The Social World Podcast

Kieran is a media linguist and communication consultant. His PhD research explored the language of media interviews and he is now working with David Niven Associates to help analyse the negative portrayal of social work in British media. In this interview Kieran provides an academic perspective of the way social work is presented in the media. He has conducted qualitative analysis of articles from...

Professional Officer for the British Association of Social Workers, Nushra, gives an excellent interview/discussion. We talk about social work reforms, the representation of social work and the troubles which Nushra and others in the profession face – and she offers support and advice. Initially she explains information shared at a social work summit, this was centered around revealing the new pro...

Practical discussion with Jenni Randall and David Akinsanya, providing advice for front line staff and students. Jenni was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for her social work services. She is an independent social worker and therapist working primarily with children and young people who are or have been in public care.  David is a successful campaigner for Looked After children having been...

TV and Radio interviews reflecting child protection cases. I often get approached to give these in response to negative stories as the former Chair of BASW; I feel they should be shared within the social work community to discuss the cases in a balanced view rather than the very negative approach that the media takes towards social work. Firstly, an interview discussing why some women have multipl...

Antonina Dashkina, President of Russian Union of Social Workers and Social Pedagogues, Vice President of INGO Conference, Council of Europe. We explore social work in Russia and the differences between Russia and the UK – most notably Russians view social work with a glass half full attitude rather than the negative attitude the UK appears to have of our profession. Antonina has an incredible weal...

I attended the BASW UK conference and AGM and spoke at a workshop entitled ’embracing a media we love to hate’. It was an excellent day with up to 300 delegates helping to create a lively atmosphere and so I thought it a good idea to reflect on the content of the day. The full lineup of speakers can be found here  and follow #SWspeaksAGM for updates from BASW and delegates of their thoughts from t...

This Podcast features Jon Brown as my guest. We talk of developments in child protection, the work of the NSPCC  and the future strategy and digital importance in safeguarding children. Since April 2010 he has been in post as Head of Strategy and Development with the NSPCC helping to take forward the new organisational strategy in relation to sexual abuse. Jon is responsible for the design and com...

Freelance broadcaster Faye Dicker founded Freelance Mum . Freelance Mum began life in June 2013 when Faye recognised the need to connect like minded women. A freelancer for years, yet mum for much less –  she realised she had a foot in both camps & neither in one. No longer on the baby circuit or in a fixed work place, she was inspired to found FM and create a community to provide inspiration...

I highlight the future interviews scheduled for the programme including Dame Tessa Jowell. – Privatising child protection services –  I reflect on the Children’s Minister Edward Timpson’s latest comments on the current issue about the misrepresentation in the media of government plans. – Community Care have publicised the revised and relaunched standards for social work employers in England. I dou...

David Jones talks about the origins of The Global Agenda for Social Work and the work it is completing during our interview. A common theme throughout our discussion is promoting the voices of front line staff and how we can spread good news stories. By doing so we can provide a greater understanding of social work in the public eye so that when there are scandalous stories hopefully the general p...

Jim – “I have never ever met anybody in the safeguarding community who didn’t care about the people they were going in to protect” Jim Gamble brings over thirty years experience from the world of protective services and a strong reputation for successful delivery in counter terrorism, organized and hi-tech crime prevention and child protection. A strong advocate of international multi-agency partn...

I’ve included an interview from The Media Show on the BBC for you. We discuss adoption and surrounding topics as well as, in my view, the hugely important subject of media representation of social care. We need to stop confusing confidentiality with secrecy and promote the outstanding work that social care staff achieve. I had some fantastic feedback from listeners via twitter and so if you missed...

In conjunction with British Association of the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect ( BASPCAN ) David Niven Associates ( DNA ) hosted This is my childhood; there will be no other . The conference tackled early intervention of the ‘toxic trio’ of domestic violence, substance misuse and mental health issues and how they impact children and families – and as professionals, how we can help....

Initially I debate the current topic in the UK – should social services, especially child protection, be moved to the private sector?  Julian Le Grand has created a storm by saying that services are inadequate and this would be drastically improved by privatisation. Having specialised in child protection throughout my career I give my honest opinions in response to his debate, as well as looking a...

The guest this week is Sandra Trotman Meadows – the Chief Executive Officer of PEYTU, a Bristol based charity providing training and consultancy to the Children & Young People’s workforce. The interview focusses on early years and the influences of the voluntary and charity sector and the importance of early years professionals – and possibly naming them as early years educators. We discuss th...

The Development Manager for Disabled Children’s Services at the Ann Craft Trust (ACT) Sarah Goff and I discuss the role of ACT in safeguarding disabled children and vulnerable adults, and specifically Sarah’s position in the organisation. We discuss the higher vulnerability of disabled children to abuse and the preventative measures which can be taken. She offers her advise to carers and parents o...

Excellent day at  Compass Jobs Fair  which exists to help support and develop the social work and social care workforce. I had the opportunity to talk to a lot of fascinating people with inspiring stories, I have included their interviews to share with you:   1 – Russell Smith the Director of  CarePair  which provides a service to match carers with users. He also runs  Dad In A Shed  which develop...

David Akinsanya is a successful campaigner for Looked After children. The reason for his work is due to his complex and troubled story. David was brought up in care and consequently experienced many troubling events. My interview with David discusses these events and how they have influenced David’s following career and life story. David transpires a positive and emotive message to those in care,...

Faye Dicker of Freelance Bristol Mum and I discuss some of the headlines that have made the papers this week. Included are the risks and effects of older fathers, pushy parenting, drinking alcohol during pregnancy and obesity on the lives of children. These topics raise a lot of debate and differences of opinion, do you agree with our responses to the stories? Faye Dicker was a BBC Radio Bristol p...

Interview with Chief Social Worker for adults, Lyn Romeo. She discusses her role and how the work of adult social workers supports vulnerable adults to live their lives in the way they want to with great success. However she feels this good work has been lost in the public eye and hopes in the future the positive stories and fantastic differences which are made to peoples lives can be transpired i...

An interview with an old friend of the programme Jane Evans who is speaking at ‘This is my childhood’ conference . We discuss trauma in childhood, parenting styles, domestic violence, mental health and substance misuse. These areas are all vitally important and Jane speaks from the front line about some of the issues she is dealing with on a day to day basis. She also discusses her book ‘ How are...

BBC Radio interview where, as an independent child protection expert, I am asked to discuss my opinions following the acquittal of celebrities in abuse cases. Secondly, I look at social media with regards to the role and responsibilities of Professional Social Work and the inherent issues that arise with regards to safeguarding children. Using the results of my own research I examine the ethical a...

Stalking in the UK Deona Hooper informs me of  Social Work Helper and its role in aiding social workers to be represented more fairly in the media. I discuss stalking, it’s impact and training for police, social workers, medics and teachers as well as the voluntary sector. Stalking became a criminal offence in England and Wales on the 25th November 2012. About 1 in 25 women under 60 are victims of...

Peter Garsden is the senior partner at Abney Garsden solicitors. He is my guest this week. We discuss the changing landscape for survivors since he set up the Child Abuse Department in 1994 which he is head of and is now the largest dedicated Abuse compensation department in the country. Their U.K. helpline is  0845 604 7075,  visit their  website . Peter gives his opinion on the recent celebrity...

This week an interview with Annie Hudson, Chief Executive of the College of Social work. Previously Director of Social Services for Bristol, she discusses the role of the College, the challenges ahead for the profession, the image of social work and the impact of social media. Then an interview I gave to the BBC about the social worker recently struck off for gross misconduct and how the public vi...