Let's Talk Social Work
Episodes
Exploring the relationship between supervision and practice with children and families
01 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Supervision and home visits are central to social work with children and families, yet the interaction between them is rarely considered. Given the im...
Centenary Episode: In Conversation with Baroness Lister CBE
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
One hundred not out for Let’s Talk Social Work!To mark our centenary, we’re delighted to welcome Baroness Ruth Lister CBE onto the podcast for a u...
“I am the Safeguard, and I am Alone” - Carers, Nearest Relatives, and the Reality of the Mental Health Act
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever considered what the role of a Nearest Relative is like?Under the Mental Health Act for England and Wales, any one of us could be thrust ...
Scotland and Wales Decide
22 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Significant elections are taking place in Scotland and Wales this year.With the current political mood so unpredictable, the make-up of Holyrood in Ed...
What does the future hold for social work and BASW?
24 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Let’s Talk Social Work is kickstarting 2026 with a broad episode exploring the state of the profession in the UK.Host Jonny Adamson is joined by BAS...
The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Babies and Infants
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One third of domestic abuse begins during pregnancy, rising to 40% within a baby’s first 1001 days of life. It contributes to around one in four bab...
Can we go higher? Opportunities for further education in social work
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Higher degrees, such as a Master’s or a Doctoral, can prove extremely valuable for social workers and their practice. But is it a realistic and acce...
Beware of the Dog - how should social workers manage encounters with dogs?
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Social workers frequently come into contact with dogs in their practice. Yet until now, it hasn't featured in social work research, education, trainin...
The Handover
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After 93 episodes, Andy McClenaghan is moving on from hosting Let’s Talk Social Work. Following a short break, the podcast will return in the a...
Solidarity Forever: exploring the role of social work in promoting international solidarity and human rights
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This special episode has been made to celebrate World Social Work Day 2025, the theme of which is ‘Strengthening Intergenerational Solidarity for En...
Discussing the state of dementia training for social workers and social care workers
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 91 Andy McClenaghan is joined by Abigail Gagen, Emily Hindle and Angie Button to discuss how dementia affects people’s lives and explore ...
Exploring what the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill could mean for social work
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of Let’s Talk Social Work of 2025 Andy McClenaghan is joined by Chair of the British Association of Social Workers, Julia Ross,...
Brain Injury, Social Work and Human Rights
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, made to mark Human Rights Day 2024, Andy and his guests explore the issue of brain injury and how social workers can best support peo...
Cultural Capability in Social Work
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The UK is a richly diverse society and social workers will frequently work with children, families and individuals whose cultural heritage differs fro...
Exploring Artificial Intelligence in Social Work—Ethics, Opportunities and Risk
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Andy and his guests discuss Artificial Intelligence in social work. They explore the concept from three angles—how might AI play a ...
Exploring the experiences of Indigenous Peoples—resilience, social justice and lessons for social work
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In our first episode back after the summer break we discuss the experiences of Indigenous People, exploring issues of resilience and social justice an...
What does the Labour landslide mean for adult social care in England?
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the last episode of the podcast before we take a break for the summer, Andy and guests have an opportunity to reflect on the outcome of the UK gene...
Operation Encompass
04 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, number 84 in our series, Andy McClenaghan and guests discuss Operation Encompass—a police and education early information safeguard...
Reflective Supervision
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore reflective supervision—what it is, how it can benefit social workers by improving their wellbeing and job satisfaction, a...
Wake Up Call—a conversation exploring first-hand accounts of living in the care system, as detailed in the anthology, ‘Free Loaves on Fridays’
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Andy is joined by Bekah Pierre and Alice Spencer to discuss the wonderful anthology—Free Loaves on Fridays. Free Loaves on Fridays is a co...
School Social Work
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
School social work is long established in the USA but in its infancy in Northern Ireland. This episode examines the nature of school social work with ...
Poverty is a political choice
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Following our last episode exploring the BASW UK General Election Manifesto, we examine the issue of poverty and what needs to change to improve the c...
A Change Would Do You Good—Exploring BASW’s 2024 General Election Manifesto
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A general election is coming. When it will be, no one is quite sure, but what we do know is what needs to change to improve situations for social work...
