Messy Social Work

This episode explores the profound complexities of addiction, trauma, and recovery, featuring the deeply personal and inspiring journey of guest Ian Thomas, a social worker and speaker with lived experience of addiction and healing. In this conversation, we cover: Understanding Addiction and Trauma Drawing from Gabor Maté’s In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, the discussion highlights addiction as a re...

In this episode, Tim Fisher and Rich Devine kick off 2025 with reflections on personal and professional goals, recent events, and an inspiring conversation with guest Vicki Shevlin, creator of Social Work Sorted . The discussion explores social work practice, personal growth, and the profession’s challenges.    Key Highlights:         1.  Personal Reflections and Goals:           •Rich emphasizes...

Links: Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-devine-181763177/  

 In this episode, Tim Fisher and Rich Devine are joined by Becca Carr-Hopkins for a powerful conversation about use of self, attachment theory, and the transformative power of relationships in social work practice.  Becca shares her journey into social work, insights on adapting to challenging environments, and how understanding attachment can unlock deeper connections with families. Rich reflects...

 Links:  Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-devine-181763177/ 

The podcast focuses on two main themes: assessing capacity to change in social work and a parent’s personal journey through the child protection system.  Part 1: Assessing Capacity to Change  Rich Devine shares insights from his 14 years in social work, focusing on the challenges of evaluating a parent’s capacity to change within child protection contexts.            1.       Challenges in Assessi...

Tim's article:  https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/138533/bernheim-et-al-2024-the-power-and-potential-of-space-and-place-in-family-group-conferencing-reimagining-the-role-of-the.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y  We hope you enjoyed this episode, please do contact us and share your reflections. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to explore, do get in to...

Tim Fisher and Rich Devine kick off with reflections on culture and connection, inspired by recent experiences, including Rich’s first trip to the theatre to watch Les Misérables. They discuss the profound impact of stories and how creative expressions like theatre offer fresh perspectives on justice, empathy, and the challenges of human connection. The episode’s highlight is a conversation with R...

In this week’s episode of the Relational Activism and Social Work Podcast, Tim Fisher and Rich Devine dive into strategies for social workers when feeling “stuck” in cases, especially in longstanding family dynamics where change can be elusive. Rich introduces a framework for recognizing situational and psychological denial in families, exploring the defensive mechanisms that arise in challenging...

In this episode of Relational Activism in Social Work, hosts Tim Fisher and Rich Devine are joined by Terri-Anne Hamer, a care-experienced activist, who shares her powerful journey of overcoming intergenerational challenges and finding her voice within the care community. Terri-Anne reflects on her unique path, discussing her experiences as a third-generation care-experienced individual, her role...

In this episode, Rich kicks things off by admitting his secret fuel: a double-double coffee (that's double strength, double shot!)—the only thing that kept him going through late nights in child protection. He then dives into his approach to direct work with children, sharing insights that go beyond caffeine-fuelled energy.  We’re also treated to a voice note from social worker and TEDx speak...

In this episode, Rich and Tim explore the practicalities of analysis. Rich draws on his wealth of experiences and deep dives into analysis. Tim showcases his podcasting skills with an expertly timed musical interlude, which allows Tim and Rich to transition smoothly to talk about the Relational Activism Manifesto. Finally, we say goodbye before concluding with an Eckart Tolle quote—no, wait, we th...

In this episode we speak with Team Manager of a Family Placement Team, Toni Mayo. She talked about:   - Different types of kindship care arrangements  - How LA's can improve their support for Kinship Carers  - How Social workers can support Kinship Carers Tim shares his experience of attending the Kempe Conference, and learning about the Family Finding Model developed by Kevin Campbell, and f...

In this episode, we speak to the brilliant and wonderful, Kar-Man. She generously and articulately shares her story and experience of social workers engaging with her.  We talk about Kinship Care Week (07th -014th October), referencing the following:  https://kinship.org.uk/get-involved/kinship-care-week/ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/championing-kinship-care-national-kinship-care-str...

