On this week's episode, inspired by this article, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss stereotypes in social work, examining portrayals in the media, TV, movies, and books. Is there anything harmful about these stereotypes? And do they each consider themselves to be 'typical' social workers?

 

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Where do we draw the line on being a social worker and being a person?

On this week's episode, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss whether being a social worker restricts your freedoms - online and in the real world?

How do we define ‘bringing the profession into disrepute?' Does being a social worker change the way you see the world? Are you more likely to intervene and involve yourself with members of the public? Should we be able to make a ‘citizens intervention’?

Join the conversation, every Friday morning.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's podcast, our hosts - and fellow social workers - Vince and Cara discuss how their working lives have changed since Covid, the pros and cons of the profession moving to hybrid working, examine the idea of an 'ideal' working pattern, and finally ask the question - is it time we all went back to the office?

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Are you a social work workaholic?

This week our hosts, and fellow social workers, Vince and Cara, take the test to find out if they are a social work workaholic - will you play along at home?

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Is there a stigma to being a children’s social worker without children?

This week our hosts, and fellow social workers, Vince and Cara, are exploring the impact that being a parent has on the work we do. And, inspired by THIS column published at mysocialworknews.com, Cara discusses what it's like for her to be a children's social worker who doesn't want to have children of her own.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Do you accept a drink from your clients when you visit them in their home?

This week our hosts, and fellow social workers, Vince and Cara, explore the reasons you should always say yes, if you can. It may sound like a small issue, but - as we'll find out in the episode - this simple moment can set the scene for so much...

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

From Corey Feldman, and Judy Garland, to Lindsay Lohan, Macaulay Culkin, and Britney Spears, there is a long history of child stars succumbing to the pressure of the public eye. But what about child stars of the modern age - i.e. social media stars? Is there a duty on social workers to intervene with children who are in the public eye? Who determines what risk these children are at? And at what age are children truly able to consent to being shared with the world?

Join our hosts Vince and Cara for this week's episode of Social Work Radio, inspired by THIS article, published this week at www.mysocialworknews.com

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

How do social workers feel about working with pets in people’s homes? Have there been a lot of ‘hairy’ experiences in the line of duty, and is it fair for social workers to ask clients to take their pets out of the room? This week, following on from THIS Social Work Supervision column published this week at www.mysocialworknews.com, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss pets, home visits, and the effect this can have on your connection with a client.

Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

This week, responding to this news story, published this week, our hosts Vince and Cara explore whether it's okay to cry at work, how often they've each done it, and break down the stigma of showing emotion in a social work office.

Created by social workers, for social workers. Join in the discussion, every Friday morning.

As we usher April in the door, it's time to discuss... spring cleaning for social workers! Are you a fan of the annual reset/out with the old, in with the new? Our hosts Vince and Cara share their top 10 tips for the ol' social work spring clean!

 

Created by social workers, for social workers. Join in the discussion, every Friday morning.

Let’s be honest, what toxic self-care have we previously indulged in? What genuinely helpful self-care support could our employers give us? And what self-care tips would you give your younger social work self? This week on Social Work Radio, our hosts Vince and Cara are exploring the topic of self-care - in all its glory! Join the discussion.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Does hardship, trauma, and shared pain bond us as friends? Have you made friends in social work, and what are the differences between your social work friends and your 'normal' friends? This week, host Vince is joined by a new face, social worker Cara Davis, to chat through friends and social work!

Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

On this week's episode, our hosts Vince and Cara delve into the difficult subject of the recent riots that have impacted communities across the country for the past week.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Are you a perfectionist, a procrastinator, or both?

Is it possible to be perfect in social work? How do we avoid procrastination at work? And how do we manage the unrealistic expectations of others? Explore the topic of perfectionist procrastinating with our Social Work Radio hosts!

Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

In this week's episode of Social Work Radio, our hosts are tackling the topic of 'stress' - what are their own symptoms of work stress, what are their individual coping strategies, and where does the line come in terms of how much employers need to be helping?

To what extent do we simply have to accept that social work is stressful? And what are the tips we should all be bearing in mind?

Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

The biggest challenge of an ethical dilemma is that it does not offer an obvious solution that would comply with ethical norms.

Throughout the history of humanity, people have faced such dilemmas and, in this week's episode of Social Work Radio, Vince and Tilly explore the concept of ethical dilemmas in social work, laying out examples each have encountered in the workplace. They also work their way through some popular ethical dilemmas, including The Trolley Problem, The Lying Doctor, and The Organ Donation Dilemma. Play along at home and figure out whether or not your own ethics align with our hosts.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, our Social Work Radio hosts explore why current retention rates in social work - across both children's and adults - are so poor, and each propose five ways we could see them improve.

Join the discussion every Friday. Created FOR social workers, BY social workers.

