The Social Matters Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, The Social Matters Podcast team takes you inside the launch of the Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding, a two-day international event hosted by Durham University and created by Professor Carlene Firmin.

The Centre marks a new chapter in how we understand and respond to the safety of young people, recognising that protection must extend beyond the home to the spaces where adolescents spend their lives: schools, neighbourhoods, online and among peers.

Joined by a remarkable panel of guests whose collective work has shaped safeguarding policy, practice and research across the UK and beyond, this episode brings together:

Jimmy Paul, Head of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit and advocate for public health approaches to preventing violence.

Ben Lindsay OBE, founder and CEO of Power the Fight, community leader and social entrepreneur dedicated to tackling violence affecting young people.

Jahnine Davis, Director of ListenUp and national expert on adultification bias and the safeguarding of Black children.

Luke Billingham, youth worker and researcher focused on social infrastructure, education, and youth policy.

Aika Stephenson, solicitor and co-founder of Just for Kids Law, recognised for her pioneering work in youth justice.

Professor Carlene Firmin, founder of Contextual Safeguarding and leading researcher on adolescent safety in social contexts.

Together, these voices reflect the depth and diversity of the global movement for Contextual Safeguarding uniting research, lived experience, and frontline practice to build safer communities for adolescents everywhere.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to share it, leave a review, and follow. You can also find out more about the great work at the Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding at https://www.contextualsafeguarding.org.uk/

In this episode, we’re joined by the inspiring Jade Barnett, co-founder of Power2Prevail, an organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable young people to see that their past and present circumstances don’t define their future.

Jade’s work focuses on supporting care-experienced young people as they navigate the journey towards independence, employment and self-belief. Through mentorship, training and storytelling, Power2Prevail helps young people recognise their potential and take ownership of their next steps.

In our conversation, Jade shares what inspired her to start Power2Prevail and the real-life challenges many young people in care face when the system expects them to "adult" with limited support. 

Jade also opens up about her own journey, how her own lived experience has fuelled her passion for creating change, what empowerment really looks like in action, and why giving young people a voice in their own narratives matters so deeply.

This episode is another reminder of the importance of belonging, transformation and hope. Jade reminds us that success isn’t about where you start, but the support, courage and belief that carry you forward.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to share it, leave a review, and follow us on all our social media platforms.

📲 Instagram: @power2prevail_
🌍 Website: power2prevail.co.uk

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💼 LinkedIn: Social Matters
🌍 Website: socialmatters.org.uk

In this episode, we dive right into the Netflix series Adolescence—what it reveals about systemic issues in today’s world, the societal lessons it offers, and how it reflects the challenges of being a teenager.

Adolescence is more than just a phase; it’s a critical period of self-discovery, identity formation, and navigating systemic pressures. But how has the experience of being a teenager evolved, and what does Adolescence teach us about the ways society shapes (and often fails) young people?

Whether it’s toxic masculinity, violence against women and girls, socio-economic inequality, or the pressures of social media, we explore the unique struggles facing teenagers today—and what we can do, as individuals and as a collective, to create a more supportive world where adolescents can thrive rather than just survive.

If you’re a fan of the TV show, care about youth empowerment, and want to help shape a better future for the next generation, this episode is for you.

Tune in, share, and join the conversation.

📲 Instagram: @matterspodcast
💼 LinkedIn: Social Matters
🌍 Website: socialmatters.org.uk

Three friends that happen to be social workers discuss current social/social work issues from their front room.

Your favourite trio of social workers get together once again and are joined by special guest Dave Tapsell. Dave is a Social Worker, Systemic Psychotherapist and jointly wrote the article titled 'Seeking permission: an interviewing stance for finding connection with hard to reach families'. In this episode Dave provides his thoughtful and practical approach to engaging others in an ethical way through the use of permission seeking. 

With the inherent power that social workers have when coming face-to-face with families, how can we ensure that our power is use in an ethical and anti-oppressive way? This is a conversation that Nadia, Fran and Eugene were eager to reflect on. Tune in for another thought provoking and insightful episode. 