This week Tim Fisher and Rich Devine explore the role of story in social work and how we define parental engagement. 

The link for Rhian Taylor's book is here:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fosterboy-Rhian-Taylor/dp/183816202X https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Fosterboy-by-Rhian-Taylor/9781838162023  The Gaps website article discussed is here - https://gaps.org.uk/how-to-make-a-social-worker-reflections-on-social-work-education/ E-mail for Rhian: Rhian.c.taylor@outlook.com BASW Child Protection Master Cl...

BASW Child Protection Master Class Series: https://www.basw.co.uk/basw-child-protection-masterclass-series Relational Activism Webinar Series: https://www.relationalactivism.com/upcoming Any questions please contact me on richdevinesocialwork@gmail.com Connect with me on: https://twitter.com/RichardDevineSW Follow my blog, where you can be sent fortnightly blogs on topics covered on this podcast:...

This week I interview Rob Tucker, Director and Independent Social Work Consultant at RGT Training and Consultancy Ltd. He is one  of the most impressive and inspiring social workers I have met. I wish every social worker had the chance to learn from Rob about communication skills with children. In my view, he is unparalleled in his knowledge, skill and has an infectious passion for the work. If yo...

BASW Child Protection Master Class Series: https://www.basw.co.uk/basw-child-protection-masterclass-series Relational Activism Webinar Series: https://www.relationalactivism.com/upcoming Any questions please contact me on richdevinesocialwork@gmail.com Connect with me on: https://twitter.com/RichardDevineSW Follow my blog, where you can be sent fortnightly blogs on topics covered on this podcast:...

BASW Child Protection Master Class Series: https://www.basw.co.uk/basw-child-protection-masterclass-series Relational Activism Webinar Series: https://www.relationalactivism.com/upcoming Any questions please contact me on richdevinesocialwork@gmail.com Connect with me on: https://twitter.com/RichardDevineSW Follow my blog, where you can be sent fortnightly blogs on topics covered on this podcast:...

BASW Child Protection Master Class Series: https://www.basw.co.uk/basw-child-protection-masterclass-series Relational Activism Webinar Series: https://www.relationalactivism.com/upcoming Any questions please contact me on richdevinesocialwork@gmail.com Connect with me on: https://twitter.com/RichardDevineSW Follow my blog, where you can be sent fortnightly blogs on topics covered on this podcast:...

Vicki Shevlins website , podcast , and new, brilliant assessment guide BASW Child Protection Master Class Series: https://www.basw.co.uk/basw-child-protection-masterclass-series Relational Activism Webinar Series: https://www.relationalactivism.com/upcoming Any questions please contact me on richdevinesocialwork@gmail.com Connect with me on: https://twitter.com/RichardDevineSW Follow my blog, wher...

BASW Child Protection Master Class Series: https://www.basw.co.uk/basw-child-protection-masterclass-series Any questions please contact me on richdevinesocialwork@gmail.com Connect with me on: https://twitter.com/RichardDevineSW Follow my blog, where you can be sent fortnightly blogs on topics covered on this podcast: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ If you enjoyed this episode, please s...

BASW Child Protection Master Class Series: https://www.basw.co.uk/basw-child-protection-masterclass-series Any questions please contact me on richdevinesocialwork@gmail.com Connect with me on: https://twitter.com/RichardDevineSW Follow my blog, where you can be sent fortnightly blogs on topics covered on this podcast: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ If you enjoyed this episode, please s...

BASW Child Protection Master Class Series: https://www.basw.co.uk/basw-child-protection-masterclass-series Any questions please contact me on richdevinesocialwork@gmail.com Connect with me on: https://twitter.com/RichardDevineSW Follow my blog, where you can be sent fortnightly blogs on topics covered on this podcast: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ If you enjoyed this episode, please s...