This episode, made to mark World Social Work Day 2023, explores the role of social work in deeply divided societies.  Social work is practiced under situations of armed conflict and in deeply divided post conflict societies in many regions and countries across the world. Taking the examples of Bosnia Herzegovina and Northern Ireland, Andy McClenaghan and guests examine how social workers have adapted to deliver services amidst situations of political violence, and discuss the role of social work in post-conflict societies. With Andy to discuss these issues, are Dr Reima Ana Maglajl ..read more

In this episode of the podcast we’ve the fantastic opportunity to be back focusing on social work in Wales—more specifically, anti-racist social work practice in Wales.  Andy is joined by Abyd Quinn Aziz, Social Work Programme Director at Cardiff University, Jade Forbes, Senior Social Worker and Approved Mental Health Professional based in South East Wales, and Gaynor Legall, former social worker, Chairperson of the community organisation the Heritage & Cultural Exchange and member of the governance group of the Welsh Government’s Anti-racist Wales Action Plan.&nb ..read more

On 2 February the Government launched its strategy for children's social care reform in England—Stable Homes, Built on Love.    In this episode we we look at what the Strategy means for children and young people in care, those who care for them and for social workers working in children’s services.   To discuss the strategy, host, Andy McClenaghan is joined by social workers Bekah Pierre and Joe Hanley—Bekah is a care experienced adult and BASW England Professional Officer, and Joe is a lecturer with the Open University and a member of the BASW Policy, Ethics and Human Righ ..read more

In this episode of Let’s Talk Social Work we explore the important, and unfortunately all too often overlooked issue of the needs of Black children in care. The episode begins by exploring a ground-breaking initiative run by Camden Council, to ensure all foster carers are able to meet the haircare and skincare needs of Black children and young people in their care. The discussion later widens out to look at other issues concerning cultural awareness.  Host, Andy McClenaghan is joined by friends of the podcast James Kargbo  Equalities Lead at Camden Council, and Patriche Bentick, me ..read more

Andy McClenaghan is joined by social workers Deb Solomon and Florence Smith to talk about neurodiversity in social work and examine how employers and educators can improve support for neurodivergent social workers. Deb is Chair of the BASW Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group and Florence is a campaigner for neuro-inclusion, host of the blog the neurodivergent social worker and she is also a member of the BASW Special Interest Group. For more information on the BASW Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group follow th ..read more

To start 2023, Andy McClenaghan is joined by Dr Rory Truell, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Social Workers to discuss how the Federation is assisting social workers in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to support people displaced as a result of the Russian Invasion. They examine what life is currently like in Ukraine and how social workers within the country, and internationally, have responded to the Russian invasion. They explore the role of social workers in the creation of a Social Investment Partnership launched in the Kamenets Podisk district of Ukraine and discus ..read more

In the final episode of 2022, our focus is on human rights in the UK.  To celebrate Human Rights Day, Andy McClenaghan and guests explore the protections afforded to us all via the Human Rights Act, and the plans of the Westminster Government to alter these protections through the introduction of a UK Bill of Rights. The conversation explores implications of the planned legislation for rights in a range of contexts, including the provision of social work services.  Andy is joined by Jun Pang, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Liberty, and social workers, Martin Sexton, Chair of the B ..read more

Returning to an issue which was the focus of our first ever episode—the role of social workers in disaster situations—this conversation explores the themes outlined in the book Out of the Shadows: The Role of Social Workers in Disasters (Critical Publishing, 2022). Andy McClenaghan is joined by Dr Angie Bartoli, Principal Lecturer in Social Work at Nottingham Trent University, Maris Stratulis, National Director of BASW England and Margaret Aspinall, Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group.  During the discussion, Margaret poignantly reflects on the tragic death of her so ..read more

In this episode, Andy McClenaghan is joined by Caroline Bald and Helen Woods, Co-Chairs of the BASW England Criminal Justice Group, and BASW England Professional Officer, Wayne Reid. They explore how social workers working in the criminal and youth justice sectors make a positive difference in the lives of individuals who have come into contact with the justice system.  The conversation considers the nature of criminal justice social work, the groups that criminal justice social workers support, and whether, all social workers are in fact criminal justice social workers. Hosted on Acast ..read more

In this episode, Vivian Geiran, Chair of the Irish Association of Social Workers talks with Andy McClenaghan about social work in Ireland. They discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the profession, the importance of cross border working and probation as a social work service. The conversation explores the impacts of the acute housing crisis gripping Ireland, during which the publication, the View digital, is mentioned. You can read the relevant issue here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information ..read more