The Enable Respect Group is composed of champions who increase awareness of hate crime in Scotland, and provide training to anyone interested to learn more about it.  In this episode, Michael McEwan speaks to Jason Methven from Fortune Work Enable Scotland, and Sally Elfverson, a member of the Respect Group about the initiative.  Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.   ..read more

The community social work conference was held on 8 November 2022 in Dunfermline. It was focused on a new model of community social work, which has been launched in Fife.  We spoke to Colin Turbett, social work author and consultant; and Kathy Henwood, the CSWO of Fife Education and Children’s Services. They provided an introduction to community social work and the set up in Fife. We also heard from Anne Fitzpatrick, the Team Manager at Fife, Leanne Christie, social work assistant; and Janet, a woman who was supported by the community hubs. They told us about the community social work mode ..read more

This is Me is a campaign that aims to increase public awareness of the experiences of people with learning disabilities. It is a partnership of the Scottish Learning Disability Observatory (SLDO), the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD), Down's Syndrome Scotland and Promoting a More Inclusive Society (PAMIS).  Michael McEwan speaks to Dr Deborah Kinnear at SLDO about the campaign.  Follow the hashtag: #ThisisMe22 Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes ..read more

Enrich Scotland is a programme of work that supports research in care homes.  We speak to the Co-chairs, Emma Law and Susan Shenkin about the programme, what it’s achieving and it’s ambitions. They explain how research undertaken in care homes improves the lives of people who live in care homes, their families and care home staff.  Resources Care home research: an introduction for care home staff Transcript of episode. Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes ..read more

HEART is a wellbeing model of service delivery for children and their families in East Ayrshire. It is an approach in keeping with the principles of a human rights-based, inclusive service design and delivery. Michelle from Iriss speaks to Andrew Bryers about the model, its aims and progress to date. Andrew has been social worker since 2007 and has worked in Scotland, London and Australia. He spent six years as a team manager in East Ayrshire before taking on the role of Programme Lead of Heart Community Teams in 2020.  if you would like to chat to Andrew about the model and the approach ..read more

New Routes Home is a partnership of interested individuals and organisations across Scotland who campaign for the right of all people with disabilities to have their own home and to have meaningful choices around where they live, and who (if anyone) lives with them. This includes having choices around how support is organised and directed. Michael McEwan speaks to Alastair Minty from In Control Scotland about the campaign. Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes ..read more

Is technology the answer for rural social work?  Jane Pye, Lecturer in Social Work at Lancaster University. explores the potential benefits of using technology, for social workers and people who live rurally and use services. She also considers the dangers of suggesting that the use of technology is the answer to the challenges of working with rural and remote people and diverse communities. This presentation was recorded at an event held on 4 May 2022. Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes ..read more

How do we help people live their lives as they want? How can we commission services in a more ethical and person-centred way? The Gwynedd social care team and local health board in Wales have been changing how home care has been commissioned and delivered. They’ve created a model that moves away from ‘time and task’ to one that is more person- and relationship-centred. Meilys Heulfryn-Smith, Programme Lead of Community Transformation at Gwynedd Council and Alison Hughes, Manager at Gofal Seibiant Care tell us about their work and experiences in Wales. Transcript of episode. Music Credit: Make ..read more

Scottish Learning Disability Week 2022 takes place from 2 until 8 May, and the theme for this year is ‘We all have human rights’. Michael McEwan speaks to Libby Clement and Oonagh Brown from the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) about the theme, its importance and what's happening over the week.  Transcript of episode. Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes ..read more

ENABLE Works helps people with learning disabilities and other barriers to employment to obtain and sustain rewarding employment. What are some of the barriers and what is the current situation for disabled people seeking employment? Michael McEwan speaks to Lianne Williams, Depute Director at ENABLE Scotland, and Mark Cuff, who speaks about his experiences of seeking and sustaining employment. Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes ..read more