Work York,UK, , 10-JUL-06 - 12-JUL-06 [Details]

Published Reports

Guerin, S., Jennings,A.,Redmond, B. and Egan, A. ; (2007) Mapping the Personal Experiences of Individuals with Vision impairment. Submitted to National Council for the Blind of Ireland, Dublin. School of Applied Social Science/ School of Psychology. [Details]

Guerin,S. Jennings, A. Redmond, B. and Devitt, C.; (2005) Exploring the needs of Children and Young People with Sight Impairment attending Mainstream Schools. Dept of Social Policy and Social Work / Dept of Psychology. UCD, Dublin. Submitted to National Council for the Blind of Ireland. [Details]

Reports

Jennings A (Devitt, C, Guerin, S, Jennings A and Redmond, B); (2005) Exploring the needs of children and young people with sight impairment attending mainstream schools. Dublin: Reports [Details]

Articles

Jennings , A ; (2003) 'Practice Teaching ' A Challenge to Management'. Articles [Details]

Associations

Association: St. Anns Centre for People with Learning Disability. Roscrea, Co.Tipperary., Function/Role: *

Association: IASW. (Irish Association of Social Workers), Function/Role: *

Association: SWIM. (Social Workers in Learning Disability), Function/Role: *

Association: NOPT. (National Organisation of Practice Teachers) UK., Function/Role: *

Association: DFI. (Disability Federation of Ireland)., Function/Role: *

Teaching Interests

I coordinate two modules on the MSocSc(Social Work) programme: SPOL 40200 and SPOL 40130.

SPOL 40200 is a module which is delivered to Year Two students and entails introducing students to a broad range of topics within the general health area. In addition to elements of this module which I teach, I also invite a number of key practitioners who are working in the area. I place a lot of emphasis on the service user dimension in this module and include people who have personal experiences of such services.

SPOL 40130. Counselling Social Work Skills. This entails introducing first year students to the core skills which they will draw on in their practice as professional social workers. This module is delivered in small groups where students record role play scenarios which are then reviewed by members of their peer group and myself.

I also contribute to SPOL 40100: Introduction to Professional Practice. In this particular element of the module (Preparation for Practice) I prepare students for moving into the world of actual practice which they will experience in a range of fieldwork settings. In addition to this, I host training / support groups for Practice Teachers who supervise students while on placement.