Clair Graham Guest Lecture
Clair left school with no qualifications and a criminal record, but after doing voluntary work and securing a role as a Social Work Assistant, Clair decided to return to education, and she graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Social Work in 2009.
After graduating, Clair worked her way up from a Social Worker to a Team Manager at Birmingham City Council. Nowadays, she is the Head of Service for Contextual Safeguarding working within the EMPOWER U, Exploitation and Missing Hub at Birmingham Children’s Trust (BCT).
In 2023, Clair was awarded BCU's 'Alumna of the Year', and she continues to inspire the next generation of social workers with her extraordinary story.
In her BCU Alumni Festival guest lecture, Clair speaks about her upbringing and how she overcame challenges to become the local hero she is today, as well as what it takes to become a leader, look after your health and wellbeing, and what it takes to survive in her industry.
Alumni festival 2023
Industry icons
The Industry Icons are BCU Alumni who are making waves in their chosen fields. From industrial design to acting, these alumni are forging ahead.
Industry iconsLocal heros
These BCU Alumni are making a real difference to local communities. From public artwork showcasing the contributions of diverse communities, to getting more girls into cricket, their work is having a huge impact in the local area.
Local heroesBarrier breakers
Our barrier-breaking alumni are challenging perceptions in their industries and paving the way for future generations to work in a more inclusive, diverse working world.
Barrier breakers