Do Do Social Work

In this episode Paul and Sarah team up with Veterinary Social Work expert Rebecca Stephens to chat about the link between human and veterinary services.  We deep dive into why companion animals matter in our lives, and how social workers can actually bring an animal inclusive perspective into their everyday practice. A link to Rebecca's CPD module The views represented at time of recording are our...

A new version with better quality vocals...In this episode Paul and Sarah are joined by 'Placement Queen' Sarah Wilkins to discuss the ins and outs, the ups and downs, of course placements. What is it? What does each person involved need to do? And how to survive. It also includes enlightening tips that Sarah learnt from the most inspirational people that she ever met on placement (i.e. Sarah W an...

To celebrate Neurodiversity Awareness Week, Sarah and Paul unpack what ADHD really is—and Paul nervously, (over)shares that he joins the 1 in 7 people with his ADHD diagnosis. They cover the three ADHD presentations, whether VAST is a better description, a plain English look at dopamine, time blindness and hyperfocus, and they myth-bust the classics: “everyone’s got ADHD now,” “everyone forgets th...

In this episode Paul and Sarah have a chat about Experts by Experience, co-production and participation and are joined by Debs Pawley, Coordinator of the Experts by Experience Network at the University of Sussex. The views represented at time of recording are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for. Show Notes: Fox, J. (2020). Perspectives of experts-by-experien...

Do you like being in a group, or are you a lone wolf, or somewhere in-between? In this festive episode, Sarah and Paul chat about group dynamics, reflecting on not only what it means in social work, but also their own lives.   The views represented at time of recording are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for.   Further Resources:   Tuckman's stages of group...

What does trauma-informed practice really mean? Is it just another buzzword, another thing we have to do—or something that can genuinely change how we work with people every day? In this episode, Sarah and Paul chat with Professor Kristi Langhoff, a leading voice in trauma-informed practice. Together, they break it down into everyday language—exploring what it is, what it isn’t, its key principles...

Sarah and Paul discuss the current concerns about the effectiveness of the Domestic, Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour-Based Violence (DASH) assessment. Is it still fit for purpose, and what can this mean for other social work approaches and tools?   The views represented at time of recording are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for.   Show notes:   BBC...

Be prepared to smash it at interviews. Sarah and Paul discuss the do dos and no nos of interviews. It's a serious matter, but we enjoyed talking about it with a few giggles on the way. Although tailored for social work, these tips can be applied to all types of interview experiences, including being accepted onto a course or module.   Some more tips are available on the Social Work Portal: https:/...

Sarah and Paul discuss what’s happening with AI, ChatGPT, and using big data to inform risk. Will AI be a help or a hindrance? They also discuss how to be part of the change and ensure that professional and lived experiences are not lost. Oh, and Paul does his famous Sir Keir Starmer impression. Ferguson, H. (2018) ‘Making home visits: Creativity and the embodied practices of home visiting in soci...

In this episode, Sarah and Paul provide tips on one of the most necessary but often confusing parts of social work practice – critical reflection and critical thinking. What is it? Why do we need to do it? Is Bowlby all he’s cracked up to be? How do you fend off comments that you are too descriptive in your writing and not critical enough?   Maclean, S. (2016) A new model for social work reaction:...

In this episode Sarah and Paul discuss Relationship Based Practice with children. After a few months away they felt a bit rusty so roped in experienced Social Work Manager and all round good egg Laura Lacey to help. The views represented at time of recording are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for. Show Notes: Gillian Ruch, Danielle Turney, Adrian Ward, 2010...

In this episode Sarah and Paul discuss good communication skills, the challenges and what it means in practice. Paul tries out Egan’s Skilled Helper Model on an unsuspecting Sarah.  The views represented at time of recording are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for. Show Notes: Egan, G, 2012, The Skilled Helper, 10th Ed, Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning https://n...

In this episode Sarah and Paul discuss LGBTQIA+ issues. They talk about marginalisation, discrimination, intersectionality and how to work in an inclusive way. Paul also discusses his queerdom and his time bunking off from Gay School. The views represented at time of recording are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for. Shownotes: Kinsey (2004). Film directed b...

Sarah and Paul discuss the difficult topic of retention and recruitment, what it feels like not to have recognition for the work social workers do do and how this leads to moral distress. They also talk through Murphy's (2023) and Ravalier et al.'s (2023) new research on working conditions, and Paul suggests that often it's easier to say you're gay than say you're a social worker. The views repres...

This time Sarah and Paul discuss a book chapter written by Paul! The chapter focusses on the shaky assumptions that are often made with Kinship Care placements.  The chapter is part of an upcoming book out in July called: The Future of Children's Care: Critical Perspectives on Children's Services Reform Editors: Robin Sen and Christian Kerr Other contributors include:     Avery Bowser, Taliah Dray...

Content warning: This podcast contains references to domestic abuse from the outset which some may find distressing. Sarah and Paul discuss domestic abuse, including victim-survivor experience, trauma responses and social work practice. Domestic abuse is a sensitive, complex and sadly all too common aspect of social work practice. As with all episodes our intention is to create informative discuss...

For Social Work Month/Week/Day - Sarah and Paul discuss social action, social justice and critical social work. What do they mean? Should we be doing them? If so, how? Do we even have enough time? So many questions – and all managed despite Sarah’s high calcium levels. Don’t ask! The views represented are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for. References: Camp...

Sarah and Paul chat about the stresses and strains for social workers and families at Christmas time. This episode gets a bit silly and there is a bit too much singing - we are truly sorry.  More than ever the views represented are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for.

Sarah and Paul and debt expert Ripon Ray discuss the cost of living crisis, money matters, anti-poverty practice and what it means for us and the people we work with. The views represented are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for. Ripon's Debt Talk podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7hoqQcAQxcZjNnifU92eEc Ripon's website: http://www.yourdoctord...

In advance of the new academic year, Sarah and Paul discuss their own UK social work student experiences, and provide recommendations and tips for students to survive and get ahead in their studies and placements. Recommendations include: Child Abuse and Neglect, Attachment, Development and Intervention. David Howe, Palgrave Macmillan 2005 Attachment Handbook for Foster Care and Adoption. Schofiel...

Sarah and Paul finish their epic discussion of "The Independent Review of Children's Social Care". In this episode Paul mentions the work of Children England, and Martin Barrow. The views represented are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for.  

Sarah and Paul continue their discussion of "The Independent Review of Children's Social Care". The views represented are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for.

UK based social workers Sarah and Paul introduce themselves and the idea behind their new podcast. They have irreverent reflections and giggles on how their week has been, and then dive in to the murky background of "The Independent Review of Children's Social Care". The views represented are our own and do not reflect any organisations we work for or have worked for.