Social Work Week 2025 programme

Presenters:

• Sarah Blackmore - Executive Director, Professional Practice and External Engagement, Social Work England
• Isabelle Trowler - Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, Department for Education
• Sarah McClinton - Chief Social Worker for Adults and Mental Health Social Work, Department of Health and Social Care
• Sally Parker - National Advisory Forum member

Presenters discussed the future of social work, examining the impact of hybrid working on this relationship-based profession, particularly regarding support networks and mentoring for newer staff. Key challenges include negative media portrayals and concerns about diversity, inclusion and discrimination in the profession.

Recent developments include growth in the children's social care workforce from 28,000 in 2017 to 34,000 today, with £500 million ringfenced for family prevention work. For adult social work, developments include a review starting in April and recognition in the Terminally Ill Adults Bill.

While artificial intelligence (AI) offers opportunities to improve accessibility and participation, speakers emphasised the irreplaceable value of human connection in social work. As one speaker noted, social work must "remain human and relationship-based... no amount of technology can replace how you make us feel."

Presenter:

• Dr. Peter Buzzi - Director, Centre for Safeguarding and Digital Practice and Wellbeing

A popular session on AI applications in social work, focusing on benefits, challenges and ethical considerations. AI offers numerous benefits for social work, including support for administrative tasks, transcription of client calls and note-taking. It can help overcome language barriers, provide reminders for medication and assist with risk assessment for home visits. However, implementation faces significant challenges. The most critical ethical concern involves AI decisions that directly impact people's lives and well-being. AI systems can also perpetuate biases, particularly affecting marginalised communities.

AI should strengthen, not weaken, the voices of social workers and those they support, while maintaining professional judgement and wisdom. The fundamental challenge is maintaining human connection in service provision. Social work practice is about making people visible and heard - "seeing and being seen" is essential to human relationships and identity. Any AI implementation must preserve this core element of social work practice.

Social workers are "engineers of hope"—bringing hope through applied science more complex than rocket science. When using AI, focus on empowering people and increasing visibility, with cost savings as a byproduct rather than the primary goal.

Presenter:

• Dr Laura L. Cook - Associate Professor in Social Work, Centre for Research on Children and Families, University of East Anglia

Research reveals that professional identity is crucial for retention, with social work becoming intrinsically linked to practitioners' core values and sense of self.

"Critical career episodes" (CCEs) are challenging moments that threaten professional identity and represent stay-or-go decision points. Successfully navigating these strengthens professional commitment while unresolved CCEs lead to disengagement.

Career stage significantly impacts retention needs. Early-career practitioners need mobility options, independent careers advice, and guidance from experienced colleagues. Mid-career practitioners require specialism opportunities and professional development to prevent feeling "stuck." Late-career practitioners benefit from mentoring opportunities to share expertise and leave their mark on the profession.

The theory of change recommends implementing CCE management support while providing career-stage appropriate development through specialism, mobility, and generativity. This requires psychological safety, reflective spaces outside management structures, and team manager support. Retention strategies should recognise that social workers' needs don't decrease over time but change, requiring different organisational responses across the career span.

Presenters:

• Geraldine Nosowska - Social worker, British Association of Social Workers Special Interest Group on Social Work and Ageing
• Mandy-Jayne Lace - Social work student and Expert by experience
• Graham Price - Expert by experience

Key findings reveal approximately 124,000 older people enter care homes yearly in England, with most lacking social worker support despite needing professional advice. A campaign by the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) is advocating for named social workers to support older people considering care home transitions. Research shows significant gaps in professional support during these life changes.

The campaign argues all older people considering leaving their homes should have access to a named social worker who can provide:

• support during stressful transitions
• empowerment through person-centred decision-making
• knowledge of legal matters, mental capacity assessment and funding options
• practical assistance coordinating moves

The group emphasised that having a named professional creates continuity and trustworthy support during vulnerable periods. As one expert by experience expressed "I want to be alive when I die" - highlighting that appropriate support enables better quality of life.

Presenters:

• Dr Andrew McCulloch – Chair, Social Work England
• Stephen Barnett - Assistant Director (Regulation Investigations), Social Work England
• Gavin Moorghen - Regional Engagement Lead (Midlands and North West), Social Work England
• Joanne Thompson – Principal Social Worker (Adults), Gateshead
• Kaylie Chapman - Principal Social Worker (Adults), Wiltshire County Council
• Kathryn Speight – Interim Principal Social Worker (Children), Sheffield City Council

Presenters discussed improving social work practice and addressing fitness to practise concerns. A simple but shared goal - better services for the public, better support for social workers, and ultimately fewer fitness to practise cases. As one speaker said, "That's what this is all about. We need to work together in this difficult environment to get the best outcomes for social workers and for the people they work with."

