The Social Work Pivot

Send a text In this episode, I sit down with Rich Devine, a dedicated social worker, to explore the emotional and psychological challenges of the profession. Rich shares his personal journey, from his early motivations influenced by his father's struggles, to his experiences in child protection and the impact of his work on his own life.  We delve into the realities of social work, discussing...

Send a text In this inspiring episode, I welcome Oretha Wofford, a dedicated social worker, to share her remarkable journey from childhood in care to becoming a leader in social work.  Oretha's story begins with her powerful childhood memory of black bin bags which evolved into a lifelong commitment to ensuring no child feels devalued. Discover how Oretha's experiences shaped her career,...

Send a text Join me as I sit down with Kate Cuthbertson, a seasoned social worker and accredited coach, to explore the transformative journey from frontline social work to coaching and mentoring.  In this insightful episode, Kate shares her early childhood experiences that led to embarking on her social work career, the impact of coaching on social work practice, and the importance of maintaining...

Send a text In this episode of the Social Work Pivot Podcast, I have the pleasure of interviewing Geraldine Wetherell, the co-creator of CUBAS, alongside Clair Chamberlain. CUBAS is a dynamic and adaptable parenting assessment model and software-assisted solution designed to empower social workers. Geraldine shares her inspiring journey into social work, the development of CUBAS, and how this inno...

Send a text In this episode, I dive into the second type of career pivot, where you remain in the same career but transition to a different sector. As a social worker, you may find yourself emotionally drained, feeling unheard, or misaligned with your current setting. This episode addresses these challenges and explores how you can stay connected to your identity as a social worker while finding n...

Send a text  In this episode of "The Social Work Pivot," I address the feeling of career stagnation among social workers. I explore the challenges faced by experienced social workers who feel undervalued and unsure of their next steps. I introduce the "Social Work Pivot Flywheel," a process designed to help social workers move forward with intention and align their careers with...

Send a text Today's podcast episode is an interview with Wendy Grant, a seasoned social worker whose career spans South Africa and the UK. In this insightful episode, Wendy shares her journey into social work, influenced by her parents' values and the societal changes in South Africa. Discover the differences in social work practice between the two countries, and learn about Wendy's...

Send a text Today, I’m joined by Ellie Iovine, a former child protection social worker turned full-time life coach. Ellie spent 10 years in frontline safeguarding, working with children and families in crisis. She remained committed to direct client work, serving as an advanced practitioner for three years, but never felt drawn to management—she thrived in community-based work, making a direct imp...

Send a text Is statutory social work really a lifelong career—or just one part of your journey? In this inspiring episode, we explore why many child and family social workers are leaving the profession earlier than expected. We unpack the impact of burnout, health issues, time and financial pressures—and why simply training more social workers won’t fix the retention crisis. More importantly, we’l...

Send a text In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast , I speak with Carrissa Kai, a former social worker turned Trauma-Informed Body Transformation Coach. Carrissa shares how her experience with burnout, mental health struggles, and obesity led her to create Keep Me Curvy , where she helps high-achieving women break free from emotional eating and metabolic disease. Before launching her bus...

Send a text In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, I’m joined by Valeria Kadelski (Val), an ICF-certified coach, who helps professionals navigate career transitions with clarity and confidence. Originally from Italy and now based in Denmark, Val specialises in supporting millennial expats in building fulfilling, purpose-driven careers.   Coaching can be a powerful tool for us as social...

Send a text Are you feeling burnt out in statutory child and family social work but don’t want to leave social work altogether? You’re not alone. Many social workers reach a point where the long hours, high caseloads, and emotional strain become overwhelming—but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the profession you love. In this episode, we revisit the four types of career pivot (see episode...

Send a text In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast , we explore why volunteering can be a game-changer for social workers looking to expand their skills, build networks, and even pivot their careers. Many social workers underestimate the value of trusteeship and volunteering, yet these roles provide opportunities to gain governance experience, influence decision-making, and develop leade...

Send a text In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast , I’m joined by Sarah Cairns, a trauma-informed social worker with over a decade of experience across child protection, fostering and adoption, court work, and residential care in Scotland and England. Now balancing independent social work alongside a statutory role, Sarah shares her journey, insights on making the transition, and how sh...

Send a text In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast , I sit down with Victoria Adepoju, a social worker, safeguarding trainer, and children's author based in London. Victoria shares her journey from working in child protection to becoming an advocate for children's safety through literature. Her experiences led her to write No More Secrets Simi and No More Secrets Isaac , books...

Send a text In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast , I sit down with Peter Buturo, founder of Bold Leap and author of Social Work and Beyond . With years of extensive and direct experience with children in care, Peter’s passionate nature speaks for itself. His own adolescence mirrored that of many children in care, and his caring and helpful personality led him to a career in social work...

Send a text Thinking about a career pivot but unsure where to start? In this solo episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast , Janet explores how coaching can help social workers gain clarity, make confident career decisions, and take action toward new opportunities. Drawing from her own experiences with coaching, Janet breaks down the difference between coaching and mentoring, introduces practical...

Send a text Podcast Introduction:Rougi started her journey in social work through the Frontline programme, where she honed her skills and passion for supporting families. But Rougi’s story doesn’t stop there. She’s now on an exciting path to becoming a Systemic Psychotherapist and currently works as a Family Therapist within CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). In this episode, Rou...

Send a text Episode Description: In this inspiring episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast , Janet sits down with Angie Bartoli, an accomplished social worker, academic, and author of Becoming a Social Work Manager . Drawing on her extensive career and doctoral research, Angie shares valuable insights into the transition from practitioner to manager and how she found her passion in academia. Whet...

Send a text In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, we explore practical strategies to help social workers succeed in job interviews. If you're aiming for a role in statutory services, this episode covers the essentials to ensure you present your skills, communicate your experience, and emphasise your values confidently. Learn what to focus on in your preparation, how to handle comm...

Send a text In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, we welcome Priya, a seasoned social worker with extensive experience in child and family services across multiple countries. After moving with her family to Abu Dhabi, Priya returned recently to the UAE and has launched her own safeguarding company in the field. She takes us through the unique challenges of working in Abu Dhabi, sharing...

Send a text In this solo episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, we explore how flexible working can be the key to unlocking your next career pivot. Whether you're looking to shift into a new area of social work, transition to independent practice, or explore roles outside of statutory services, embracing flexibility in your work life can provide the freedom and space to pursue your next st...

Send a text On this episode of The Social Work Pivot, I’m joined by Connor Appleton, a UK-trained child and family social worker who made the bold move to permanently relocate to Australia in 2022. Connor shares his first-hand experience of the culture shock that came with living and working in a new country, as well as the unique challenges and opportunities he’s encountered practising social wor...

Send a text On this episode of The Social Work Pivot, I’m thrilled to welcome Laura Taylor, Independent Social Worker and Therapeutic Parenting Coach. With over 15 years of experience in child and family social work, much of Laura’s career has been dedicated to working with children in care and supporting foster carers. She is passionate about trauma-informed care and enhancing the practice of par...

Send a text In this episode of The Social Work Pivot, I sit down with Karlene Ruddock, a qualified social worker who began her career in children’s services, working in safeguarding before transitioning to adults. She moved from permanent to locum work along the way and is now training to become an occupational therapist. Karlene’s story is one of determination and purpose. When she realised socia...