A Queen's University Belfast student who spent her early childhood in care has graduated as a social worker, honouring a promise made to her late father.

Melissa Thompson received a Bachelor of Social Work on Saturday, after a journey that required her to overcome health problems, surgery and balancing full-time study with motherhood.

Ms Thompson was placed in foster care at 14 months old and adopted at age eight. She has said those experiences, along with the example of her adoptive father, Thomas Thompson, a social worker, inspired her to pursue the career from the age of four.

Before his death in 2017, she promised her father she would one day graduate with a social work qualification. Her studies were interrupted by health issues and later by the birth of her son, Harvey, now aged three. She resumed her degree when Harvey was seven months old, supported by her mother, her partner Dawid, and Queen's care-experienced support team.

Ms Thompson said reaching graduation represented both a personal achievement and a tribute to her father's legacy. She has remained in contact with several social workers who supported her during her own time in care.