Social Work England’s single point of contact (SPOC) network improves communication between employers and Social Work England, helping employers understand regulatory requirements and sharing preventative approaches.

Data shows common fitness to practise concerns include:

• communication issues
• dishonesty
• professional practice problems
• safeguarding issues
• boundary breaches

These insights enable the SPOC network to target preventative work more effectively focusing on:

• enhanced supervision
• creating supportive cultures
• improving communication training
• developing guidance for emerging issues
• early intervention to address practice concerns before they escalate

Presenters:

• Jenny Molloy - Author, expert contributor, motivational speaker and care leaver (lived experience of social work)
• Jessica Chapman - Head of content, Community Care Inform

Jenny Molloy shared reflections on childhood trauma and the role of social workers in supporting vulnerable children, drawn from her own lived experience. She explained that her childhood was spent in a home with 2 addicts, domestic violence, and serious mental health issues—the "Toxic Trio." Despite regular contact with various professionals, none truly understood her reality behind closed doors.

The impact of those first 9 years continues today. Jenny’s trauma didn’t disappear at 18; flashbacks, nightmares, and trauma responses continue into adulthood. Despite everything, 2 remarkable social workers made a profound difference in Jenny’s life. They never gave up on her, maintaining consistent relationships that positively impacted her adult success. Jenny said “What made them special? They never gave up on me. When my social worker went on leave, I always feared she wouldn't come back. She always came back.”

For social workers working with traumatised children Jenny asked people to:

1. Give children space and time to process their experiences
2. Don't wait for a child to be "stable" before offering trauma support - the trauma is keeping them unstable
3. Use car journeys and informal moments for meaningful conversations
4. Work through a trauma lens to see the real child and their experiences
5. Show the children that you care about them - that professional love is the glue they need
6. Most importantly, never give up on them and keep fighting their corner

Presenters:

• Chaired by Jak Savage MBE, Social Care Consultant, Lived Experience, Speaker and Chair of Making It Real Board at Stockton-On-Tees Borough Council
• Gavin Butler - Principal Social Worker at Cheshire West and Chester Council, former National Co-chair of Principal Adult Social Worker Network
• Kate Concannon - Principal Social Worker Southampton City Council, former National Co-chair of Principal Adult Social Worker Network
• Louise Spragg - Principal Social Worker at Telford and Wrekin Council, National Co-chair of Principal Children and Families Social Worker Network
• Seanna Lassetter · Principal Social Worker Adult Social Care Walsall Council, Co – chair of the Adults Principal Social Worker Network
• Shungu Chigocha - Principal Social Worker at Achieving for Children at Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, National Co-chair of Principal Children and Families Social Worker Network
• Tapiwa Julius - Principal Social Worker at Cambridgeshire County Council, National Co-chair of Principal Children and Families Social Worker Network
• Vanna Changlee - Principal Social Worker /Quality Assurance Children and Adults Social Care /Families, London Borough of Waltham Forest

Multiple speakers from the joint Principal Social Worker Network showcased successful co-production examples in social care services, emphasising meaningful involvement rather than token consultation. Examples included care leavers shaping service pledges and young people participating in "big conversations" instead of surveys. Waltham Forest's "in my shoes" programme helps practitioners understand service users' perspectives, and service users participate in staff interviews at all levels.

"Thinking family" in practice and collaborating across boundaries is essential for effective service delivery. Practitioners recognise the strong correlation between parents' lived experiences and children's wellbeing. Even when physically separated, children remain emotionally connected to parents. Supporting parents benefits children's development and sense of identity, highlighting the interconnected nature of effective social work practice.

Family Group Conferences, originally from children's services, are being adapted for adult services, recognising that "family" extends beyond biological connections to wider networks of support.

Presenter:

• Anna Glinski - Deputy Director, Knowledge & Practice Development, Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse affects approximately one in ten children by age 16. Despite this, there's a systemic failure across services to recognise and respond to child sexual abuse within family environments.

The National Panel report reveals a concerning trend: while child protection registrations for neglect and emotional abuse have increased, sexual abuse cases have declined by nearly two-thirds over 30 years, reaching their lowest level since records began. This reflects professionals' lack of knowledge and skills to confidently respond to abuse cases.

Major barriers to addressing child sexual abuse include:

• professional silence and discomfort discussing abuse
• over-reliance on verbal disclosure from children
• dependence on criminal justice outcomes
• insufficient specialised education for social workers

The presenter stated that without proper education about child sexual abuse, professionals cannot effectively support victims and survivors. The report calls for social work education to prioritise teaching about child sexual abuse, equipping professionals with the knowledge and skills to break the silence that allows abuse to continue and better support those who have experienced it. Social workers were encouraged to trust their expertise and focus not on "what if I'm wrong?" but "what if I'm right?"

