The Social Work Tutor Podcast

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

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 morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

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 and fairness in employment opportunities. Join the conversation every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

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.

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.

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 social workers.

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. Join the conversation, every Friday morning.  

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 emotional strain, isolation, and resilience among social workers during this time. What are the key lessons, and how can we can better prepare for future crises? Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

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 steps to adopting the philosophy. Created for social workers, by social workers. Join the conversation every Friday.

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 overwhelming email inboxes, organising files, and maintaining digital archives. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation, every Friday morning.

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 Cara share their strategies for improving conditions and reducing burnout and vacancies. What do YOU think? Join the conversation, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

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 social workers from physical and emotional harm.  Join the discussion, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

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.

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, and ensure your regulators know your thoughts.   Every Friday morning, created by social workers, for social workers.

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.

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!  

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.

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 Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

This week our hosts are discussing Elon Musk's recent interest in CSA, along with the broader issues as a whole: Do we need another national enquiry into this issue? What do we think of the incoming mandatory reporting laws?   Join the conversation, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's show, our hosts discuss the phenomenon of the 'back to work' blues... Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the discussion, every Friday morning.

This week our hosts are reviewing social work throughout 2024, working through the top news stories, features, and columns - as voted by you - at Social Work News from January to December. Created by social workers, for social workers. Listen every Friday morning.

This week our hosts are discussing the tragic case of Sara Sharif - the social services interventions in the run-up to Sara's death, the media coverage of the trial - which saw her father and stepmother convicted of her murder - the need for a statutory inquiry, and what Sara's legacy may be for other children. Created by social workers, for social workers. Listen every Friday morning.,

This week, our hosts discuss their personal views on assisted dying, the arguments for and against, and the impact that the Bill may have on the profession.   Created for social workers, by social workers. Join the conversation, every Friday morning.

This week, our hosts draw on news articles published at Social Work News about Greg Wallace and Conor McGregor, and explore the role of men in social work and society, while asking themselves the question: What can we do to help provide men and boys with better role models? Join the conversation every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

In the same week the government announced a major overhaul of children's social care to tackle profiteering, our hosts discuss their thoughts on the proposed changes, their thoughts on profit in social care, and reflect on the expansion of Staying Close - and what it will mean. Join the conversation, every Friday morning. By social workers, for social workers.

This week on Social Work Radio  our hosts, Vince Peart and Cara Davis, chat all things Social Worker of the Year Awards. Don't miss it...= Created for social workers, by social workers. Join the conversation, every Friday.

This week, our hosts discuss the historic US election result, as well as delving into the state of UK politics right now. How much do politics really matter to social workers? Is there a duty on social workers to be political? What shifts have politics caused to social workers during our time in the profession, and what impact have political changes had upon clients in our time as practitioners?   Join the conversation, every Friday morning with Social Work Radio - created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, our hosts discuss dating as a social worker - does being a social worker throw up additional complications when dating? Would you date a fellow social worker? Would you 'swipe right' on someone connected to a client? And if you're already in a relationship, does being a social worker affect it? Join the conversation, every Friday morning with Social Work Radio - created by social workers, for social workers.

This week, our hosts discuss the benefits of AI in social work, as well as the problems they feel it could cause. What are the concerns about the ethical and practical applications of AI, and do we risk some people getting left behind?   Join the conversation, every Friday morning with Social Work Radio - created by social workers, for social workers.

Could you be a foster carer? What are the rewards and challenges? And what unique skills do social workers bring to fostering? This week on Social Work Radio, our host Vince chats with social worker Claire Nelson about how she combines her busy job with being a foster carer. Does being a social worker make her a better foster carer? What skills are interchangeable? And how does she find it working with social workers, when she's in her foster carer role? Join the conversation, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's episode, our hosts discuss their views on Social Work England as a regulator, the changes to CPD as announced this week, and what they think is next for the regulator. Join the conversation, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's episode, inspired by THIS article, our hosts explore how social workers can find their ideal role. What are the signs you've found the perfect social work job for you? How can you balance autonomy and support? And does burnout necessarily mean you're in the wrong job? Join the conversation, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's episode, our hosts ask, are social workers being asked to manage extreme emotional and professional demands without enough support? Are social workers able to identify our breaking points? What is the impact of emotional labour on social workers and our practice - and what needs to change? Join the conversation every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's episode, inspired by this recent article, our social work hosts discuss both the the benefits and potential downsides of hybrid working for social workers. How does hybrid working impact team dynamics, peer support, and communication? How does it impact social work practice and clients? Has it created a gap in the social services delivered, or if it has led to innovation in approaches to client care? Join the conversation every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

