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
by Carol Stewart | Apr 10, 2021 | Blog, Latest News, Social Work Development
Spring is here and we are slowly coming out of lockdown !
A lot of people use this time of year to do a bit of a spring clean, I often wander where the term “spring clean” originates from.
On Wikipedia, they state that some researchers trace the origins of spring cleaning to the Persian new year, which falls on the first day of spring. This practice still continues today, with the house being thoroughly cleaned just before the new year.
The spring for some also is a time of new beginnings. maybe a new job, new home, refurbished home.
Over the past year I have spoken with many social workers who feel stuck in terms of their career, and not sure what direction they want to travel. Some end up doing a job because that they don’t really enjoy, and then find themselves stuck and not sure how to get the job they really want and enjoy.
I have used what I call a personal life map, and mapped out all the things that I have done both as a career and voluntary work, and reflected on where my journey has taken me. I have always found a common thread, of something that is always a feature in my life, this may be in my paid work or voluntary work.
I used that life map to help inform what I am doing now for my career, which is about developing people.
Spring is a good time for you to think about your own personal and professional goals.
Our personal development plan template in our useful resources, may assist you in personal goal setting, and making sure you keep on track. If you are a member you can access these resources for free.
We also have some great CPD events taking place this month, which will assist you further.
Are you feeling stuck?
Why not book a session with one of our coaching team, to help you explore your goals.
Are you maintaining the CPD requirements for Social Work England?
To help you continue to meet the requirements of Social Work England, we have some great events taking place, in addition to useful tools and resources.
We have a briefing on the Liberty Protection Safeguards, with one of the UK leading lawyers on the new legislation. Tim Spencer Lane has been involved in the implementation of the new legislation and the guidance.
This is an amazing opportunity to engage with one of the UK’s leading experts.
As a member you get a discount on all of our events.
To access the discounted rate, you will need to be logged in and enter your email.
If you are not a member and would like to join, then sign up on the membership page.
I am hosting another CPD masterclass on how to meet the CPD requirements for Social Work England, taking place on Tuesday 4th May. This event is free to members, just log in using your email and enter your access code. Non members can access this event for £10 + VAT
Click on the latest events section of the website to see details of all the up coming events and to book your place.
by Carol Stewart | Mar 16, 2021 | Community, Latest News
Happy World Social Work Day 2021 !
Tell us what you are doing to celebrate it, tweet us @chinara1 with the #worldsocialworkday with your message or image.
The theme this year is Ubuntu ” I am Because We are – Strengthening Social Solidarity and Global Connectedness ”
This theme resonates with me for so many reasons at this time, given the challenges we are facing with regards to the pandemic, our physical and mental well being, and the injustices we are seeing all over the world.
Over this past year, I have had many conversations since the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and in the past week the interview with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex with Oprah Winfrey about racism and institutional racism.
These conversations have sadly shown me that we still have a long way to go, I am seeing a worrying rise in the increase of right wing views expressed in full view of the world, in all forms of media, giving rise to an increase in online and offline hate crime and bullying.
I am seeing more people and organisations reflecting on their own values, and practice within their own organisation. I have also seen an increase in diversity in all forms of media, as a result of a sudden realisation of the importance of reflecting a more accurate portrayal of society. Maybe companies have realised that they are not reaching out to diverse audiences or maybe the worldwide reaction to the recent events have made them reflect.
I have been involved in either delivering or developing diversity training for over 30 years, and I often question the impact of diversity training, although years ago it was called race awareness, with more of a focus of learning about other cultures and what racism is, as opposed to encouraging participants to reflect on their own unconscious bias.
In the 1970’s s we saw the emergence of Black Identity theories such as Cross 1971, and in the 1990’s a rise in Black Identity training,in the wake of research into the impact of transracial adoption, a common practice in the 1960’s and 1970’s.
