by Carol Stewart | Dec 22, 2024 | Blog, Latest News
What a year it’s been!
I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of 2024 already, where has this year gone!
It’s been the most amazing year, and I am so thankful to the hard work and support of the Chinara Enterprises team, and of course to all of our clients, suppliers and members.
This year I was honoured to receive an honorary Doctorate in the Arts from the University of Kent, for services to the community, as well as another award for services to the community.
It was such an honour to be recognised in this way, as I am very passionate about what I do for my local community.
We have had quite a busy year this year, with our programmes to support overseas Social workers, Occupational Therapists, and care workers.
We have been pleased to continue our partnership with Frontier consulting for the delivery of the overseas programmes for West Sussex, and Leeds councils.
We have also delivered training programmes for Merton Council and Nottinghamshire as well as a continued programme of training for agency social workers and allied health workers for Liquid Personnel and Acacium group.
We were thrilled to take part in the Compass Jobs Fair at Manchester and London this year, where we hosted CPD workshops for social workers on meeting the CPD requirements for Social Workers, running these workshops, I get to learn a lot about some of the challenges social workers face in finding time not just to undertake CPD, but to record and reflect on it, this learning is something that we will share with Social Work England.
As I reflect on the highs and lows of this year, I think about how easy it is, to let the negative far outweigh the positive, so a few months ago, I started sharing on my social media things that bought me joy each week. It’s not always about the big things, but some of the small things that for some may be insignificant, such as getting to see each day, or enjoying having a day off!
What are you thankful for? Find the time each week to think of things that bought you joy and see the difference it makes to your well-being.
So, as we close off for the Christmas break, I wanted to take this moment to say that I hope that whatever you are doing this holiday season that you enjoy it, and to everyone who is working over the holiday season, thank you.
We are back on the 6th of January, but if you have any urgent queries, please message us.
Thank you for all your support.
by Carol Stewart | Sep 21, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
Its Social Work England registration renewal time from 1st September 2023
Social Workers in England are required by law to undertake, reflect and record on a minimum of 2 pieces of CPD as part of registration renewal, one of which must include reflection with a peer. If you have not yet completed this, then we are hosting a webinar and peer reflection event on 26th September 2023 6pm-7.30 pm online
The event is free if you are subscribed to our learning and development portals, and when you are logged in you will see options to get a free ticket
Non members the fee is £6.00 ( inclusive of VAT)
If you take out membership after this event, you can get a refund on your first 12 months of membership to our learning and development portal.
To book your place visit the event page
The link will be sent out on before the event.
A reminder of the guidance given :
Remember the top tips from the CPD sessions we have delivered:
- Consider CPD more widely: CPD is not just about courses, or e learning
- Make an appointment with yourself: What day will you set aside over the next few days to upload your CPD and renew?
- A peer can include another social worker, your manager, or a professional who has a good understanding of social work.
Social Work England also has some useful guidance on meeting the CPD requirements
If you are a member on any of our learning and development pages, you can access free resources and e learning, as well as access tools to support you with your CPD.
Not a member yet? then join now, and access tools, free and discounted CPD to support you with your personal and professional development
by Carol Stewart | Jan 17, 2023 | Blog, Latest News
Chinara Enterprises is really proud to be taking part in Social Work England Social Work week again this year.
This year we will be hosting an event focussing on best practice in supporting social workers return to social work practice.
We will hear from:
- The Local Government Association, who led the national programmes
- Kings College London, Making Research Count and Chinara Enterprises Ltd team who developed and ran the learning and development programme for the national programmes
- Previous returners
This programme will be of benefit to :
- Social workers who have been out of practice 2 years or more, and need advice and guidance on how to return
- Employers who are exploring other innovative recruitment strategies, and want to learn more about how to get involved.
The seminar takes place on Monday 20th March from 10-12 online
Click here to book
We look forward to seeing you
by Carol Stewart | Apr 16, 2022 | Blog, Latest News
14 years ago today on April 16th I made a life changing decision. So you are probably wondering how can the lowest point in my life also be the highest point in my life?
Have you ever tried to climb one of those climbing walls, or tried to go up a hill only to keep going back down again, and you feel like giving up?
Well in 2008 the year my marriage ended, the year that the UK was in a recession, when I was struggling financially, and I had health challenges, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life, that was to set up my own company.
Many people at that time questioned my decision, and were not always very encouraging. There were some very difficult times ahead of me, I lost my home that I was living in for 10 years, and had to start again with two children to care for.
