Mrs Karen Burton FHEA, MA(PDET), Cert Ed, Dip (Health Social Welfare), Registered General Nurse

Lecturer Health Social Care/Childcare/Nursing

Commencing my career as a qualified NNEB back in the day, I then progressed to becoming a Registered General Nurse specialising in orthopaedics and then paediatrics. My career developed to working on the hospital bank alongside which I worked within the Stepping Stones project for NCH Action for Children specifically with children with additional needs. This was within a large multidisciplinary team.

I opened my own childcare business and specialised in integrating children with special needs within my groups. This business rapidly expanded and I was the manager and owner of 5 establishments.

Through working with NVQ childcare students within my groups I progressed to my assessor awards and commenced working for Neath Port Talbot College,

Shortly after I began teaching on the level 3 courses. As the colleges HE provision expanded I became a member of their team progressing to Programme Leader for FdA Care Studies firstly with University of South Wales and then with UWTSD.

Currently I am a lecturer on the BSc health and Social Care Course, Diploma in HE Nursing Studies and Health, BSc Children and Young people programmes. I am Year manager for all L5 students, External Examiner Co-ordinator and Admissions tutor for all Health and Social Care students.

Further Higher Education Academy FHEA

Academic teaching responsibilities are: Dissertation Supervisor MA(PDET) and MA Ed Level 7

Dissertation supervision level 6

Level 6 modules taught are:

• Managing Mental Health and Learning Disability
• Managing Public Health UK and Global
• Contemporary Society and the Child

Level 5 Modules taught are:

• Public Health
• Managing organisations
• Community Care
• Safeguarding Children and Young people

Level 4 Modules taught:

• Introduction to Health Research

Mature Students Perceptions of Higher Education

My expertise lies within the field of nursing and childcare. Having owned and managed my own establishments I was able to successfully apply for grants to grow the business and support children with additional needs.

External Examiner University Hull FdA Children and Young People Award

Jan 2011--  Barriers to Learning for Mature Students Studying HE in an FE College

Trustee Neath Port Talbot Women’s Aid