Sheila Leighton

Dr Sheila Leighton is a registered social worker with 26 years of safeguarding experience and over 37 years in social work and community engagement. She has worked across local authorities, education, and the voluntary sector, supporting children, families, and vulnerable adults. Sheila is committed to professional development and has been a Senior Lecturer at the University of Suffolk since November 2023.

As part of the Social Work team, Sheila is dedicated to preparing emerging practitioners to see individuals holistically, beyond labels or case numbers. She recognises the emotional and relational complexity of social work, emphasising the importance of trust, respect, and human relationships formed amid challenging times. These experiences shape her practice and teaching. With over 30 years in management and teaching, Sheila has found every encounter transformative. Whether supporting independence, witnessing reunification, or offering comfort at life’s end, these moments inform her practice and enrich her teaching. With a true understanding of herself, she believes that you learn something every day and, recently being diagnosed as Neurodivergent, she embraces her strengths with this.