Tonimarie Benaton

About

I am a qualified registered Social Worker with Social Work England. I have over 16 years of experience working in the area of children, young people, and their families. I am currently undertaking a Ph.D. at the University of Derby exploring the experience of Social Workers working directly with Care Experienced Children and Young People. I am a Senior Social Work Lecturer at the University of Derby and previously worked at Nottingham Trent University as the Program Lead for the Integrated Social Work Degree.

Teaching responsibilities

BA (Hons) Social Work Degree and Development of the Integrated Social Work Apprenticeship.

2019 – 2024: External Examiner Hertfordshire University – MSc Social Work and BSc Social Work.

Professional interests

Supporting Social Work and Social Care Professional Development and Care.

Research interests

Care experienced children and young people
Understanding substance use and rehabilitation
Various trauma in students
Understanding the experiences of dyslexic students undertaking doctorate study.

Membership of professional bodies

I am a member of the British Association of Social Work (BASW) and sit as the Chair for the regional Derby/s and Nott/s Branch. I am a member of Social Work England (SWE).

Qualifications

2019: Currently undertaking Professional Doctorate Study
2000/2001: BA Hons Degree incorporating a Diploma in applied Social Work
2004/5: Post Qualifying Award in Social Care
2004: Postgraduate Certificate in Child Care Social Work
2009-10: The Educator in Practice Stage 2
2018: PG Certificate in Higher Education

Recent conferences

Conferences in 2024 - 6th International Conference on Developments in Doctoral Education & Training and the 13th European Conference for Social Work Research.
University of Derby My Research My Reach 2023 - Exploring How Social Workers Experience and Perceive the Participation of Care Experienced Children and Young People: A Qualitative Pilot Study:
East Midlands Doctorate EMDoc – 2023 - PGR conference 2023 change transformation through doctoral research (International collaboration).
BASW July 2023 – Seminar to Nott/s-Derby/s Regional Branch: https://www.basw.co.uk/events/basw-england-derbyshire-nottighamshire-branch-event-hearing-voice-care-experienced-children.
Research Showcase 2022 College of health psychology and social care. Poster Presentation – PhD - Polit study.
2019 – Barriers to IPL – Advance HEI Conference – Workshop and Poster presentation.
2018 – Teaching and Learning Conference Derby University.
2018 – Barriers to Interprofessional Working – Vassa International Conference Finland

Experience in industry

I am a Social Worker registered with Social Work England, with over 16 years of hands-on experience in supporting children, young people, and their families. Throughout my career, I have undertaken pivotal roles, including working in areas such as the adoption and fostering of children in care. I have been employed as a Training and Education Officer and as an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) and Independent Visitor.

Recent publications

Exploring How Social Workers Experience and Perceive the Participation of Care Experienced Children and Young People: A Qualitative Pilot Study: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09503153.2023.2208788
Derbyshire County Council: Post 16 Pilot Project – Evaluation. Authors: Tonimarie Benaton (Senior Social Work Lecturer) and Rachael Milczarek (Creative Education Consultant).
BAC and Derby of University co-create a series of videos to show what the BAC does and what rehab entails: https://www.bacandoconnor.co.uk/stories/. Access via the UoD - https://derby.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Sessions/List.aspx#folderID=%22fcbfaa82-e3e1-4a80-9c44-afb10106abc2%22
2019 - 2021 –Chapter for Placement Book – Resilience on placement. https://www.criticalpublishing.com/a-students-guide-to-placements-in-health-and-social-care-settings
2019 – 2021 Study – Research of Various Trauma of Students on Placement – BJSW https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article-abstract/52/7/4280/6555982
2019 – 2021 – Involvement with Curious Monkey Organisation – Research (Lead Professor: Alex Nunn) and Involvement in Cluster research group - Contested Cultures of Care – Research with and for the Plus One Community – Published in Children and Society Journal 2020. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/chso.12370