Health and Wellbeing Courses in Manchester

Adam Sleeman

Adam Sleeman is the Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Integrated Health and Social Care and the HNC/HND Healthcare Professions Support (HTQ) programmes.

A Registered Nurse (Learning Disabilities), Adam brings over 22 years of experience within the Health and Social Care sector, working predominantly across the NHS and local government. His extensive professional background spans a range of roles, including Nursing, Commissioning, Management, and Learning and Development. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, as well as a qualified vocational assessor and internal verifier.

Adam has played a pivotal role in leading the successful validation of the BA (Hons) Integrated Health and Social Care programme in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University. Since joining UCEN Manchester in 2013, he has contributed significantly to the growth and ongoing success of the Health and Social Care provision.

Driven by a passion for education, Adam transitioned into full-time teaching to share his knowledge and support others in developing rewarding careers in the sector. He takes particular pride in seeing students progress into professional roles such as Nursing and Social Work, as well as in the consistently high number of graduates achieving first-class honours in recent years.

Karen Cooke

Karen is currently the program leader for the Foundation Degree and BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies. She leads and delivers a variety of modules on both programmes and supports the BA(Hons) students with their dissertation modules. She also oversees all of the Childhood and Youth studies programmes to ensure quality and consistency to ensure student satisfaction through pastoral support for students.

An experienced childhood and youth worker, Karen has worked within primary schools and nursery settings for many years. She has vast experience of working with the youth sector from her time as a group leader in the Scout and Guide movement, and also as a Duke of Edinburgh trainer. She was also a self-employed director of a company where management and leadership were essential to the safe employment of over 100 staff delivering and managing logistics all over the country.

Before joining UCEN Manchester, Karen was part of The Manchester College delivering on childcare courses. She then progressed to develop the Foundation Degree and BA(Hons) with colleagues in Childhood and Youth Studies.

Prior to working in Manchester, she delivered a Level 3 program in Childhood Studies with other FE providers within the North West. 

Karen is currently completing a Doctorate in Education at UCLAN, looking into the decline of children’s engagement in the outdoors.

She said: “I have an interest in how children engage with outdoor play, outdoor space and the changes in digital technology and the impact this has on Children’s health and wellbeing. This is part of my EdD studies around the world.

“I am currently working on a research project with colleagues examining mental health and wellbeing of Higher Education academic staff within Further Education settings and its impact on teaching and learning. I presented the project to HE academic staff from around the country.”

Tracey Allen

Tracey has worked in the education sector for over 21 years and is currently working as a placement officer with the HNC and HND students in Health and Social Care.

Tracey has managed an NVQ centre for nine years and is a qualified Early Years Practitioner with eight years senior level experience. She also qualified as a Health and Social Care Practitioner and has seven years’ experience as a domiciliary care worker.

In 20 years as placement officer, Tracey has dealt with work placements, assessments and inspections, and has also implemented safety risk assessments as well as being involved in yearly inspections. Tracey supports learners to find placements and visits them while they are in establishments.

She said: “I appreciate the fact that I’m able to visit students in their employment work role and placements, and I enjoy observing and seeing their progression in their professional practice and knowledge. I liaise with students and support them with placement and work role choices. My favourite aspect of the job is visiting students in their diverse Childcare and Health and Social care establishments.”

As well as caring for family and friends outside work, Tracey enjoys walking, being in nature and crafting.

Maria Hermitt

Maria has over 20 years’ experience working within the health and social care sector, teaching a wide range of subjects on Level 1 to Level 7 programmes.

She has a research interest in sociological and psychological perspectives in health and its impact on behavioural, emotional and mental wellbeing.  Other research interests include social policy and politics and its role in the promotion of health.

Outside of work, Maria has an interest in the study of criminal justice and criminology, and their roles within the penal system.

Paul Harding

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Paul specialises in advanced childhood theory, sociology, and critical legislative frameworks, informed by a strong background in behavioural management. His core areas of focus also include global educational research, which underpins evidence-based innovation and ensures learning pathways remain internationally relevant and future‑focused.

His previous experience is shaped by working at every level of the United Kingdom’s education system, across a wide range of subject areas.