This week on Social Work Radio, Vince puts co-host Tilly through her paces as she undertakes the Myers-Briggs personality test live on the show, before they discusses how each of their personality types impact them as social workers. Take the test along with them to reveal your own personality type.

 

Join the discussion every Friday. Created FOR social workers, BY social workers.

Should social workers be doing more for our clients?

This week on Social Work Radio, hosts Vince and Tilly explore what - if anything - social workers could do to help more. What additional skills, training, and services could help us offer more to our clients - and how often do we really go outside our remit to help?

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider. Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

This week on Social Work Radio, our hosts examine the heartbreaking death of Bronson Battersby, dissecting the known timeline, the actions of Bronson's social worker, and examining the public's drive to apportion blame.

How DO we balance our safeguarding duties with people’s rights to a private and family life? In the words of Vince: "Would the public stand their door being broken down by police and social workers after one failed visit... two... three..?"

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider. Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Has being a social worker made you a better or worse partner? Has it made you a better or worse parent?

If they could choose, would your partner and children want you to do a different job entirely?

That's the question we're asking this week on Social Work Radio as Vince is once again joined by fellow columnist and social worker, Matt Bee.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider. Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Do social workers value themselves?

Are they valued by their employers, government, and society?

Are they supported by their union and professional association?

As vacancy rates continue to climb, host Vince, and fellow social worker - and Social Work News columnist - Matt Bee ask themselves, how valued are social workers - truly?

 

Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Happy New Year social workers!

Put 2023 to bed as our hosts Vince and Tilly walk you through a year of some of our most well-read social work stories. 

Did you hear the one about the social worker barred from the profession for working two jobs with two local authorities? Or the former social worker now earning five-times her previous salary on OnlyFans?

Created BY social workers, FOcR social workers. Dive in, and enjoy!

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

* Please note: this episode was recorded earlier this week, before the judge ruled that the children involved in the case be returned to the care of extended family.

 

On this week's episode, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss how they felt watching the news of the riots in Leeds unfold this week, and their own experiences of working with people who’ve had their children removed. Where is the line between accepting the anger of grief and not allowing it to escalate? Can police presence inflame situations like this? How do the social workers managing this case now cope, and do events like this place additional scrutiny and threat on our entire profession?

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Merry Christmas social workers!

Once again, this week, our host Vince is joined by fellow Social Work News columnist Matt Bee for this special Christmas episode, as they discuss everything from what it's like to be a social worker - in adult or children's services - at this time of year, their favourite Christmas movies - and the social work lessons within - to what's on their social work wish-list this festive season. Plus, an appearance by....gulp...Bad Santa... don't miss out!

Created BY social workers, FOcR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

This week, our hosts touch on the outcome of the inquest into the death of headteacher Ruth Perry, which concluded last week.

After explaining how investigations of services work in adults and children's social work, Vince and Tilly explore the coroner's findings through a social work lens, discuss what - if any - changes they expect to see to Ofsted's approach in inspections, both with schools and local authorities, and ask if there are wider lessons to be learned.

Created BY social workers, FOcR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

This week - inspired by this opinion column published over at mysocialworknews.com - our hosts are asking one another the question: Did you choose social work, or did social work choose you?

Vince and Tilly talk us through how they each came to social work, at what point they knew it was the career for them, and whether they could imagine ever doing anything else - and if so, what?

They also tell us whether they think people can be taught the soft skills needed to be a good social worker, or whether it's something would-be social workers are simply born with, begging the question: are some people destined to become social workers..?

Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

This week - inspired by this article - Vince and Tilly are exploring everything that is brilliant about being a social worker, as each bring their top five reasons for loving their jobs to the podcasting table. How many of these can you relate to?

Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

In this episode, host Vince is joined by a special guest co-host, fellow Social Work News columnist Matt Bee, as they tackle the question: Do we need more men in social work?

Is there a stigma around being a man in a caring profession? Is social work safer for men than women? Do some clients respond better to one gender over another? And with men making up just 10-20% of the social work workforce, is this a problem that needs fixing? Or not.

Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

It's an interesting one this week on Social Work Radio as our hosts reflect on their night at the recent Social Worker of the Year Awards (visit the Social Work News Instagram page for pics of them dressed to the nines!) and round-off the celebrations with their own Alternative Social Worker of the Year Awards 2023.

Who are their unsung heroes? Who are their GOATs? And who will be crowned social work villain of the year...?! Don't miss it!

Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

This latest episode of Social Work Radio isn't easy. But it IS important.

This week, our hosts tackle an incredibly difficult topic, inspired by this powerful column published at mysocialworknews.com by our content editor - and podcast host - Vince Peart.

**Trigger warning: this episode contains themes of mental health, depression, and suicide** If you're struggling, please speak to someone, whether a friend or a professional. Visit The Samaritans for contact information. You are not alone.

