About Jill Childs

I am an Oxford based consultant, author and academic, currently working internationally on a number of social work and social justice related projects. I have 28 years of experience as a qualified social worker working in statutory and non statutory settings including being the Dual Diagnosis lead for Assertive Outreach and leading the award winning Elmore team. Life has brought me the fortune of consistent global travel, including fourteen visits to the continent of Africa. I'm a mum to Amy 15, partner of Paul, and carer for my mum Gwen 93. Yoga keeps me steady!

You can visit my profiles at Advance HE and the International Federation of Social Workers. I was awarded the title of Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2020 for my work to decolonise the curriculum.

My book Social Work and Mental Health: A Decolonised Approach to Theory and Practice, illustrates my particular expertise as both a practitioner and academic in the field of mental health for 30 years.

This groundbreaking book offers a critical, global perspective on mental health social work, aimed at both pre- and post-qualifying students. Moving beyond basic introductions, it presents a decolonised, holistic approach that challenges traditional models. By incorporating innovative ideas and indigenised practices, it seeks to transform mental health social work. Essential for future practitioners, this text inspires a new vision for the field, making it a must-read for those committed to advancing mental health social work.

My work focuses on cross cultural (global north/south) collaboration and governance, as well as UK based support and consultancy.

Media and other presentations include:

• 2021 Black History Month interview on anti-racism, BBC Radio Oxford

• 2023 University of Hull, UK

• 2023 Makerere University, Uganda (Ubuntu Partnership)

• 2024 University of Rwanda (Ubuntu Partnership)

• 2024 Sheffield Hallam University, UK