Today is the International Day of Older Persons; a day to celebrate the amazing shift in our human family as more people live longer. The theme for this year is Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide. It is a timely theme given that by 2030, older […]

“Think about transition as going over a bridge. Look and see what you need to leave behind and honour that. Pick up what you want to take with you and use that. Imagine what you’ll get at the other side and look forward to that.” (Jo) After 8 years of hosting, Jo and I are

Think back to the stories that strike you most from your time as a social worker. For me, there is Elena and her determination to get out of her hospital bed and back to her flat, and the way I described this burning wish in my assessment paperwork so we could get her funding for

When I was seven I was taken to the optician because I couldn’t see the blackboard at school. I remember the incredible sensation when they put lenses in front of my eyes of everything around me coming into focus. I have been having the same experience putting the lens of intersectionality before my eyes. For

Helpful Social Work celebrates 150,000 downloads across the UK and the world. “Perfect while cooking, or walking the dog, to keep my mind on what I need to be thinking about to make me a better social worker.” This is one of our favourite comments about Helpful Social Work. It captures so much of what

The unthinkable could happen to any of us. And if it does, we may not be able to manage it ourselves. We need people who will be on our side, stick with us and help us get our lives back. When I was 32 I cycled into a car. I only broke my pelvis; I

I haven’t posted on this site for some time. However, I have been busy elsewhere. Since June 2018, I have been Chair of the British Association of Social Workers. I write regular updates for BASW which you can find by searching ‘Chair’ here.  I also regularly write for Research in Practice for Adults. My most recent

Two years ago, Jo Fox and I started a podcast, Helpful Social Work. As we begin series 3, it is timely to reflect on our purpose. Helpful Social Work aims to help social workers to learn, think and act with integrity so that people who need social work get help that will transform their lives. We

Today, 20 March, is World Social Work day. This year emphasises ‘Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability’, which relates to the third pillar of the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development. The Agenda, created in 2012 after a global gathering of social workers, educators and development workers, sets out where we can and should make a difference to the

The government consultation on how the new social work regulator (Social Work England) will operate in England is open till 21 March. A few months ago, I discussed regulation in the Helpful Social Work podcast with Jo Fox. Here are some of my thoughts. The vision for Social Work England is for a regulator that “focuses on public protection and supporting practice excellence” (page