Jo Starzacher

I am a registered social worker and qualified Best Interests Assessor and have worked as a part-time lecturer at the University of Brighton since 2021. After qualifying as a social worker in 2004, I built extensive experience in local authority settings, supporting adults living with complex physical and mental health needs, disabilities, and dementia. My practice has centred on fostering independence, promoting self-determination, and enhancing quality of life through collaborative partnerships with individuals and their support networks.

A person-centred, strengths-based approach underpins my social work practice and this has influenced my identity as an academic. My teaching practice integrates relational, compassionate and inclusive pedagogies, aligning closely with core social work values. I have a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice and am a Fellow of Advance HE.

Alongside teaching and supporting students, I co-ordinate social work student placements in collaboration with partner agencies across statutory and PVI sectors. I’m passionate about enhancing placement experiences and support not only for students but also for supervisors and practice educators, recognising their crucial contribution to professional learning.

I am particularly interested in issues related to dementia, physical and neurological disabilities, carers rights, and themes of autonomy, choice, and control in adult social care. I am currently engaged in a research project examining how social care staff understand and respond to social isolation and loneliness in their work with older adults.