Kate Blake-Holmes

Dr. Kate Blake-Holmes is a Lecturer in Social Work at the University of East Anglia (UEA), affiliated with the School of Social Work and the Centre for Research on Children and Families. She also serves as an external examiner at the University of Chester and maintains dual professional roles as a registered Social Worker with Social Work England and an Approved Mental Health Professional for the Local Authority. Her research focuses on families experiencing parental mental ill health and young carers, emphasizing co-production with service users and practitioners. She chairs the International Research Collaborative for Change in Parent and Child Mental Health and holds roles in organizations such as The Young Carers Alliance and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Young Carers.

Her research interests span mental health social work, young carers' experiences, and family well-being interventions. Recent work includes evaluations of fostering services and studies on the impact of parental mental health on children, with a focus on systemic challenges exacerbated by the pandemic. Dr. Blake-Holmes has secured grants from the National Institute for Health and Care Research and collaborates with NHS trusts, local authorities, and charities to ensure practical application of her findings.

Her academic contributions include peer-reviewed articles on young carers' professional support needs, workforce retention strategies in social care, and policy frameworks for family support. Notable awards include the Engagement Awards 2021, recognizing her outreach efforts. She actively engages in public policy discussions, serving as a safeguarding lead for MAP youth services and contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to mental health and well-being.

• Projects: REBIAS II (2024–2026), evaluating family-wide care packages for young carers; Norfolk County Council’s Enhanced Fostering Service evaluation (2021–2022).
• Advising: Accepting PhD students focusing on mental health social work, policy, and young carers.
• Labs/Teams: Centre for Research on Children and Families, International Research Collaborative.