The presenter emphasised that with proper support, survivors can heal, young people with harmful behaviours can change, and adult offenders have low reconviction rates. Breaking the silence through communication and education is essential for child protection.

Presenters:

• Janine McLoughlin - Social worker, Cheshire and Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership and Greater Manchester Social Work Academy - North West Collaborative
• Nicola Whiteside - Partnership Manager, Cheshire and Merseyside Social Work Teaching Partnership and Greater Manchester Social Work Academy - North West Collaborative

A regional practice educator refresher program has been developed across 27 local authorities and trusts in Northwest England. The initiative created a standardised one-day online refresher training with follow-up university sessions, keeping educators updated on policies and reinvigorating their enthusiasm for supporting students. The training featured expert facilitators delivering specialised topics.

Key challenges addressed in the refresher training include:

• supporting struggling students (when to intervene, involve tutors, or fail a student)
• maintaining emotional resilience for practice educators
• establishing reasonable expectations for student placements

The project's impact includes:

• establishing regional consistency in refresher training delivery
• enhancing training quality by utilising expertise across the Northwest
• reducing costs for employers
• increasing accessibility by offering training four times yearly
• creating a sustainable model that will continue beyond initial funding

Feedback data shows 90% of participants feel "remotivated and refreshed" in their roles, with many rediscovering their passion for practice education and appreciating networking opportunities with colleagues across the region.

Presenters:

• Natalie Day - Assistant Director, Policy and Strategy, Social Work England
• Anne-Marie Glover - Professor of Social Work, University of Birmingham and National Advisory Forum member
• Kevin Stone - Associate Dean, University of South Wales, Chair of Education and Training Advisory Forum, Social Work England
• Joe Hill - recent graduate and registered social worker, and National Advisory Forum member

This discussion focused on the landscape of social work education and training in England. Social Work England holds a unique position overseeing all social work courses across England through monitoring, inspection cycles, and approvals. Having reviewed nearly 260 courses in the first four-year cycle, it was emphasised that collaboration with education providers is fundamental.

The Education and Training Advisory Forum (ETAF), comprising 28 members from across the sector, supports Social Work England by developing standards to ensure consistent education regardless of pathway.

Key initiatives include:

• reviewing education standards with new knowledge, skills and behaviour (KSB) statements
• improving inspection models
• developing a landscape trend publication
• approving specialist approved mental health professional (AMHP) and best interests assessor (BIA) courses
• researching artificial intelligence’s (AI's) impact on social work education

A wider consultation on education standards begins autumn 2025, aiming to balance current requirements with future needs.

AI presents both opportunities and challenges, with universities beginning to educate students on its ethical use. The sector acknowledges AI is unavoidable and growing, requiring collaborative approaches to navigate its complexities. Overall, social work education must continue evolving while maintaining focus on preparing compassionate, skilled professionals.

Presenters:

• Aidan Worsley - Research Manager, Social Work England
• Rebecca Mulvaney - Senior Policy Manager, Social Work England

Social Work England’s current research projects include 4 active commissions, with 2 examining artificial intelligence's emerging role in social work practice and education, conducted in partnership with Research in Practice and the Open University. Additional projects include mapping practice educator training with the University of East Anglia, and exploring "seriousness" in fitness to practice cases.

During the session, attendees heard about 5 different pieces of independent research happening within social work sector.

Social Work Approaches to Death and Dying: Addressing 21st Century Challenges

Presenters:

• Professor Denise Turner, Hertfordshire University
• Marva Pickersgill-McKenzie, Kingston University
• Dr Sally Paul, Strathclyde University

This presentation introduced the Social Work Approaches to Death and Dying (SWAG) Group, which aims to improve how social work education addresses death, dying and bereavement. Their research shows social work education on death remains dominated by Kubler-Ross's stages of grief despite emerging issues requiring broader approaches.

New challenges include:

• assisted dying legislation potentially requiring social workers on multidisciplinary panels
• cultural diversity necessitating awareness of different mourning practices beyond Western perspectives
• digital technology transforming how death is experienced and commemorated

Initial survey findings confirmed a lack of coherent inclusion of death and bereavement in social work education, with content typically depending on individual lecturer interests rather than systematic coverage.

The group aims to build a network of academics interested in death and bereavement, improve curriculum coverage, and eventually organise conferences.

Co-produced training to equip social workers to co-design care with older autistic people – a focus on building trust and rapport

Presenters:

• Dr Laura Lennuyeus-Comnene - Goldsmiths, University of London
• Malcolm Osborne - Community researcher
• Sarah Markham - Community researcher
  

The COAST project (Co-designing Autism Social Work Training) aims to co-produce training to equip social workers to co-design care with older autistic people. The project involved academics, autistic people, social workers and care providers working collaboratively.

