Be part of a nationwide conversation this Social Work Week

Now entering its third year, Social Work Week will return in 2023 from Monday 20 to Friday 24 March. One of the most significant annual events for the social work sector in England, the week aims to bring people together to learn, connect and influence change, building on the success of previous years.

The week is organised by Social Work England, the specialist regulator for social workers in England. It is co-produced with individuals and organisations with lived and learned experience of social work and the regulator is once again inviting expressions of interest from people who would like to deliver sessions.

The deadline for submitting proposals for consideration in the programme is 5pm on 28 October 2022. A panel, which will include people with lived and learned experience of social work, will then review and consider submissions as the event takes shape. Some sessions will be identified by the panel as headline slots that Social Work England will co-host and support.

Sarah Blackmore, executive director of professional practice and external engagement at Social Work England, said: 

“We want to explore the breadth of social work practice in England with all those who have an interest in social work, especially people with lived and learned experience. Collectively the week will inspire us to learn, connect and drive forward change to continually improve the profession for the benefit of the millions of people who need it in their lives. The week will provide a moment for us all to look back and reflect on the past 3 years, as well as offering space to look ahead to what’s next.

“We encourage you to think creatively and propose events with a diverse audience in mind, including people with lived experience of social work. This is your opportunity to be a part of a national conversation to educate and inform people on what social work is and the value it adds to society. For us, it is also another invaluable opportunity to listen to your views to shape our approach to regulation.”

For inspiration, potential contributors can look back at some of the events that took place at Social Work Week 2021 and Social Work Week 2022 on Social Work England’s YouTube channel.

Themes of the week

Events can be online or face-to-face and must fit with at least one of the themes for Social Work Week 2023:

• Learn: The breadth of social work: lived, learned and professional experiences
• Connect: Social work identity and sharing best practice
• Influence: Looking back at the past 3 years, and looking forward to what’s next for social work in England

How to submit an event

Submissions for inclusion on the programme, must be made using the online form by 5pm on 28 October 2022.

Alongside fitting at least one of the above themes, to be considered for inclusion on the Social Work Week 2023 programme, events or activities must: 

• be held during Social Work Week (Monday 20 to Friday 24 March 2023)
• be accessible for, inclusive to and relevant to a range of different audiences, which may include for example social workers, people with lived experience of social work and social work students
• be co-produced and co-facilitated with people with lived experience wherever possible
• be free to attend
• be online or in person

People interested in attending Social Work Week 2023 can also sign up to Social Work England’s newsletter to hear first about when the programme and tickets will be released.