Let's Talk Social Work
Society & Culture
About
Welcome to Let’s Talk Social Work, the podcast from the British Association of Social Workers. This is a space for conversation—discussion with social workers, the individuals they support, and colleagues working in related professions. We consider the key matters affecting social workers as we explore contemporary issues with a focus at both the local and global levels. The views expressed in this podcast are not necessarily those of the Association. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Exploring the relationship between supervision and practice with children and families
Supervision and home visits are central to social work with children and families, yet the interaction between them is rarely considered. Given the importance that social workers place on them both, it seems strange that we tend only to ev…
- Centenary Episode: In Conversation with Baroness Lister CBE
One hundred not out for Let’s Talk Social Work! To mark our centenary, we’re delighted to welcome Baroness Ruth Lister CBE onto the podcast for a unique ‘in conversation’ episode on a host of topic areas, from social justice to human right…
- “I am the Safeguard, and I am Alone” - Carers, Nearest Relatives, and the Reality of the Mental Health Act
Have you ever considered what the role of a Nearest Relative is like? Under the Mental Health Act for England and Wales, any one of us could be thrust into the role, carrying the weight of its legal responsibilities, pressures of supportin…
- Scotland and Wales Decide
Significant elections are taking place in Scotland and Wales this year. With the current political mood so unpredictable, the make-up of Holyrood in Edinburgh and the Senedd in Cardiff could be very different after May. And given that soci…
- What does the future hold for social work and BASW?
Let’s Talk Social Work is kickstarting 2026 with a broad episode exploring the state of the profession in the UK. Host Jonny Adamson is joined by BASW Interim Chief Executive, Professor Sam Baron, BASW England Acting Chair, Shantel Thomas,…
- The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Babies and Infants
One third of domestic abuse begins during pregnancy, rising to 40% within a baby’s first 1001 days of life. It contributes to around one in four babies entering care, making it the highest-ranking factor for children’s safeguarding. Despit…
- Can we go higher? Opportunities for further education in social work
Higher degrees, such as a Master’s or a Doctoral, can prove extremely valuable for social workers and their practice. But is it a realistic and accessible option for social workers to undertake further education while still working? When y…
- Beware of the Dog - how should social workers manage encounters with dogs?
Social workers frequently come into contact with dogs in their practice. Yet until now, it hasn't featured in social work research, education, training and guidance. A recent study published in the British Journal of Social Work entitled ‘…
- The Handover
After 93 episodes, Andy McClenaghan is moving on from hosting Let’s Talk Social Work . Following a short break, the podcast will return in the autumn and will be hosted by BASW’s Jonny Adamson. In this episode, Andy is joined b…
- Solidarity Forever: exploring the role of social work in promoting international solidarity and human rights
This special episode has been made to celebrate World Social Work Day 2025, the theme of which is ‘Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for Enduring Wellbeing’. Andy McClenaghan is joined by Professor Cecilia Bailliet, United N…
- Discussing the state of dementia training for social workers and social care workers
In episode 91 Andy McClenaghan is joined by Abigail Gagen, Emily Hindle and Angie Button to discuss how dementia affects people’s lives and explore how social workers and social care workers can meet the needs of people with dementia and t…
- Exploring what the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill could mean for social work
In the first episode of Let’s Talk Social Work of 2025 Andy McClenaghan is joined by Chair of the British Association of Social Workers, Julia Ross, Chair of BASW’s Policy Ethics and Human Rights Committee, Annie Ho and Co-Chair of the Ass…
- Brain Injury, Social Work and Human Rights
In this episode, made to mark Human Rights Day 2024, Andy and his guests explore the issue of brain injury and how social workers can best support people with a brain injury to ensure their rights are upheld. Social workers who…
- Cultural Capability in Social Work
The UK is a richly diverse society and social workers will frequently work with children, families and individuals whose cultural heritage differs from their own. As we have discussed many times on the podcast, social work is a relationshi…
- Exploring Artificial Intelligence in Social Work—Ethics, Opportunities and Risk
In this episode, Andy and his guests discuss Artificial Intelligence in social work. They explore the concept from three angles—how might AI play a role in social care in terms of direct support for people who use services, how might it as…
- Exploring the experiences of Indigenous Peoples—resilience, social justice and lessons for social work
In our first episode back after the summer break we discuss the experiences of Indigenous People, exploring issues of resilience and social justice and examining lessons for social work. Helping Andy to explore this incredibly important is…
- What does the Labour landslide mean for adult social care in England?
