Biography
Dr. Samantha Phippard is an NIHR Pre-doctoral Fellow, where she has researched mental health interventions for looked-after children in acute social care need. Samantha is a Social Worker, Play Therapist, and Local Authority Manager, overseeing multidisciplinary teams and leading early help initiatives. Her experience spans the UK and international settings, including service development and project management roles. Samantha holds a Doctorate in Education from Winchester University. Her thesis explored creative participatory methods for engaging children in research. She is currently involved in multiple research projects focused on supporting children with social workers.
Publications
Gibbs, J., Coughlan, B., Morgan, T., Mikushnica, A., Phippard, S., Crozier-Roche, F., Drayak, T., Graham, D., Smith, J., & Duschinsky, R. (2025). Which Factors in a Child Welfare Worker’s Environment Influence Their Decision-Making About Neglect? A Systematic Narrative Literature Review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380251320987 Phippard, S. (2025). Fostering Change for Social Transformation: Challenges and Opportunities of the World Cafe on St Helena. Groupwork, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.1921/gpwk20242204
Gibbs, J. Coughlan, B. Morgan, T. Mikushnica, A. Phippard, S. Crozier-Roche, F. Drayak, F. Graham, D. Smith, J. Duschinsky, R. Social Workers’ Perceptions of the Nature of Child Neglect: A Systematic Literature Review, (2024). The British Journal of Social Work, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcae102
Phippard, S., Ball, K. and Paulson, N. (2023) Creating space for dialogue: Exploring what matters for children on St Helena Island through The World Café https://doi.org/10.1177/14733250231200484
