Social Work Radio

This week our hosts are talking about Charlie Kirk - reflecting on his views and on the profession’s responsibility to call out harmful rhetoric without endorsing harm, and talking about the circumstances of his death and the public shock. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

This week our social work hosts, Vince and Cara, are talking about the news that Josh MacAlister has been appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Education, taking on the role of children’s minister following Janet Daby’s departure in the government reshuffle. Here are seven key changes they predict think will be coming... Created by social workers, for social wor...

This week our hosts are exploring this news story, about a social worker convicted of fraud after it was discovered she was working three jobs at the same time. Vince and Cara discuss the wider context of the story, reflecting on the cost-of-living crisis, stagnant wages, and how side hustles and second jobs are becoming increasingly common in social work. Was this pure greed and dishonesty...or d...

This week our social work hosts are taking a closer look at DASH - Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Honour-based violence checklist - after it was revealed that 55 women were killed after being assessed as low risk under the police tool. Vince and Cara outline the system, examine the concerns, and debate whether reliance on tick-box assessments undermines professional judgement. Created by social work...

This week, inspired by THIS feature , our social work hosts are reflecting on the financial realities for social workers today, and discussing the benefits of side hustles - and how they can provide breathing space financially - without breaching professional boundaries. Want to know more...? Created by social workers, for social workers, join the conversation every Friday morning

This week, inspired by THIS column at mysocialworknews.com, our host Cara reflects on her personal experiences of incorporating "little treats" into challenging workdays and their impact on motivation and wellbeing. Together, she and Vince discuss how small acts of self-kindness can transform the work experience and enhance productivity and emotional resilience. Created by social workers, for soci...

On this week's podcast, our social work hosts, Vince and Cara, discuss Social Work England's decision to increase registration fees despite overwhelming opposition, and examine reactions from frontline social workers. What do YOU think? Join the conversation, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, our social work hosts delve into what psychological safety means in professional environments, explore how it enables better professional decision-making, and reflect on how it can improve employee wellbeing and reduce burnout. They also share personal insights and experiences. Join the conversation every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, our social work hosts reflect on what's more important - money or happiness - as they explore the dispute over market-rate pay increases for social workers at Brighton & Hove City Council, and the strike action taken in response. They reflect on the significance of equitable pay in maintaining morale and job satisfaction among social workers, and debate how clear career pathways and...

Inspired by THIS news story, about the recent appointment of young Reform councillors Joseph Boam (22) and Charles Pugsley (19) at Leicestershire County Council, our hosts are discussing public and professional reactions. Join the conversation, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

Inspired by THIS column, this week our hosts are exploring how parenting supervision and surveillance have dramatically changed in the past 40 years, discussing the freedom versus safety debate. As they discuss examples from the past, and reflects on the social and cultural reasons behind these practices, and the shifts in social work's view of child welfare and protection, they consider what thes...

Inspired by THIS article and THIS column, this week our hosts are exploring the idea of Artificial Intelligence in social work, highlighting potential benefits - such as reduced admin and streamlined processes - and exploring concerns - particularly regarding empathy, professional judgment, and ethical decision-making. They also discuss changes to agency work, and the impact of shifting political...

On this week's show, our hosts provide an overview of Social Work England’s new 'Change the Script' campaign, highlighting the research findings about negative public perceptions of social workers, and the importance of changing the narrative. They discuss how negative media portrayals impact social workers, and reflect on why altering public perception is crucial for the profession's future.   Jo...

Inspired by this news story about Tommy Sheridan this week, our podcast hosts debate the specific factors influencing decisions about employing individuals with criminal convictions in sensitive professional roles. They discuss potential risks, public trust, and safeguarding concerns, highlight the importance of rehabilitation, and explore how a balanced approach can be achieved, ensuring both pro...

On this week’s episode, our social work hosts reflect on how social work has deepened their empathy and compassion, and improved their personal relationships and interactions. Created by social workers, for social workers Join the conversation every Friday morning.

On this week’s episode, our hosts discuss how working in social work has shaped their views on social justice, inequalities, and systemic challenges. They reflect on how their personal views sometimes clash with those of friends, and share strategies for managing their emotional responses. Join the conversation, every Friday morning. Created by social worker, for social workers.

This week our hosts are taking a closer look at the recent Supreme Court ruling, summarising the key outcomes and its implications. Together, they examine how political parties are navigating this issue, the tensions it has created, and the implications of the ruling for social work practice - particularly around single-sex services and safeguarding issues. Join the conversation, every Friday morn...

This week, our hosts Vince and Cara are reflecting on two stories published at mysocialworknews.com this week:  Is it appropriate to be friends with your manager?  and  My best friend at work is leaving for a new job, and it hurts worse than a break-up as they explore boundaries, the potential for conflict, and how friendships can enhance or complicate professional roles. Created by social workers...

On this week's podcast, five years on from the pandemic, our hosts discuss their initial personal and professional reactions to the start of lockdown, recalling the early challenges and uncertainties - from remote working to increased safeguarding concerns. Vince and Cara reflect on the lasting changes in practice introduced during the pandemic, including remote assessments and virtual meetings, a...

This week, our hosts are exploring the theories behind Mel Robbins' "Let Them" approach, highlighting key insights from her new book, reflecting on the importance of emotional boundaries, and the challenge of accepting things beyond our control. As Vince and Cara explore their initial thoughts on "Let Them," and its relevance to social work practice, they share personal experiences from their own...

In this week's podcast, our hosts Vince and Cara, inspired by THIS article at mysocialworknews.com, discuss the importance of taking the time to spring clean your caseload, and declutter your digital life in order to blow the professional cobwebs away. This includes reflecting on the importance of recognising cases that need to be closed and how lingering cases can negatively impact workload manag...

In this week's podcast, our hosts reflect on the recent statistics - which show that the average social worker caseload in the UK has fallen to the lowest in recorded history - considering frontline reactions to the news, and the credibility of the figures reported. Do these statistics align with the experiences of frontline social workers? Is a decline in agency social workers a cause for optimis...

This week's episode is inspired by this article, after the MailOnline exclusively reported this week that a brawl on the streets of Gateshead last Tuesday was triggered by social workers attempting to remove children from a property in the area. Our hosts, Vince and Cara, share their thoughts on this latest riot, examine why social workers are frequently at the centre of these conflicts, and discu...

If hospitals can call a Code Black, why can’t social work? On this week's episode, our hosts discuss how social work trauma doesn’t explodes - it erodes. What are the systemic failures and government inaction at the heart of the problem?  Would a Code Black even work in social work? Join the discussion, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week our hosts Vince and Cara, both social workers themselves as well as columnists for Social Work News, share their views - along with those of our readers - on the recent news that Social Work England has proposed raising its annual fee by 33% from September 2025. Is the amount fair? Do you feel Social Work England is holding up their end of the deal? Join the conversation. And don't forge...