Join the conversation every Friday; for social workers, by social workers

In this week's Social Work Radio episode, our hosts discuss their experiences of dealing with the difficult side of social work - depriving people of liberty and removing children from their parents - and how these things sit with them afterwards.

How do YOU cope with the things you must do as a social worker?

Join the conversation every Friday; for social workers, by social workers

This week on Social Work Radio, our hosts are feeling inspired by this popular article from a new writer over at www.mysocialworknews.com and are asking the question, what qualities make for a good social worker?

Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

It's another difficult topic this week as our hosts examine the new Jade's Law - named for Jade Ward, who - one week after ending their relationship - was brutally murdered by her former partner in 2021, while their four children slept upstairs.

Vince and Tilly discuss the sad case that inspired the law, the ethics behind the legalities, and the likely impact on all those it will affect.

 

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

 

On this week's podcast, inspired by this opinion column, Vince and Cara discuss  their experiences of working with people in prison - the good, and the bad. They explore different prison systems around the world, and ask: how do you balance deferral with rehabilitation and reform?  

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

This week on #SocialWorkRadio, our hosts are exploring how to use your social work skills to improve your relationship - whether it's as a partner, a daughter/son, or a friend.

Also, Vince and Tilly explore their own relationships as they try to answer the question: is there a danger of ‘social working’ our friends, family, and lovers, and of looking too deeply into things?

Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

On this week's episode of Social Work Radio, our hosts Vince and Tilly discuss celebrities they feel would benefit from a social work intervention, and how they would go about it. What starts as a light-hearted thought exercise ends up taking quite an emotional turn for our social work duo...

Created BY social workers, FOR social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

 

Inspired by a Social Work Supervision question submitted to www.mysocialworknews.com earlier this month, on this week's video episode, our hosts Vince and Tilly ask whether you can be too young or too old to become a social worker, and what benefits - if any - each offers.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's episode, inspired by two recent articles in Social Work News HERE and HERE, our hosts Vince and Tilly explore the warning signs that you're working too hard in social work, ask whether managers need to be attuned to these, and discuss how you can sensitively raise the issue of others showing signs of stress.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

On 21st August 2023, Lucy Letby was sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order for the seven murders and seven attempted murders committed against 13 infants.

On this week's episode of Social Work Radio, the mood is more somber as Vince and Tilly sensitively explore the harrowing case of the serial killer through a social work lens.

You can also WATCH THE VIDEO of this week's podcast by visiting our homepage.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

On this week's episode, inspired by this article written by Social Work News columnist Millie Glass, Vince and Tilly delve into a frequently hilarious discussion - complete with roleplay! - on the importance of self-esteem, of feeling valued as a social worker, and knowing your worth.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's episode, inspired by this article written by Social Work News columnist Tilly Baden, Tilly is joined by co-host Vince Peart to discuss the impact social work can have on our physical well-being.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, on this special 'in-person' edition of Social Work News, hosts Vince and Tilly answer your social work questions.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, hosts Vince and Tilly take inspiration from this recent controversial article to ask: is it victim-blaming to ask mothers to protect their children from partners? Should everyone do a Sarah’s law and Claire’s law check on every new partner? Is the Cinderella effect real? And should social workers embed the risk of partners/boyfriends who are not a child’s birth parent into their assessments more?

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, hosts Vince and Tilly examine the importance of respect in social work - what we should expect to give, what we should expect to receive - and discuss what they would each want to see from a social worker visiting them in their homes.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's podcast, inspired by this opinion column, Vince and Cara discuss Trump, Reform, and the National Rally - and ask the question: has there ever been a scarier time, politically, in their lifetime?   Do they see this issue going away? What will the Tories do now? And what is our duty as social workers here, in the face of all that is going on?  

Created by social workers, for social workers.

Join the conversation every Friday morning.

This week our dynamic duo is together in person!

Watch this week's episode in full right HERE (or at www.mysocialworknews.com) as our hosts Vince and Tilly ask: should social work client feedback be sought more often and more formally? Should social workers be reviewed publicly? And what review would Vince and Tilly give themselves?

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, inspired by this recent article by the same name, published at mysocialworknews.com, our hosts Vince and Tilly take a closer look at the dark secrets of surviving in social work.

How many of these do you do?

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, our hosts examine the issue of imposter syndrome in social work: what is it, and is it normal?

Vince and Tilly share their own experiences of imposter syndrome, reveal how it has impacted their careers, and share their top tips for combatting it in your own.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, hosts Vince and Tilly ask the question: 'do happier social workers make better social workers?'

Inspired by American social worker Ashley Campbell's column this week at mysocialworknews.com, our dynamic duo discuss the difference in our work when we're happy rather than struggling, ask whether it's ever acceptable to moan and complain in front of the people we support, and question how often our happiness as social workers is (and should be!) checked by our employers.

Join the conversation, every Friday, with your preferred podcast provider.

Created by social workers, for social workers.