Maxine Thompson

I am a Sub-Regional Assessor and Senior Lecturer at Kingston University, where I support apprentices undertaking the Social Work BA (Hons) Integrated Degree Apprenticeship and teach master's students preparing for their first social work practice placement. A Kingston University graduate myself (Class of 2008), I bring over 13 years of frontline and managerial experience to my academic roles, having led teams in both children looked after by the Local Authority and early help services.

As a qualified practice educator and certified suicide first aider, I am deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of social workers. I advocate for professional credibility, evidence-based practice, cultural competence, and cultural humility. My passion for trauma-informed approaches is rooted in my early placement within a crisis mental health team and further developed through training at the Anna Freud Centre.

I am a champion of compassionate leadership and believe that managers play a pivotal role in shaping resilient, reflective, and ethically grounded practitioners. I strive to role model the standards and values set by Social Work England, ensuring that students enter the profession with integrity, empathy, and a strong sense of purpose.

• Fellow of Advance Higher Education Academy
• ILM Level 5 Award in Leadership
• Practice Teaching Certificate
• BA (Hons) Social Work