During my hardest of times I met and was supported by some very amazing people, who took a chance on me and my vision, and have remained form friends to this day, and have stood by me through thick and thin. On my darkest of days they were there, and on my brightest of days they were there for me.
You see just like that climbing wall that always got the better of me I could easily have given up, but I chose to continue because I have faith in what I want to achieve, faith in the vision, and wanted to be a role model for my children and to be able to provide for them, at the same time make a difference to those who I encountered on my journey.
The other day I facilitated a team building session, and I spoke about journeys. We spoke about how the team journey started, the continued journey and the final destination. Just like that team, my 14 years has been the most amazing journey. I have been blessed to have worked with some of the most amazing and inspirational people on my journey, some have stayed with me and some have moved onto other journeys, some were only meant to be with me for a particular part of my journey.
I started Chinara Enterprises to enable me to do the things that I am most passionate about, that I enjoy and to make a difference to the lives of others, be it through learning and development, consultancy, putting on live shows and concerts with the like of Junior Giscombe, Beverley Knight, or offering mentoring.
Chinara Team at Enfield
14 years and still still climbing that wall with the support and encouragement of so many people. Over the past 14 years Chinara Enterprises has worked with over 30 organisations, nearly 700 members, and over 1000 on our mailing list and growing each day !
Some of our biggest projects to date have been with the Local Government Association, where we are really proud to have developed and delivered the learning and development programme for the national Return to Social Work Programme for 3 years, as well as the Social Work Together Essentials programme.
RTSW graduation event
We have been at the forefront of discussions with regards to agency social workers learning and development, and are pleased to be engaging with Social Work England on supporting social workers in the independent sector.
We are immensely proud of our working relationship with Kings College London, Making Research Count, on the Return to Social Work Programme, Social Work Together Essentials as well as supporting agency social worker training.
Over the years the Chinara Enterprises team has expanded, and we now have a team of associates across the UK working with us on various contracts. People often ask me, how do you do it? ! If it was not for my amazing team, including Jame Blewett, Professor Jill Manthorpe, George Smalling, Shahilla Barok, Jan Carpenter, Jennifer Orgill, Jill Webb, Sarah Jones, Fiona Bryan, Toni Mitchell, Sue Skrobanski, Sue Conn, Andrea Goddard, Tosin Mason, my right hand person Stephanie Brown who has stuck with me for 14 years, my accountant, my insurance broker ,Lloyds Bank, my business mentor Michael Cheesman, my son and my dearly departed daughter, Beverley Knight , Orlando Gittens, Dj Bigger, DJ Munro, Everett Henry, Mi Soul Radio, Calvin Francis, Archie Dee, my Web team Delton Digital, Jade Consulting, Eli and Heather Thompson, Aadil Rasheed, Tony Matthews, Andy Franklin, Nigel Bee, Natty B, Kush Films, Sherry Ann Dixon , BeautyPac , Romero Bryan, Bryan Chambers, Angie Le Mar, Jahson, Don E, Hughie Crawford, ITV Meridian, BBC South East Today and BBC Radio Kent, to name a few ! Countless friends and family, all of this would not be achieved. Also had it not been for our many clients who took a chance on us, and appreciate what we do, we would not be where we are today.
So my message to you who are reading this is.. There may be times in your life when you are at your lowest point, do not give up, that point in your life can be the moment you decide to make a positive change, and make what was the lowest point in your life your highest one !
Stay blessed and thank you for reading
Going to finish up with one of my favourite inspirational songs from my dear friend and someone who I call family Beverley Knight
Thank you all !
by Carol Stewart | Mar 23, 2022 | Blog, Latest Events, Latest News, Personal & Professional Development, Policy Updates
What a busy month it has been ! We had an amazing event at the start of Social Work England Social Work week, talking about young people at risk of criminal exploitation, with over 50 people attending.
Tanayah spoke in depth about his own personal journey from a life of crime to now being one of the UK’s leading experts on working with young people who are exploited.
As you know this was a free event as part of Social Work week, we are hoping to run it again for a fee, and will update you.
Last year we had one of the UK’s leading lawyers in adult social care, mental capacity and mental health, provide an overview of the Liberty Protection Safeguards and some of the proposed changes at that time.
We are now pleased to be able to welcome Tim back to present an overview on the recently launched and long awaited Code of Practice and legislation.
The government launched its consultation on the draft on March 17th, and we are pleased to bring this exclusive event to you all.
You can read a summary written by Tim in Community Care
The seminar will take place on Tuesday 17th May 4.30 pm – 6pm online.
To book your place click here
Admission is £18 for members including VAT and £30 for non members
You can also book places at our extensive range of events through our events page
