Iriss.fm, Scotland's social services podcast

The community social work conference was held on 8 November 2022 in Dunfermline. It was focused on a new model of community social work, which has been launched in Fife. 

We spoke to Colin Turbett, social work author and consultant; and Kathy Henwood, the CSWO of Fife Education and Children’s Services. They provided an introduction to community social work and the set up in Fife.

We also heard from Anne Fitzpatrick, the Team Manage...

This is Me is a campaign that aims to increase public awareness of the experiences of people with learning disabilities.

It is a partnership of the Scottish Learning Disability Observatory (SLDO), the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD), Down's Syndrome Scotland and Promoting a More Inclusive Society (PAMIS). 

Michael McEwan speaks to Dr Deborah Kinnear at SLDO about the campaign. 

Follow the hashtag: ...

ENRICH Scotland is a programme of work that supports research in care homes. 

We speak to the Co-chairs, Emma Law and Susan Shenkin about the programme, what it’s achieving and it’s ambitions.

They explain how research undertaken in care homes improves the lives of people who live in care homes, their families and care home staff. 

Resources

Care home research: an introduction for care home staff

Transcript of episode.

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Heart is a wellbeing model of service delivery for children and their families in East Ayrshire. It is an approach in keeping with the principles of a human rights-based, inclusive service design and delivery.

Michelle from Iriss speaks to Andrew Bryers about the model, its aims and progress to date. Andrew has been social worker since 2007 and has worked in Scotland, London and Australia. He spent six years as a team manager in Ea...

New Routes Home is a partnership of interested individuals and organisations across Scotland who campaign for the right of all people with disabilities to have their own home and to have meaningful choices around where they live, and who (if anyone) lives with them. This includes having choices around how support is organised and directed.

Michael McEwan speaks to Alastair Minty from In Control Scotland about the campaign.

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Is technology the answer for rural social work? 

Jane Pye, Lecturer in Social Work at Lancaster University. explores the potential benefits of using technology, for social workers and people who live rurally and use services.

She also considers the dangers of suggesting that the use of technology is the answer to the challenges of working with rural and remote people and diverse communities.

This presentation was recorded at an eve...

How do we help people live their lives as they want? How can we commission services in a more ethical and person-centred way?

The Gwynedd social care team and local health board in Wales have been changing how home care has been commissioned and delivered. They’ve created a model that moves away from ‘time and task’ to one that is more person- and relationship-centred.

Meilys Heulfryn-Smith, Programme Lead of Community Transformati...

ENABLE Works helps people with learning disabilities and other barriers to employment to obtain and sustain rewarding employment.

What are some of the barriers and what is the current situation for disabled people seeking employment?

Michael McEwan speaks to Lianne Williams, Depute Director at ENABLE Scotland, and Mark Cuff, who speaks about his experiences of seeking and sustaining employment.

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In November 2021, Iriss held event that explored how to shape and support independent, inclusive living for people.

Our guest speaker was Kiana Kalantar-Hormozi, an artist, filmmaker and activist. She was nominated one of the 30, most inspirational women in Scotland under the age of 30 in 2017, and was Muscular Dystrophy UK Campaigner of the Year in 2018.

Kiana gives her views from her own personal experiences of how we can move fo...

For disabled people, what has been the learning from the Covid-19 pandemic? And what now needs to happen to ensure better lives? 

Michael McEwan, a reporter on disability issues, speaks to Health Journalist and Broadcaster, Pennie Taylor about the history of care and support for people with disabilities, the impact of Covid-19 and how support and services can be improved.

He also speaks to Tracey Campbell, a parent whose daughter h...

What can rural social workers take from the experiences of the pandemic and how can they stay connected?

Digital technologies and our experiences during COVID-19 have highlighted new ways for rural social workers to connect to and support one another, and gain access to new learning opportunities.

Iain Ramsay, Professional Social Work Adviser at Scottish Government, shares his experiences as a social worker in a rural area.

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Cop 26, the global United Nations climate change conference took place this month in Glasgow.

What is the impact of the climate emergency on disabled people and how do they have their voices heard? 

Michael McEwan speaks with Susie Fitton, Policy Officer at Inclusion Scotland about their involvement at Cop 26, the impacts of climate change on disabled people, the challenges, and what needs to happen to make sure disabled people are...

The Centre for Public Impact, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and Iriss are together delivering events in November and December 2021 that will explore how a Human Learning Systems approach can support people and organisations to commission health and social care differently.

In this episode, Toby Lowe, Visiting Professor of Public Management at the Centre for Public Impact; and Diana Hekerem, Head of Transformational Redesign Suppo...