In the last episode of the podcast before we take a break for the summer, Andy and guests have an opportunity to reflect on the outcome of the UK general election and explore what the changed political landscape will mean for adult social…
- Operation Encompass
In this episode, number 84 in our series, Andy McClenaghan and guests discuss Operation Encompass—a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools to offer immediate support to children experiencing domest…
- Reflective Supervision
In this episode we explore reflective supervision—what it is, how it can benefit social workers by improving their wellbeing and job satisfaction, and ultimately, how it can improve practice. The Social Workers Union, in partnership with B…
- Wake Up Call—a conversation exploring first-hand accounts of living in the care system, as detailed in the anthology, ‘Free Loaves on Fridays’
Andy is joined by Bekah Pierre and Alice Spencer to discuss the wonderful anthology— Free Loaves on Fridays . Free Loaves on Fridays is a collection of stories and essays, poems, reflections and open letters, detailing the live…
- School Social Work
School social work is long established in the USA but in its infancy in Northern Ireland. This episode examines the nature of school social work with a view to learning from the discipline in the United States and exploring how this unders…
- Poverty is a political choice
Following our last episode exploring the BASW UK General Election Manifesto, we examine the issue of poverty and what needs to change to improve the circumstances of millions of people across the UK. Comprising two sections, first An…
- A Change Would Do You Good—Exploring BASW’s 2024 General Election Manifesto
A general election is coming. When it will be, no one is quite sure, but what we do know is what needs to change to improve situations for social workers and the people who use social work services. This is the focus of this episode of Let…
- My Way: exploring independent social work
With independence comes opportunities as well as risks. Andy McClenaghan is joined by Independent social workers Michelle Strain, Jo Fox and Gareth McGibbon to explore the benefits as well as the costs of stepping out and practicing as an…
- ‘Don’t park the bus’ — exploring the benefits of coaching in social work
A first for Let’s Talk Social Work , Andy McClenaghan and guests discuss the benefits of coaching in social work. The conversation explores what coaching is and how engaging in coaching can be an opportunity to receive support and gu…
- ‘Rise up with me against the organisation of misery’
“If health has stopped improving it is a sign that society has stopped improving.” These are the words of Professor Sir Michael Marmot in the report Health Equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years on . In this special episode of…
- Dignity, respect, empowerment: adult safeguarding explored with Dr Jeremy Dixon
Dignity, respect, empowerment: adult safeguarding explored with Dr Jeremy Dixon Episode 75 of Let’s Talk Social Work explores adult safeguarding—the policies, procedures, and practices aimed at protecting adults who may be…
- Friends in high places
This episode explores social work and government policy in Wales. That’s not unusual for Let’s Talk Social Work , but what is a little different is that we will be considering these issues with the focus placed on an individual and the rol…
- Responding to sibling sexual behaviour and abuse
This episode of the podcast features discussion of issues that may cause distress, including sexual harm and abuse by siblings, and listener discretion is advised. In this episode, Andy is joined by social worker Anna Glinski,…
- Meet me where I’m at
The first episode of Let’s Talk Social Work of 2024 explores a fantastic, coproduced training project run by the Western Health and Social Care Trust which equips social workers to better support families affected by addiction. The discuss…
- Promote the Vote
In this episode, made to mark Human Rights Day, we’re examining a really fascinating subject—the Promote the Vote project. The project helps social workers support people with learning disabilities to make use of their right to…
- Social Work with Older People
This episode explores the findings of the Social Work with Older People research project led by the University of Birmingham and the University of Bristol. The project has sought to examine the role social workers play in supporting o…
- A portrait of the social worker
This episode is a break from the norm. It doesn’t explore an area of practice, a social policy issue or a campaign. Rather, it is a discussion of a life in social work. The life in question is that of Patrick O’Dea who earlier this year pu…