Fast forward 30 plus years, we now have Cultural Competency or Unconscious Bias training , which encourages us to reflect on our own values, and develop positive attitudes towards cultural differences, and gaining knowledge about different cultures to enable us to understand more about different cultures and their experiences, to help build better relationship. It also encourages us to reflect on any unconscious bias we may have towards others.
The variations of culture or diversity training all have the same aim, which is to enable people to understand the constructs of racism and discrimination, to encourage reflection on one’s values and perceptions, with the aim of hopefully one day achieving equality for all, an end to discrimination and racism as well as other forms of oppression.
So has it made a difference?
The Home Office published a report in 2018, which showed in the years 2017/18 there were over 94, 000 hate crimes recorded by Police in England and Wales, an increase of over 17% from the previous year. In 2019 that figure increased to over 97, 000 and in March 2020 there were over 105, 000 hate crimes reported.
As you can see that despite all legislation we have in place and all the training in place, we are seeing an increase year on year.
So what needs to change?
There needs to be personal as well as organisational shift. Its not enough just to have an equality and diversity policy, or mandatory equality and diversity training, that is merely a tick box exercise, when your organisation is not reflective of diversity at all levels, and your services do not meet the needs of diverse groups and staff are still experiencing inequality and discrimination.
Having celebrations in Black History month, or LGBT month and doing nothing the rest of the year, won’t have the same impact as having something that is integral in all of your celebrations and events, all year round.
When you go on training, do you reflect on what you need to do differently? Do you reflect on your own values and perceptions?
If we want to bring about any form of sustainable and long lasting change, we need to start with self. We need to value the diversity of other cultures, of people from different backgrounds, ages, genders, ability and disability, and show it in our actions.
Creating that domino effect, wherein you model the behaviour you want to see in others is one way in which we can bring about this change.
I would love to hear your own thoughts on the theme. Follow us on Twitter or on Facebook Chinara Enterprises and leave your views.
I also want to take the time to say a personal thank you to all social workers who have worked through one of the most challenging times during the past year, putting yourselves at risk to ensure that there is a service for all who need it during the pandemic.
We see a lot of claps for the NHS, who I know have found it equally if not more challenging during this time, and with very little reward.
Be proud of what you have achieved, I know I am proud of my contribution to social work, and feel very lucky to be doing something that I enjoy.
I shall be sharing my social work journey next week as part of our first free members event, as well as providing a guided tour of the new platform.
I hope to see you there !
CPD events
If you are in one of our members areas, you will benefit from discounted rates on all of our courses.
You can also access discounted rates for Making Research Count (MRC) events. A gentle reminder that you can only access the special rate for MRC events through this link, you will pay more if you book direct with MRC, so please do not email MRC to book.
Click on the latest events section of the website to see details of other events and to book your place.
To access the discounted rate, you will need to use your invitation code you were given when you received the information to join.
If you do not remember your invitation code, then please get in touch.
CPD hot topic !
We are really pleased to be launching an important seminar on the Liberty Protection Safeguards.
This is an essential briefing to gain an insight into the key legislative changes regarding mental capacity.
We have one of the leading lawyers Tim Spencer Lane, speaking at this seminar, with a Q and A.
Date: Tuesday 20th April 2021
Time: 6pm-7.30 pm
In July 2018, the government published a Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill, which passed into law in May 2019. It replaces the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) with a scheme known as the Liberty Protection Safeguards
This seminar will provide an overview of the following:
Background to the LPS – why they were introduced and key principles
What types of arrangements can be authorised and by whom?
The authorisation process
The key safeguards – including rights to advocacy and the Court of Protection
Other features of the LPS – including interim authorisations and the Mental Health Act interface
Next steps – the public consultation on the Code and regs, and transitional arrangements
Facilitator: Tim Spencer Lane
Tim is a lawyer who specialises in mental capacity, mental health, and social care law. He works for the Government Legal Department (Department of Health and Social Care) where he advises on mental capacity and mental health law.
At the Law Commission, Tim led the review of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
The fee is £20 + VAT for non members
£15 + VAT for members
Click here to book
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