May 20th 2024
Online
12.00pm till 1.30pm
What is the point of Children's Social Care
Join us for this thought-provoking webinar style conversation as we go to the heart of children's social care. In the hustle and bustle of community life, it's easy to lose sight of the fundamental question: What is the purpose of children's social work in the UK?
In this session, we've gathered some of the most influential leaders in social work to explore this important question. Our panellists will share their insights, experiences, and visions for the future of children's social care.
Dr Beverley Barnett‑Jones is Associate Director for System and Impact at the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. She is a registered social worker with a career spanning over 25 years in local authority and other statutory children’s and family services.
Donald Forrester is Professor of Child and Family Social Work and Director of CASCADE Centre for Children's Social Care Research and Development at Cardiff University.
Isabelle Trowler took up her post as the government’s first Chief Social Worker for Children and Families in September 2013.
Josh MacAlister is the Executive Chair of Foundations, the What Works Centre for Children and Families. He is also Co-founder and Chair of SHiFT. He chaired the Independent Review of Children's Social Care between March 2021 and May 2022.
July 15th 2024
Online
1.00pm till 2.30pm
Innovations in helping parents in the child protection system, what does a more democratic approach look like?
In this session, our remarkable ensemble of trailblazers will share their first hand experiences, insights, and approaches that resulted in nurturing real, enduring, and life-altering transformations in the lives of families and people in community.
From pioneering methodologies to fostering inclusive and empowering environments, this webinar will explore some of the key ingredients that fuel genuine, sustainable change. Discover the innovative strategies, tools, and frameworks that have not only inspired but also ignited a ripple effect of positive impact within communities.
Love Barrow families was founded in 2014 by two local public service workers, Katrina Robson and Alison Tooby and was co designed with local families and practitioners using co-production principles. Love Barrow Families is rooted in our community and has grown from the ground upwards. They believe that it is time to move away from public services that determine what families need and instead to see people themselves as active participants who can ask for what they need and bring assets and skills to share.
https://www.lovebarrowfamilies.co.uk/about-us/
New Beginnings is a concept which has been inspired by the research carried out by Dr Jadwiga Leigh, whose research showed that once parents were provided with the time and space to meet other parents in similar situations, and together reflect on the current issues they faced, they were able to see their situations differently and effect positive change for their family.
https://www.nbfoundation.co.uk/about-us
Professor John Gatstil - Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, Public Policy and Political Science, Pennsylvania State University
His seminal book ‘Democracy in Small Groups’ has influenced many many community organisers since its publication 30 years ago. Drawing from years of experience and study, John Gastil offers a variety of solutions to the problems commonly faced by small, democratic groups. He thoroughly explores the dynamics of practising democracy, including the relationship between speaking rights and listening responsibilities; the importance of full access to information and agenda setting; and ways to practice democracy in personal, family and neighbourhood life.
July 19th 2024
In Person
1.30pm to 4.30pm
An Afternoon with ❤️David Tobis and Relational Activism
Spend an afternoon, exploring community-led approaches to design and delivery in child protection work, engage with international expertise in this key area.
These sessions invite you to share your experiences, find inspiration, and discuss the role we can all play in community building. Join us to exchange ideas, gain new insights, and talk about the fundamentals of our roles in social work, engage with fellow changemakers in an afternoon of in-person deep learning and fun
David Tobis is a PhD sociologist and social justice activist in Oakland, CA working to transform child welfare systems globally. Tobis’s catalytic work led to the movement in New York City to give parents in the child welfare system influence in that system.
This event is in-person only and will be held at intimate arts space close to Kings Cross Station - details on venue soon
Event produced by relational activism and four bars
https://www.fourbars.org/
September 10th 2024
Online
9.00am till 10.30am
Sustaining Social Work
Social work is a profession teeming with potential, development, and profound impact. Yet, it also presents a myriad of complexities, from navigating ethical dilemmas and difficult decisions to confronting overwhelming pressures and resource constraints. How do we navigate these challenges, personally and relationally? And where do we situate ourselves in the context of the broader, wider systemic injustices of our current climate?
Andrew Tunell is an independent social worker, brief family therapist and child protection consultant from Perth, Western Australia
Dr Robbie Duschinsky is Head of the Applied Social Science Group within the Primary Care Unit, and Director of Studies in Sociology at Sidney Sussex College
October 11th 2024
In Person
1.30pm till 4.30pm
An Afternoon with❤️Paul Nixon and Relational Activism
Spend an afternoon, exploring community-led approaches to design and delivery in child protection work, engage with international expertise in this key area.
These sessions invite you to share your experiences, find inspiration, and discuss the role we can all play in community building. Join us to exchange ideas, gain new insights, and talk about the fundamentals of our roles in social work, engage with fellow changemakers in an afternoon of in-person deep learning and fun!
Paul Nixon is a father of three who has almost thirty years of experience as a social worker. Born in Wales, he was previously Head of Social Work for North Yorkshire County Council and the Chief Social Worker, Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children, New Zealand. He has published several books and articles on kinship care, empowering practice and family conferences and has delivered training, consultancy and evaluations around the world. He continues to consult in the UK, Canada, NZ and Australia.
This event is in-person only and will be held at intimate arts space close to Kings Cross Station - details on venue soon
Event produced by relational activism and four bars
https://www.fourbars.org/
November 18th 2024
Online
7.00pm till 8.00pm
Vulnerability and Solidarity
Join us to explore the social self in a relational context titled "Vulnerability and Solidarity." We are honoured to be ‘shouldering up’ with Vikki Reynolds, author of 'Justice-Doing,' as we connect with key concepts from her work. Vikki shares insights into resisting burnout through the lens of 'justice doing.'
In her wonderful book, Reynolds challenges the notion of burnout as merely an individual struggle, reframing it as a collective experience rooted in our inability to deliver justice and enact our shared ethics. She introduces the concept of 'spiritual pain,' which arises when systemic constraints prevent us from providing the support and assistance we aspire to offer.
Vikki Reynolds works from a Decolonizing and Justice-Doing framework. She works as a Consultant, Facilitator and Supervisor in Team Development, Resisting Burnout and Sustainability, ‘Trauma’ and Witnessing Resistance to Violence and Oppression, and a Supervision of Solidarity.