As Ofsted announced plans this week to eliminate single-word judgments from their evaluation framework for children's social care, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss their experiences with Ofsted inspections to date, their reactions to the news of this "landmark overhaul," and their hopes for the future of inspections. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

On this week's episode, inspired by this article, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss stereotypes in social work, examining portrayals in the media, TV, movies, and books. Is there anything harmful about these stereotypes? And do they each consider themselves to be 'typical' social workers?   Join the conversation every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

Where do we draw the line on being a social worker and being a person? On this week's episode, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss whether being a social worker restricts your freedoms - online and in the real world? How do we define ‘bringing the profession into disrepute?' Does being a social worker change the way you see the world? Are you more likely to intervene and involve yourself with members of the public? Should we be able to make a ‘citizens intervention'? Join the conversation, every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

On this week's episode, our hosts Vince and Cara delve into the difficult subject of the recent riots that have impacted communities across the country for the past week. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

* Please note: this episode was recorded earlier this week, before the judge ruled that the children involved in the case be returned to the care of extended family.   On this week's episode, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss how they felt watching the news of the riots in Leeds unfold this week, and their own experiences of working with people who've had their children removed. Where is the line between accepting the anger of grief and not allowing it to escalate? Can police presence inflame situations like this? How do the social workers managing this case now cope, and do events like this place additional scrutiny and threat on our entire profession? Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

On this week's podcast, inspired by this opinion column, Vince and Cara discuss  their experiences of working with people in prison - the good, and the bad. They explore different prison systems around the world, and ask: how do you balance deferral with rehabilitation and reform?   Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

On this week's podcast, inspired by this opinion column, Vince and Cara discuss Trump, Reform, and the National Rally - and ask the question: has there ever been a scarier time, politically, in their lifetime?   Do they see this issue going away? What will the Tories do now? And what is our duty as social workers here, in the face of all that is going on?   Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

What do we want to see from a Labour government?   On this week's podcast, Vince and Cara discuss the results of yesterday's general election, and what they'd like to see from Labour, after 14 years of Tory rule. Join them as they break down the Labour manifesto, and discuss exactly what this new government may mean for social workers.   Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

On this week's podcast - inspired by this article on mysocialworknews.com - our hosts Vince and Cara discuss healthy vs unhealthy coping strategies, the potential benefits and impacts of keeping stimulated, and whether there should be a duty of care from social work employers when it comes to dealing with the stress of the job.   Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

On this week's podcast, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss their take on PM Rishi Sunak's proposal to bring back national service. What are their issues with this? How do they think young people will react, and how would they have reacted when they were younger? And is there a better way to engage the young people of this country?   Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

On this week's podcast, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss whether they feel therapy is necessary for social workers, explore their own experiences with supervision - both as social workers and managers - and each share their top tips for giving and receiving quality supervision.   Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

On this week's podcast, our hosts - and fellow social workers - Vince and Cara discuss how their working lives have changed since Covid, the pros and cons of the profession moving to hybrid working, examine the idea of an 'ideal' working pattern, and finally ask the question - is it time we all went back to the office? Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Are you a social work workaholic? This week our hosts, and fellow social workers, Vince and Cara, take the test to find out if they are a social work workaholic - will you play along at home? Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Is there a stigma to being a children's social worker without children? This week our hosts, and fellow social workers, Vince and Cara, are exploring the impact that being a parent has on the work we do. And, inspired by THIS column published at mysocialworknews.com, Cara discusses what it's like for her to be a children's social worker who doesn't want to have children of her own. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Do you accept a drink from your clients when you visit them in their home? This week our hosts, and fellow social workers, Vince and Cara, explore the reasons you should always say yes, if you can. It may sound like a small issue, but - as we'll find out in the episode - this simple moment can set the scene for so much... Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

From Corey Feldman, and Judy Garland, to Lindsay Lohan, Macaulay Culkin, and Britney Spears, there is a long history of child stars succumbing to the pressure of the public eye. But what about child stars of the modern age - i.e. social media stars? Is there a duty on social workers to intervene with children who are in the public eye? Who determines what risk these children are at? And at what age are children truly able to consent to being shared with the world? Join our hosts Vince and Cara for this week's episode of Social Work Radio, inspired by THIS article, published this week at www.mysocialworknews.com Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

How do social workers feel about working with pets in people's homes? Have there been a lot of ‘hairy' experiences in the line of duty, and is it fair for social workers to ask clients to take their pets out of the room? This week, following on from THIS Social Work Supervision column published this week at www.mysocialworknews.com, our hosts Vince and Cara discuss pets, home visits, and the effect this can have on your connection with a client. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.