My Way: exploring independent social work
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With independence comes opportunities as well as risks. Andy McClenaghan is joined by Independent social workers Michelle Strain, Jo Fox and Gareth Mc...
‘Don’t park the bus’ — exploring the benefits of coaching in social work
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A first for Let’s Talk Social Work, Andy McClenaghan and guests discuss the benefits of coaching in social work. The conversation explores what...
‘Rise up with me against the organisation of misery’
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“If health has stopped improving it is a sign that society has stopped improving.”These are the words of Professor Sir Michael Marmot in the repor...
Dignity, respect, empowerment: adult safeguarding explored with Dr Jeremy Dixon
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dignity, respect, empowerment: adult safeguarding explored with Dr Jeremy DixonEpisode 75 of Let’s Talk Social Work explores adult safegua...
Friends in high places
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores social work and government policy in Wales. That’s not unusual for Let’s Talk Social Work, but what is a little different is...
Responding to sibling sexual behaviour and abuse
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of the podcast features discussion of issues that may cause distress, including sexual harm and abuse by siblings, and listener discretio...
Meet me where I’m at
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The first episode of Let’s Talk Social Work of 2024 explores a fantastic, coproduced training project run by the Western Health and Social Care Trus...
Promote the Vote
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, made to mark Human Rights Day, we’re examining a really fascinating subject—the Promote the Vote project. The project h...
Social Work with Older People
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the findings of the Social Work with Older People research project led by the University of Birmingham and the University of Bri...
A portrait of the social worker
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a break from the norm. It doesn’t explore an area of practice, a social policy issue or a campaign. Rather, it is a discussion of a ...
Nothing about us without us
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What does it look like when experts by experience are fully involved in shaping and informing social work education? What does the role entail?&n...
When the going gets tough
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Social work is a demanding role and even under the best of circumstances, as social workers support individuals to improve life opportunities, they wi...
Self-Neglect: Exploring the Social Work Response
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 66 of Let’s Talk Social Work examines a subject which previously hasn’t been explored on the podcast. The discussion focuses on self-negle...
Age assessment of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of Let’s Talk Social Work explores the incredibly important topic of the age assessment of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.Immigr...
With a Little Help from My Friends
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Andy McClenaghan and guests explore the therapeutic role artistic and musical creativity can play in improving mental health.Andy is j...
Half A World Away
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded just before the summer break, Andy McClenaghan and guests, Priya David and Duc Tran, discuss some of the many issues faced by overseas social...
A Ray of Light?
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For the past year and a half, the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care Services has examined the challenges facing the delivery of children’...
Let's Talk Social Work Live!
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This very special episode was recorded live in front of an audience on Monday 12 June, ahead of the BASW UK conference at Conference Aston in Birmingh...
The safety net is broken: how the cost-of-living crisis is laying bare the failings of our social security system
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we return to the issue of poverty in the UK. The country remains gripped by the cost-of-living crisis, and while we are all...
Social work and the media
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Does media coverage reflect the public’s opinions of social work, or does it shape them? Has the tone of coverage changed over the years, and do pre...
It's a family affair
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In February, Let’s Talk Social Work examined the Government’s strategy for children’s social care in England, Stable Homes Built on Lo...
Stop, collaborate and listen
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this very special episode, Andy McClenaghan interviews Nana Akwasi Yabbey-Hagan and Robert Dyer, the hosts of The Social Worker and the Mentor...
M.E.
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, commonly shorted to M.E. and also referred to as chronic fatigue is an illness many people will be aware of. However, the i...
Social Work in Deeply Divided Societies
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode, made to mark World Social Work Day 2023, explores the role of social work in deeply divided societies. Social work is practiced und...
Promoting anti-racism in social work & society
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the podcast we’ve the fantastic opportunity to be back focusing on social work in Wales—more specifically, anti-racist social w...
Stable homes, built on air?
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On 2 February the Government launched its strategy for children's social care reform in England—Stable Homes, Built on Love. In this epis...
Beauty, confidence & understanding
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Let’s Talk Social Work we explore the important, and unfortunately all too often overlooked issue of the needs of Black children ...
