Mim and Lis hear from a new graduate social worker who landed a position in a rural Allied Health Graduate Program. The social worker shares her journey, from initial hesitation to embracing the unique opportunities and challenges of rural practice. The social worker describes her experience rotating through diverse clinical settings over two years, highlighting the strong support and flexibility of the graduate program. She recounts a case study demonstrating the creativity required in rural social work - when discharging an isolated older adult, the social worker leveraged local resources an ..read more

Join Mim and Lis as we hear a story from an Australian social worker who took his child protection experience and practiced in Türkiye, working with urban refugee populations. He reflects on the challenges of applying Western social work practices in a non-Western context, including navigating cultural differences around mental health, trauma-informed practice, and power dynamics. The social worker grapples with his own biases and the need for cultural humility when working with people from backgrounds different to his own. He highlights the importance of letting refugee communities lead in de ..read more

In this episode, Lis and Mim delve into a rich practice story from a social worker in the disabilities space, supporting a mother and her children experiencing domestic violence, while working to meet the high support needs of one of the children. Then we break down the story and what was happening behind the scenes for that social worker - holding this family with great care, dignity and respect in the midst of a challenged service system. In the end, we see the richness that social work values can bring into this important practice area.    p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest ..read more

Hey! Social Worker!! If you listen to this episode you'll never think of 'discharge planning' as simply admin again... it'll become an act of social justice each and every time! Enjoy.   SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Mim refers to Pamela Trevithick's work. Here's the reference: Trevithick, P. (2012). Social work skills and knowledge: a practice handbook (3rd edn.). McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries! p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reac ..read more

Lis called this episode, "A classic!" and Mim said, "This is going straight onto my University Readings List." So, you know it's going to be worth the listen! We hope that you enjoy.   SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Lis refers to a journal article on 'covert activism'. Here's the reference: Greenslade, L., McAuliffe, D. & Chenoweth, L., 2015, 'Social workers' experiences of covert workplace activism', Australian Social Work, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 422-437, DOI: 10.1080/0312407X.2014.940360   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work D ..read more

Welcome back to the Social Work Stories podcast. This is the first episode released for 2024, and boy-oh-boy do we have a doozy for you!! In this episode, you'll join Lis and Mim in hearing from an anonymous social worker using a practice innovation in an Emergency Department setting. This is a riveting story and discussion, not to be missed!   SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Mim refers to 'Narrative Therapy and Intensive Outreach: Working with Mothers whose Children have been removed - Ep. 72'. You can find it in our previously released episodes.   p.s. Don't forget to check out the lat ..read more

Join hosts Lis Murphy and Mim Fox as they delve into the nuanced and delicate role of social workers in supporting individuals through voluntary assisted dying. As the state of New South Wales, Australia prepares to introduce voluntary assisted dying later this month, Mim and Lis frame the conversation by highlighting how this emerging field of practice adds depth to the already established wider skillset of social work. The heart of the episode unfolds with a poignant story from a social worker who guided an elderly man and his family through the voluntary assisted dying process. The narrativ ..read more

In this episode, Lis invites expert special guest Jo McIlveen to come and listen to this moving story of a social worker's intervention using memory making for a grieving family in a hospital setting. Lis and Jo discuss the ins and outs of the story in such great detail, that we think you will want to know more about this kind of social work practice, whether you're working in end of life care or otherwise. Enjoy!   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries! p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure y ..read more

Ever thought that maybe taking a client, consumer, patient outside the four walls of your office and into the big, wide world to help with creating some change and perspective? Well this episode is the one to listen to! Join Lis and Mim (and their guests) as they explore 'nature as a co-therapist'.   Special Guests: Josh McLean - josh@geelongadventurespecialists.com.au Dr Amanda Smith - a.smith2@griffith.edu.au For more information on Bush Adventure Therapy, here's the link: https://outdoorhealth.org.au/service-directory/   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sis ..read more

Exciting news! We are introducing a new podcast project to you all. In this episode you'll hear all about the podcast we've been working on with the Agency for Clinical Innovation and NSW Health called 'Making Visible: Preventing and Responding to Violence, Abuse and Neglect'. We hope you enjoy it. p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries! p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise on email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com  ..read more