ERIS Experts - Karen Mills

Dr. Karen Mills. is Principal Lecturer and Programme Lead for the Step up to Social Work programme at the University of Hertfordshire. The Step up programme is a fast-track qualifying programme for students who want to become Children's Social Workers. Karen's teaching reflects this, and her teaching focus is social policy, substance misuse and reflective practice.

As a researcher Karen has explored the impact of social policy on practice and interventions and also substance misuse and safeguarding. Recent projects include exploration of the extent to which simulation can support the development of student empathy when working with parents in child protection.

Publications

  • Abbott, L. & Mills, K. (2022) Medications and recreational drug use in Peate, I. & Hamilton, C. (eds). Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Midwives. Wiley.
  • Mills, K. (2004). Reducing Drug Related Deaths: the responsibility of NOMS? Probation Journal. Vol. 51 No. 4 December 2004.
  • Mills, K. (2009). Racism, Ethnicity and Drug Misuse: a brief introduction in Bhui, H.S. (ed.) (2009). Race and Criminal Justice. London: Sage.
  • Mills, K. (2012). Under the radar: Impact of policies of localism on substance misuse services for refugee and asylum seeking communities. International Social Work, 55(5), 662-674. doi: 10.1177/0020872812447637
  • Mills, K. (2017). Delivering Drug Treatment to New Minority Communities: Fresh Perspectives (Doctoral Dissertation) University of Hertfordshire.
  • Mills, K. (2021) Balancing Risk and Need: substance misuse and perinatal women in Abbott, L. (ed) Complex Social Issues and Perinatal Mental Health for Health and Social Care Professionals.
  • Mills, K., Davies, K. & Brooks, S. (2007). Experiences of DTTO: the person in the process. British Journal of Community Justice. Volume 5, Issue 3. November 2007.
  • Mills, K. and Knight, T. (2009). Offering substance misuse services to Accession Eight Migrants in London: findings from a qualitative study, Drugs: education, prevention and policy, 2009; 1–17. doi: 10.3109/09687630903200777
  • Whiting, L., Petty, J., Roberts, S., Littlechild, B. & Mills, K. (Accepted/in press) Gaining an empathetic insight into parenting: Evaluating infant simulation dolls for professional learning. Health and Social Work.

Reports

  • Mills, K. & Brooks, S. (2005). In Working with Offenders Subject to Drug Treatment and Testing Orders, what Best Supports Compliance? London: London Probation Area.
  • Mills, K., Brooks, S., Sender, H. & Green, R. (2006). Accessing Drug Services in Peterborough: a study of black and minority communities. Hatfield: Centre for Community Research University of Hertfordshire. Retrieved February, 2nd, 2009 from http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/publication-search/dip/Peterborough_BME_report?view=Standard&pubID=456186
  • Mills, K., Broome, K. and Green, R. (2008). Beyond Boundaries 2: A8 & A2 nationals in London: drug treatment needs and referral pathways. London: National Treatment Agency
  • Mills, K., Knight, T. & Green, R. (2007). Beyond Boundaries: offering substance misuse services to new migrants in London. London: National Treatment Agency.

Updated: 07. 08. 2023