Different ways of thinking
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andy McClenaghan is joined by social workers Deb Solomon and Florence Smith to talk about neurodiversity in social work and examine how empl...
Social Work in a conflict zone
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To start 2023, Andy McClenaghan is joined by Dr Rory Truell, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Social Workers to discuss how the Fe...
Two wrongs don’t make a right
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of 2022, our focus is on human rights in the UK. To celebrate Human Rights Day, Andy McClenaghan and guests explore the prot...
Out of the Shadows
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Returning to an issue which was the focus of our first ever episode—the role of social workers in disaster situations—this conversation explores t...
Criminal Justice Social Work
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Andy McClenaghan is joined by Caroline Bald and Helen Woods, Co-Chairs of the BASW England Criminal Justice Group, and BASW England P...
Counterparts
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Vivian Geiran, Chair of the Irish Association of Social Workers talks with Andy McClenaghan about social work in Ireland. They d...
The Never-Ending Story
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Since the 1990s, successive governments have unsuccessfully attempted to reform the approach to funding adult social care. In this episode, Andy ...
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode, made to mark World Mental Health Day, explores the delivery structures for mental health social work services in England. Andy McClenagh...
University Challenge
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Andy McClenaghan is joined by social work students Abigail Doe and Stuart Harrington, and Operational Head of Social Work a...
‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the benefits of a community-based, peer support approach to helping people recover from addiction. Joining Andy McClenaghan for ...
Hunger in the UK
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s July 2022 and households are being hammered by the highest rate of inflation in 40 years—a rate the Bank of England is predicting will rise a...
Why is anti-racism still crucial to social work practice?
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Members of BASW’s Black & Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium, Pauline Sergeant, Patriche Bentick and Pamela Shodeinde join Andy McClenaghan...
Therapy in name only
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode, made for Pride month 2022, examines the issue of anti-trans discrimination and conversion therapy. Host, Andy McClenaghan, is joined by ...
A National Indignity
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Andy McClenaghan is joined by Jamie Robinson, Principal Social Worker at Marie Curie’s Bradford Hospice and Mark Jackson, the chari...
Election Special
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This special episode of Let’s Talk Social Work is split into two parts. In the first section Andy McClenaghan is joined by BASW’s Public and Polit...
What the tech?
05 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-production—we hear about it all the time.It’s common for decision-makers to talk about involving the people who use services in their planning ...
Speaking Truth to Power
28 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's been a busy time at Westminster over the last 12 months, with several Bills that concern social work making progress through Parliament. Andy McC...
The hard yards: Campaigning for statutory guidance on restraint & seclusion in educational settings
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Revisiting an incredibly important issue, this episode explores the restraint and seclusion of children and young people in educational settings. ...
Lifting the lid on family group conferences
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Listen as Andy McClenaghan discusses family group conferences with Sarah Brown, Head of Social Work at the University of Kent, Dr Kate Parkinson, Subj...
Gold from the Stone—an interview with Lemn Sissay
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this special extended episode, made for World Social Work Day 2022, Lemn Sissay, poet, playwright, broadcaster and Chancellor of the University of ...
The case for care, not coercion
03 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
THIS EPISODE FEATURES DISCUSSION OF ISSUES WHICH MAY CAUSE DISTRESS, INCLUDING SUICIDE AND SELF-HARM, AND LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.Andy McClenag...
The kids aren’t alright—how unregulated placements fail our young people
10 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For our first episode of 2022, Bekah Pierre, a care experienced adult and BASW England Professional Officer, speaks to Andy McClenaghan about her arti...
Social Work, Human Rights & the Children Act — A Conversation with Lady Hale
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, made for Human Rights Day 2021, Lady Brenda Hale, former President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, joins Andy McClenaghan...
The Cost of Living Crisis
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As we head into the winter, millions of families across the UK are facing a cost of living crisis. Huge increases in electricity and gas prices, and s...
Anti-Racist Allyship
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mit Joyner, President of the National Association of Social Workers (USA) and Shantel Thomas, BASW Anti-Racism Lead join host, Andy M...
Money Matters—What the Budget & Spending Review mean for social work
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Cunningham MP, Shadow Justice Minister for Courts and Sentencing and former Chair of the Westminster All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Work...
