Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Professional Bodies & Organisations
Initiatives / Conferences / Presenting
References
Timeline
Generic
Dylan Sloan

Dylan Sloan

Newtownabbey,Antrim and Newtownabbey

Summary

PhD researcher specialising in school social work with extensive knowledge of the Northern Ireland education system. Renowned for contributions to children's rights, education, child protection, and safeguarding. Regularly invited to and actively participates in both international and national conferences to present research findings and collaborate with other experts. Continues to practise as a school social worker to stay connected to first-hand practice and maintain up-to-date knowledge from the ground, and is open to new opportunities. Committed to advancing knowledge and practices that support the well-being and development of children.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

PhD Researcher

Ulster University
Derry, Londonderry
09.2022 - Current
  • Presented research findings, objectives and challenges in team meetings to further explore strategy.
  • Evaluated research findings to provide key development insight.
  • Conducted research and reported on findings to supervisory team
  • Resolved unexpected issues with strong communication and resourceful problem-solving.
  • Managed research database, enforcing all data security protocols to reduce vulnerabilities.
  • Coordinated with mentors to progress personal professional development.
  • Attended international and national conferences to gain and share knowledge and present on research.
  • Oversaw daily activities and special projects for research into School Social Work in Northern Ireland.
  • Experience in Level 5 marking, assessment and feedback
  • Experience teaching Level 5 students on the BSc (Sons) social work course

School social worker

Abbey Community College
Newtownabbey
08.2022 - Current
  • Supported families, pupils, and schools with numerous aspects including food poverty, mental health and general well-being.
  • Supported staff and worked in partnership with Education Welfare Service in supporting attendance improvement.
  • Built positive, productive client relationships for enhanced social support.
  • Attended regular child protection, family support and looked after child meetings in conjunction with statutory social services.
  • Maintained confidential case documentation in line with data protection regulations.
  • Ensured thorough child safeguarding and welfare through diligent monitoring and risk assessments.
  • Assessed and evaluated school services, offering improvement strategies to enhance well-being and support the preventative curriculum.
  • Provided mental health support to service users, as well as signposting community resources and local charities.
  • Partnered with external support networks to deliver holistic client care.

School Social Worker

Hazelwood Integrated College
Newtownabbey
10.2017 - 08.2021

Please see above for job role and responsibilities of a school-based social worker.

Director

Camp Huntington Special Needs Camp
High Falls, New York
10.2018 - 01.2022
  • Design, deliver, and evaluate camp program that meets the needs and interests of the camps target populations and ensure their delivery in a safe and quality manner.
  • Develop and implement crisis and risk management procedures.
  • Oversee the financial management and fund development operations to allow for adequate annual funding and to meet long-term goals. Currently managing a budget of over 1 million dollars.
  • Prepare and analyse enrolment trends.
  • Develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies.
  • Implement human resource management practices to recruit and retain seasonal and year round staff. Recruit staff based on camper enrolment and program management requirements.
  • Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate seasonal and year-round staff; seasonally55 direct care staff, 10 senior leadership staff, 12 nursing staff, an Occupational Therapist, Physio Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist and a Tutor, 7 support staff, 12 program staff s

Education

Doctor of Philosophy - Social Work

Ulster University
Northern Ireland
09/2022 -

Master of Science - Applied Behaviour Analysis

Queen's University of Belfast
Belfast
09/2019 - 09/2020

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Ulster University
Northern Ireland
09/2015 - 07/2017

Skills

  • Specialist school social work knowledge
  • Problem-solving
  • Strategic Planning
  • Leadership
  • Programme development
  • Data analysis
  • Qualitative research

Professional Bodies & Organisations

Northern Ireland Social Care Council - Registered Social Worker

British Association of Social Work - Independent Plus Member 

The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Member 

International Federation of Social Work - Member 

European Social Work Research Association - Member 

Association of Higher Education - Member 

School Social Work Network (Education Authority) - Member

Initiatives / Conferences / Presenting

2024

European Social Work Association Research Conference, Vilnius, Lithuania:

Poster Presentation 

Department of Education Northern Ireland Attendance Summit Conference:

Presenter 

2023

International Federation of Social Work Conference, Prague, Czech Republic:

Seminar Presenter

10th Social Work Research Conference, Belfast, Northern Ireland: 

Poster Presentation 

NISCC 'Care to Chat' Podcast, Belfast, Northern Ireland: 

Presenter

NISCC Seminar on School Social Work, Belfast, Northern Ireland:

Presenter

2022

The Fostering Network Conference, Belfast, Northern Ireland:

Seminar Presenter

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

PhD Researcher

Ulster University
09.2022 - Current

School social worker

Abbey Community College
08.2022 - Current

Director

Camp Huntington Special Needs Camp
10.2018 - 01.2022

School Social Worker

Hazelwood Integrated College
10.2017 - 08.2021

Doctor of Philosophy - Social Work

Ulster University
09/2022 -

Master of Science - Applied Behaviour Analysis

Queen's University of Belfast
09/2019 - 09/2020

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Ulster University
09/2015 - 07/2017
Dylan Sloan