We continue our series on sustainable social work by exploring how professional development helps us to thrive as social workers. We talk about how learning can bring joy and growth, and how to get the most out of continual professional development.

We continue our series on sustainable social work by exploring how professional development helps us to thrive as social workers. We talk about how learning can bring joy and growth, and how to get the most out of continual professional development.

3a Professional development

Heute ist der Podcast auf Deutsch. Ich spreche über die Soziale Arbeit in Großbritannien. Ich erkläre, wie sie funktioniert, und rede über die Schwierigkeiten und das Potenzial für die Zukunft. Ich hoffe, dass deutschsprachige Zuhörer diesen Podcast interessant finden. 

Heute ist der Podcast auf Deutsch. Ich spreche über die Soziale Arbeit in Großbritannien. Ich erkläre, wie sie funktioniert, und rede über die Schwierigkeiten und das Potenzial für die Zukunft. Ich hoffe, dass deutschsprachige Zuhörer diesen Podcast interessant finden.

2b Helpful Social Work auf Deutsch

The second podcast in our series on sustainable social work explores how we can empower ourselves as social workers. We look at the importance of taking control and influencing our working environment, and how we can ally with others in our profession to call for the support we need to be able to practise well. 

The second podcast in our series on sustainable social work explores how we can empower ourselves as social workers. We look at the importance of taking control and influencing our working environment, and how we can ally with others in our profession to call for the support we need to be able to practise well.

2a Empowering ourselves

In our first podcast of Series 8, we give an overview of how we look after ourselves, keep going and thrive in this vital work. We explore evidence of the pressures on social workers and consider a framework to help us maintain ourselves in this tricky context. 

In our first podcast of Series 8, we give an overview of how we look after ourselves, keep going and thrive in this vital work. We explore evidence of the pressures on social workers and consider a framework to help us maintain ourselves in this tricky context.

1a Sustainable social work

At the end of each series, we do a review of the year. We look back at the events and themes, and take stock of what is happening in social work. 

At the end of each series, we do a review of the year. We look back at the events and themes, and take stock of what is happening in social work.

6b Review of the year

Series 8 runs from 2023 to 2024. In this series we explore how we can keep doing social work in tricky contexts. In each podcast, we look at a difference aspect of the evidence about what helps social workers to thrive. 

Series 8 runs from 2023 to 2024. In this series we explore how we can keep doing social work in tricky contexts. In each podcast, we look at a difference aspect of the evidence about what helps social workers to thrive.

Series 8 Introduction

In this podcast we talk to Paul Bridgewater about the experience of being a social worker in a range of communities, including on small islands. Paul talks about how a social worker can get to know a context and people, and build a relationship that offers a way to help someone make sense of their experiences and uphold their rights. 

In this podcast we talk to Paul Bridgewater about the experience of being a social worker in a range of communities, including on small islands. Paul talks about how a social worker can get to know a context and people, and build a relationship that offers a way to help someone make sense of their experiences and uphold their rights.

1b What does helpful social work mean to you?

We continue our exploration of the use of self in social work. In this final episode, we talk about the situations and moments when we need to be still and do nothing. We consider the importance of stillness, silence and waiting. And how we can create space for people when they need this. 

We continue our exploration of the use of self in social work. In this final episode, we talk about the situations and moments when we need to be still and do nothing. We consider the importance of stillness, silence and waiting. And how we can create space for people when they need this.

6a Doing nothing

In this podcast, we talk with John Scadden about what helpful social work means to him. John talks about how you can make a difference through being the person who doesn’t give up and who inspires hope. 

In this podcast, we talk with John Scadden about what helpful social work means to him. John talks about how you can make a difference through being the person who doesn’t give up and who inspires hope.

5b What does helpful social work mean to you?

We continue our exploration of the use of self in social work. In this episode we talk about neurodiversity in social work, and the importance of acknowledging and learning about diverse ways of experiencing the world. And, particularly, the importance of hearing the growing voice of the neurodivergent community, including in social work. 

We continue our exploration of the use of self in social work. In this episode we talk about neurodiversity in social work, and the importance of acknowledging and learning about diverse ways of experiencing the world. And, particularly, the importance of hearing the growing voice of the neurodivergent community, including in social work.

5a Neurodiversity

In this podcast, we talk with Gladys Mante-Nyadu about what helpful social work means to her. Gladys talks about meaningful relationships that allow people the space to be heard and to explore worries, and the importance of honest conversations.

4b What does helpful social work mean to you?

We continue our exploration of the use of self in social work by looking at the entwined senses of taste and smell. Though often overlooked in practice, these strongly influence our perceptions and our emotions. In this podcast, we explore how social workers can notice and respond to taste and smell, and all that they evoke.

4a Taste and smell

We continue our exploration of the use of self in social work. In this podcast, we look at how touch impacts on social work practice. We discuss the meaning of touch and consider the importance of being aware of the space we inhabit.

3a Touch

In this podcast, we talk with Monalesia Earle about what helpful social work means to her. Monalesia highlights the relational partnership that enables people to tell and to change the arc of their stories. And the importance of giving up power in order to empower people whose voices are unheard.

2b What does helpful social work mean to you?

We continue our exploration of the use of self in social work. In this podcast, we consider observation. We discuss the purpose, ethics and practice of noticing what is around us, and how we impact on what we observe.

2a Observation

Throughout Series 7 we are exploring some of the central elements of social work practice and use of self. In this opening podcast, we explore listening and speaking. We consider the expertise that lies behind sensitive and thoughtful communication.

1a Listening and speaking

Our traditional end of series podcast is the review of the year. This review comes slightly later than usual so covers April 2021 to August 2022. We discuss some of the main events and themes, and consider the implications for social work.

10b Review of the year

In this last episode of the series, we look at the Equality Act protected characteristic of gender reassignment, and consider how social workers promote equality and challenge discrimination relating to gender identity.

10a Gender identity

In this podcast, we consider how social workers promote equality and challenge discrimination relating to pregnancy and parenthood. We look at why the Equality Act has a protected characteristic of pregnancy and maternity, and consider how social workers empower people during pregnancy and as new parents.

9a Pregnancy and parenthood

In this podcast, we consider how social workers promote equality and challenge discrimination relating to people's relationships. We look at rights and social work ethics, and consider how we can actively promote choice and respect.

Equality – Marriage and civil partnership

Helpful Social Work Podcast

Social workers constantly engage with and relate to loss. In the current pandemic, loss is widespread, diverse and deep. In this podcast we explore how social workers can understand loss and grief, how we can respond helpfully and the support we need to do this.

2b Loss and social work

We continue our look at the ingredients of a social worker by exploring the ethics and values domain of the Professional Capabilities Framework. We look at why this domain matters, the capabilities that social workers need, and what these capabilities look like in practice.

2a Ethics and values

Series 5 runs from 2019-2020. Throughout this series we will look at the ingredients of a great social worker and the capabilities that social workers bring to their work. We will also record podcasts about current issues that affect social work.

Series 5 Introduction

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The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!