Social Work, the Climate Crisis & the Politics of Hope
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In our 25th episode we explore a hugely important issue which was touched on all the way back in episode one, when we examined the role of social work...
Challenging Antisemitism in all its forms
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Andy McClenaghan is joined by guests Sam Lethbridge, Incidents Manager at the Community Security Trust and Paul Shuttleworth, Profess...
The Care Review, Part 2 — Meeting the needs of Black & minoritised children in care
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the second of two episodes exploring issues related to the independent review of children’s social care in England, Andy McClenaghan is joined by...
The Case For Banning Smacking
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy McClenaghan is joined by Baroness Joan Walmsley, Co-Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords, Kate Fallon, General Secretary ...
The Needle & the Damage Done — the relationship between problematic substance use & domestic abuse
19 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy McClenaghan is joined by guests, Dr Sarah Fox and Professor Sarah Galvani from Manchester Metropolitan University, and Dr Wulf Livingston from Wr...
Who Cares? — Examining the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
One month after publication of the first report of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care — The Case for Change — Andy McClenaghan is ...
Can I be honest with you?
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy McClenaghan is joined by Martin Sexton, Chair of the British Association of Social Workers Policy Ethics and Human Rights Committee and Carolyn E...
Homes not Hospitals
08 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Host, Andy McClenaghan, is joined by Barbara Keeley MP, Co-Chair of the Westminster All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Work, Alexis Quinn from th...
Exploring intersectionality in British Asian LGBTQIA+ Communities
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode, made for Pride Month 2021, explores challenges facing British Asian LGBTQIA+ and the ways in which social workers can better support thi...
Ending restraint & seclusion
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy McClenaghan is joined by Chris Lytle MLA, Chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Education, Nick Hobbs from the Children and Young ...
Anti-Racism
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy McClenaghan is joined by Mit Joyner, President of the National Association of Social Workers in the USA, and Shantel Thomas, BASW Anti-Racism Lea...
The Power of Politics — Election Special, 2021
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the aftermath of the counting of votes cast in elections for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, English local Council and elected Mayors, Andy ...
County Lines—breaking chains of abuse & exploitation
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Andy McClenaghan is joined by Lucy Dacey, National Programme Manager for The Children's Society's Disrupting Exploitation Programme an...
Challenging the last acceptable form of racism
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Dan Allen from Manchester Metropolitan University and the award-winning storyteller, author and playwright, Richard O’Neill join Andy McClenaghan...
Ubuntu—A Solution to Populism?
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this special extended edition of Let’s Talk Social Work—made in celebration of World Social Work Day 2021—Andy McClenaghan and guests explore...
The Budget
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Andy McClenaghan and guests Karl Handscomb, Senior Economist with the Resolution Foundation, Louise Woodruff, Policy and Partnerships Manager at the J...
Is Universal Credit Working?
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The social security system is failing to prevent millions of families from experiencing poverty. Andy McClenaghan is joined by Sophie Howes, Head of P...
What does the Biden administration mean for social work?
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On 20 January 2021, Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States of America. Andy McClenaghan is joined by joined by Professor...
Carer Aware?
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Supporting carers is a key role for social workers, but could services be improved? To explore the topic, Andy McClenaghan is joined by Allison Hulmes...
Domestic Abuse
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the first episode of 2021 Andy McClenaghan is joined by Sarah McMillan, Professional Officer with the Scottish Association of Social Workers, Racha...
Supporting refugees and asylum seekers—an interview with Lord Alf Dubs
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the second of our two episodes produced to celebrate Human Rights Day, Lord Alf Dubs joins Andy McClenaghan to discuss his work campaigning for the...
Social Work and Human Rights
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the first of two episodes created to celebrate Human Rights Day, Martin Sexton, Chair of BASW’s Policy, Ethics and Human Rights Committee, joins ...
What Does the Spending Review Mean for Social Work?
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, Andy McClenaghan is joined by BASW's Public and Political Affairs Lead, Kerri Prince and and Rosanne Palmer, BASW’s Policy ...
Voices of Social Work Through The Troubles
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In February 2019 BASW published its Voices of Social Work Through The Troubles study. The ground-breaking research, conducted by a team of academics l...