Social Work Radio

Social Work Radio

Social Work Radio brings you interviews and discussions on the issues that matter to social workers in the real world. From politics and policies to dating and ethical dilemmas, there’s something for everyone.

Episodes

June 12, 2025 60 mins

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.

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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 these practices suggest about changing ...

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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 landscapes on the profession. Join ...

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May 22, 2025 57 mins
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.   Join the conversation, every Friday m...
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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 protection of vulnerable individuals a...

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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.

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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.

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April 25, 2025 58 mins

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 morning.

Created by social workers, for...

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April 10, 2025 45 mins

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, for social workers.

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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, and share the experiences of emotion...

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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 practice, and discusses practical s...

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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 management, as well as tackling overwhel...

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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 optimism, or concern? And both Vince and C...

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March 7, 2025 54 mins

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 discuss how we can we better protect soc...

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February 28, 2025 49 mins

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.

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February 21, 2025 50 mins

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 forget to take part in the consultation,...

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This week, inspired by THIS news article, our hosts are exploring how these numbers compare to past trends and whether they match what frontline social workers experience. As they discuss the scale of intervention, and the impact of poverty and early intervention cuts, they ask the question: Are we removing too many children from families?

 

Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the discussion every Friday morning.

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February 7, 2025 49 mins

This week our hosts discuss the draw to morally grey characters... can you relate...?

 

Created by social workers, for social workers. Tune in every Friday!

 

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This week our hosts are delving into the world of social media, examining a number of recent high profile cases that have seen social media influencers and family YouTubers come under scrutiny.

What are the safeguarding views? What about the issues surrounding child consent? Is there space for online monitoring?

Join the conversation, every Friday. Created by social workers, for social workers.

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January 24, 2025 46 mins

This week our hosts are discussing the appeal that is currently underway to allow the media to name the family court judges, social workers, and guardians involved in the care of Sara Sharif, ahead of her death.

Is there ever a need to publicly name social workers? What are the pros and cons of this transparent approach to proceedings? And how can social work professionals better engage with the media?

Join the conversation, every ...

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