Co-production was integral at every stage - from proposal development to identifying training gaps and establishing priorities. There was a triangulation of views from different groups - academic researchers, an Advisory Board (older autistic people, social worker and a social care provider) and a Community Research panel (older autistic people, social workers and social care providers). People valued having their voices heard in policy creation, noting how diverse perspectives created synergy and deeper insights. Researchers reported feeling empowered, accepted and able to contribute meaningful improvements to services.

One of the speakers said “There's that great sense of diversity, but also togetherness and synergy. We're always kind of listening and learning and bouncing off each other. So it's a very creative, co-productive process.”

The training developed focuses on 2 elements: knowledge about supporting older autistic people and building trust between services and autistic individuals. Materials include podcasts, information sheets and templates designed to integrate easily into working practices. The project is now entering its evaluation phase, piloting the training package and assessing its impact on practice.

Moving Social Work

Presenter:

• Professor Brett Smith - Professor of Disability and Physical Activity, Durham University

Moving Social Work is a partnership between Durham University and Disability Rights UK that explores the role of social workers in promoting physical activity. The project recognises that social workers are valuable physical activity messengers, because they are trusted professionals who understand the social model of disability and people’s local communities.

Research revealed that while social workers see physical activity as an opportunity to support wellbeing and social justice, they lacked confidence and skills for these conversations. In response, the project developed training for social work education and CPD, reaching nearly 2,000 social workers with positive outcomes.

The training helps social workers address varied challenges including substance misuse, bereavement, mental health, and loneliness through movement-focused interventions.

A new component of the project examines social workers' own physical activity at work. Focus groups with over 100 social workers identified key themes:

• movement at work is an urgent priority but difficult to implement
• increased activity would benefit personal health, working environments, and practice
• moving more at work is desirable and possible
• multiple barriers restrict movement, including time constraints, workplace culture, and lack of permission from leadership

Co-production, the Blackpool Way – Born into Care

Presenters:

• Michaela Goodridge – Blackpool Council
• Karen Andrews – Blackpool Council

This session presented Blackpool Council's co-production approach involving people with lived experience in creating solutions. Their approach shares responsibility, learning, experiences and decision-making power between community members, parents, young people and staff.

They balance co-production with wider community consultation, employing "experts by experience" and maintaining parent advisory groups to inform their work. They evaluate systems by examining what's working well, what needs changing, and potential challenges, recognising that "We can't control systems but we can learn to dance with them."

They co-produced their practice model "Blackpool Families Rock", creating values based on social pedagogy's head-heart-hands framework, where they "lead with heart". These values include building trust, kindness, sharing power, being non-judgemental, and celebrating positive changes.

Another initiative, "Born into Care," addressed Blackpool's high rate of newborns entering care proceedings. Data showed 30% of all children who came into care were under 12 months of age, while 39% of mothers and 28% of fathers had learning needs. Parents said that the children's social care “system was complex. That it was so difficult to understand that they were unable to navigate it”. This created fear around the system and the services that were supposed to be providing support for them. “To think about how we can address the issue and what we're going to do next, we go where the energy is, go where the people really want co-production and go from there.” The team co-produced resources mapping the children's social care system to help families navigate it. These materials were praised by both families and practitioners.

Evaluating the potential of innovative technology to address adult social care and health priorities

Presenters:

• Kate Wigley – Transformation Project Manager at Reading Borough Council and
• Dr Rodrigo Perez Vega - Associate Professor, Henley Business School

Talked about how Reading Borough Council has been evaluating pattern-of-life sensor technology to address adult social care challenges. The project targeted Reading's growing older population (currently 16.8%, rising to 23% by 2043), where 60% of adult service users are over 60.

The council partnered with technology providers to trial innovative care technology solutions. The pattern-of-life systems use AI with motion and temperature sensors placed throughout homes. These track movement, sleeping patterns, kitchen activity, and bathroom use. After a 7-14 day learning period, they establish a baseline of normal behaviour.

An example demonstrated that sensors can show when a main door was triggered. It provided reassurance that a person is sleeping through the night, they're not using their front door and there aren't people coming in and out of the property at night time. It went on to show how different people's patterns of life can give you information that can support care planning.

Practitioners access data via dashboards, while nominated family members can use mobile apps. The technology aims to support:

• pre-emptive monitoring and risk management
• information for multidisciplinary teams and funding panels
• reassurance for distant family members
• care package reviews

University of Reading’s evaluation assessed impact on service users, family members and practitioners through both quantitative and qualitative methods. Initial findings indicate users experience increased security, while practitioners report more accurate information for developing appropriate care packages. The project concludes at the end of March with a summary of the benefits and the financial evaluation being presented in August.