Social Work England calls for contributors as Social Work Week returns for fourth year

Social Work Week 2024 will take place between Monday 18 to Friday 22 March 2024 to bring people together to learn, connect and influence change across the social work sector in England.

As one of the most significant annual events for the profession, Social Work England, the specialist regulator for social workers in England, has announced it will again be hosting a programme of free events during the week. They are now calling for those with an interest to get involved and contribute to the programme of events.

Now in its fourth year, the event hopes to inspire and spark nationwide conversations and those with an interest in social work. The programme will be co-produced with individuals and organisations with lived and learned experience of social work and beyond.

Colum Conway, Chief Executive at Social Work England said:

“Social Work Week is an important moment each year for us to bring together a wide range of people including social workers themselves, their employers, students, education providers and those with lived experience reflect on of the profession, discuss the importance of raising standards in social work, promote professional identity and build trust and confidence in social work.

Co-production is key to the success of Social Work Week. It’s important that the programme of events includes a wide and diverse range of people and organisations to really celebrate the breadth and diversity of social work. We encourage people to think creatively when submitting expressions of interest applications this year and are mindful of delivering a session that will meet the needs of a diverse audience.”

The Social Work Week programme will be focused around 3 key themes:

• learn: sharing the breath of good practice from a diverse sector
• connect: lived, learned, and professional experiences – creating opportunities for the sector to connect
• influence: understanding challenges and successes in the sector and exploring innovative solutions

The regulator has asked if anyone would like to deliver a session at this year’s event, they submit an expression of interest by Sunday 5 November 2023. They are asking those with an interest in social work to get involved as the event will provide an opportunity to show regional and local action on a national stage.

A panel, which will include people with lived and learned experience of social work, will then review and consider submissions for the 2024 programme.

Expressions of interest must fit one of the 3 key themes for the week, be held during Social Work Week (Monday 18 to Friday 22 March 2024), be free and accessible to a wide range of different audiences. Where possible, we encourage contributors to co-produce their sessions with those people with lived or learned experience of social work.

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 and 2023 on Social Work England’s YouTube channel.