Simon Gittins

Current Role

I am the Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Social Work at the University of the West of Scotland. 

Background Profile

I have worked across several local authority justice departments in Scotland as a justice social worker and team leader. Throughout my social work practice, I have focused on rehabilitation and risk management of people convicted of causing significant harm. I was an accredited group work facilitator and managed people convicted of sexual and violent offending. 

I was part of a strategic group that created and implemented National Standards for MAPPA Level 1 processes across Scotland.

I moved into academia directly from practice. I was employed as a social work lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian Univeristy, before moving to my current position at the University of the West of Scotland.

I am an active External Examiner for social work university programmes.  

Research Interests

My research interests stem from my social work justice employment and my teaching interests. I have a research interest in sexual offending, rehabilitation and risk management, Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and public protection.

I am currently undertaking a PhD focusing on restorative justice in Scotland, as a response to sexual offending.  

Professional Membership

-          Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)

-          National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance

-          National Organisation for the Treatment of Abuse (NOTA)