- Nothing about us without us
What does it look like when experts by experience are fully involved in shaping and informing social work education? What does the role entail? How can universities avoid tokenism and ensure meaningful engagement? What ar…
- When the going gets tough
Social work is a demanding role and even under the best of circumstances, as social workers support individuals to improve life opportunities, they will face difficulties and stresses associated with their work. Andy McClenaghan is joined…
- Self-Neglect: Exploring the Social Work Response
Episode 66 of Let’s Talk Social Work examines a subject which previously hasn’t been explored on the podcast. The discussion focuses on self-neglect—what it is, the ways in which it affects people and how social workers can respond. We loo…
- Age assessment of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
This episode of Let’s Talk Social Work explores the incredibly important topic of the age assessment of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Immigration policy is in the news almost daily at present and ensuring that the needs of childre…
- With a Little Help from My Friends
In this episode Andy McClenaghan and guests explore the therapeutic role artistic and musical creativity can play in improving mental health. Andy is joined by experts by experience Ash and Molly and Belfast Health and Social Care Tru…
- Half A World Away
Recorded just before the summer break, Andy McClenaghan and guests, Priya David and Duc Tran, discuss some of the many issues faced by overseas social workers who have come to the UK to practice. Priya and Duc are Co-Chairs of the BA…
- A Ray of Light?
For the past year and a half, the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services has examined the challenges facing the delivery of children’s services across Northern Ireland. On 21 June, Lead Reviewer, Professor Ray Jones publishe…
- Let's Talk Social Work Live!
This very special episode was recorded live in front of an audience on Monday 12 June, ahead of the BASW UK conference at Conference Aston in Birmingham. The theme of the discussion is exploring the role of podcasts as a learning res…
- The safety net is broken: how the cost-of-living crisis is laying bare the failings of our social security system
In this episode we return to the issue of poverty in the UK. The country remains gripped by the cost-of-living crisis, and while we are all being affected, for some, rising prices represent an inconvenience. But, for those who…
- Social work and the media
Does media coverage reflect the public’s opinions of social work, or does it shape them? Has the tone of coverage changed over the years, and do pressures on journalists working in media outlets limit the extent to which coverage can addre…
- It's a family affair
In February, Let’s Talk Social Work examined the Government’s strategy for children’s social care in England, Stable Homes Built on Love, and we’re returning to an important issue discussed in that episode—kinship care. Andy Mc…
- Stop, collaborate and listen
In this very special episode, Andy McClenaghan interviews Nana Akwasi Yabbey-Hagan and Robert Dyer, the hosts of The Social Worker and the Mentor podcast. They discuss the importance of promoting Black excellence in social work…
- M.E.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, commonly shorted to M.E. and also referred to as chronic fatigue is an illness many people will be aware of. However, the illness is often misunderstood, which can lead to very damaging consequences for people wi…
- Social Work in Deeply Divided Societies
This episode, made to mark World Social Work Day 2023, explores the role of social work in deeply divided societies. Social work is practiced under situations of armed conflict and in deeply divided post conflict societies in many re…
- Promoting anti-racism in social work & society
In this episode of the podcast we’ve the fantastic opportunity to be back focusing on social work in Wales—more specifically, anti-racist social work practice in Wales. Andy is joined by Abyd Quinn Aziz, Social Work Programme Di…
- Stable homes, built on air?
On 2 February the Government launched its strategy for children's social care reform in England— Stable Homes, Built on Love . In this episode we we look at what the Strategy means for children and young people in care, those…
- Beauty, confidence & understanding
In this episode of Let’s Talk Social Work we explore the important, and unfortunately all too often overlooked issue of the needs of Black children in care. The episode begins by exploring a ground-breaking initiative run by Camden Council…