If you enjoy this episode then share with your friends, leave a review and follow The Social Matters Podcast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The handle is @matterspodcast 

Three friends that happen to be social workers discuss current social/social work issues from their front room. 

Your favourite trio of social workers get together once again to have a conversation about poverty. Poverty is such a significant factor for many people in society but do we, as social workers, have enough conversations about the impact of poverty? How often is this in the forefront of our minds when we are understanding the experience of others and making decisions on their abilities?

This is a conversation that Nadia, Fran and Eugene were keen to have and to share their experience, reflections and ideas about poverty and it's role in social work. Tune in for another intriguing and informative episode. 

If you enjoy this episode then share with your friends, leave a review and follow The Social Matters Podcast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The handle is @matterspodcast 

Three friends that happen to be social workers discuss current social/social work issues from their front room. 

Your favourite trio of social workers get together once again to have a conversation about the topic of 'Shame'. Shame is an invisible force that effects every person. It is present in our emotional, cognitive and physical selves but is this talked about as much as it should be? What is your understanding of shame? How may this impact on your work and/or interactions with others?

Nadia, Fran and Eugene start a conversation with no real idea of where this may go but recognise the need of sharing this conversation with others. Tune in for another intriguing and informative episode. 

If you enjoy this episode then share with your friends, leave a review and follow The Social Matters Podcast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The handle is @matterspodcast 

Three friends that happen to be social workers discuss current social/social work issues from their front room. 

Your favourite trio of social workers get together once again to have a conversation about active listening. Listening sounds like quite a simple task but are we actually actively listening?

As a part of their roles as social workers Nadia, Fran and Eugene do a lot of listening to people's stories and perceptions. The reporting of these stories will inevitably involve some level of interpretation. So if they are not actively listening and demonstrating that they are then they'll end up doing their clients a disservice. Sounds tricky right?

In this episode, the trio share their experiences of actively listening to other. What tips they have learnt and what could be the possible pitfalls. Tune in for a fun, engaging and informative discussion! 

If you enjoy this episode then share with your friends, leave a review and follow The Social Matters Podcast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The handle is @matterspodcast 

Three friends that happen to be social workers discuss current social/social work issues from their front room. 

Your favourite trio of social workers are back with a thought provoking and revealing conversation about mental health. In this episode Nadia, Fran and Eugene discuss how they talk about mental health in their professional and personal lives.

Society has progressed over the past decades where more and more people are having conversations about mental health. There is more of an awareness in mainstream media and on social media. However, to some extent, there remains a stigma attached to mental health and talking about it. 

How comfortable are you in talking about your mental health with friends, family, colleagues? Do you struggle to find the language or know how to respond? Join Nadia, Fran and Eugene to hear some of their own struggles and successes. This is one episode not to be missed!

If you enjoy this episode then share with your friends, leave a review and follow The Social Matters Podcast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The handle is @matterspodcast 

Three friends that happen to be social workers discuss current social/social work issues from their front room. 

Your favourite trio of social workers are back with episode eight of season two. In this episode Nadia, Fran and Eugene talk about the notion of Curiosity and what this looks like in the context of their work and every day lives. 

Nadia, Fran and Eugene discuss curiosity as a stance or way of being that can allow for someone to learn more about other's circumstances and respond in a way that best fits the situation. But what does this look like in reality? 

If you enjoy this episode then share with your friends, leave a review and follow The Social Matters Podcast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The handle is @matterspodcast 

Three friends that happen to be social workers discuss current social/social work issues from their front room. 

Your favourite trio of social workers are back with episode seven of this new season. In this episode Nadia, Fran and Eugene talk about Mentalization, a technique used in social work practice. The ability to understand your own mind and the mind of others sounds like a complicated task! However, there is a way. Tune in to hear Nadia, Fran and Eugene discuss their understanding and how this can be used in every day life.

If you enjoy this episode then share with your friends, leave a review and follow The Social Matters Podcast on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The handle is @matterspodcast