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Introduction to Frontline's Podcast

Overview of the Podcast

• The podcast features discussions with social workers and sector experts on key topics affecting children and families.

• Reflections and takeaways will be shared to help professionals improve their work with children and families.

Host Background

• Hannah, the host, is a Principal Practice Tutor at Frontline, with experience in various sectors including hospitals and child protection teams.

• She emphasizes that social work should focus on social justice, drawing inspiration from fellow social workers and community activists.

Guest Introduction: Alison Humes

Alison Humes' Profile

• Alison is a Welsh Romani social worker, activist, and co-founder of the Gypsy Roma Travellers Social Work Association (GRTSW).

• With 23 years of experience, she specializes in safeguarding for both children and adults.

Formation of GRTSW

Motivation Behind GRTSW

• GRTSW was established in June 2020 during the pandemic to create a support network for Romani and Traveller social workers.

• Alison recognized educational disadvantages limiting representation in the profession among these communities.

Goals of GRTSW

• The association aims to provide peer support, challenge anti-Gypsyism within the profession, and foster positive change.

• Inspired by movements like Black Lives Matter, GRTSW seeks community solidarity to address systemic issues faced by Romani people.

Achievements Since Inception

Key Initiatives

• GRTSW has developed extensive training programs focused on supporting Romani and Traveller families across the UK.

• Training incorporates lived experiences alongside professional insights and empirical research from Dr. Dan Allen regarding over-representation in child welfare services.

Theory of Change

• A five-year theory of change has been established to guide co-production efforts aimed at grassroots transformation within communities.

Advocacy Efforts

Engagement with Policy Changes

• GRTSW has contributed evidence to significant inquiries such as the independent review of children's social care in England.

• They campaigned against legislation impacting nomadic peoples while developing good practice guidance for welfare assessments post-legislation enactment.

Challenges Faced

Capacity Issues

• The core membership remains small due to educational barriers; thus allyship is crucial for expanding capacity within the profession.

Understanding Values and Ethics in Social Work with Romani and Traveller Families

Importance of Values and Ethics

• Emphasizes the significance of aligning social work practices with the values and ethical codes relevant to Romani and Traveller families.

• Highlights that practicing consistently with these values helps avoid missteps in social work.

Curiosity in Practice

• Stresses the importance of curiosity among social workers about families, their customs, values, and what matters to them.

• Encourages conducting research on different ethnicities and cultures when working with Romani or Traveller families.

Cultural Sensitivity

• Points out the availability of resources for culturally appropriate practices not limited to just Romani and Traveller communities.

• Notes that local authorities should provide comprehensive information to support social workers in understanding diverse family backgrounds.

The Intersection of Social Work and Activism

Human Rights-Based Profession

• Discusses how social work is fundamentally a human rights-based profession committed to social justice.

• Argues that being an activist is essential for social workers as they witness structural disadvantages faced by clients.

Moral Responsibility

• States that witnessing hardships without taking action raises moral questions for social workers regarding their role.

• Advocates for solidarity among social workers, emphasizing shared values of equality and fairness.

Managing Moral Distress in Social Work

Coping Mechanisms

• Explores how engaging in activism can help alleviate moral distress experienced by social workers due to systemic challenges.

• Suggests that feeling empowered through activism provides a sense of agency beyond being just part of a system.

Changes in Activism within Social Work Over Time

Increase in Activism

• Reflecting on 22 years as a social worker, notes an increase in activism correlating with societal challenges since 2010.

• Cites participation in events like the Boot Out Austerity March as significant moments showcasing this rise.

Community Engagement

• Describes how many social workers joined marches, indicating a collective effort towards activism within the profession.

Concerns About Professional Perception

Fear Among Social Workers

• Acknowledges concerns from social workers about potential repercussions from management when participating in activism.

Supporting Activism Through Resources

Campaigners Handbook Development

• Discusses creating a campaigners handbook post-march to guide socially active practitioners while ensuring safety within their roles.

Diverse Forms of Activism

Options Beyond Marching

• Encourages various forms of involvement such as writing letters or organizing community events instead of traditional protests.

Engaging New Generations

Political Awareness Among Students

• Observes that new generations entering the field are increasingly politically aware and driven by justice-oriented values.

Advocating for Change in Social Work

The Role of Social Workers and Community Support

• Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, Alison emphasizes the need for social workers to educate themselves and advocate for changes, particularly regarding discrimination against the Gypsy Traveller community.

• Alison highlights that core social work values should guide interactions with young people, focusing on their interests and needs during discussions.

Youth Activism Program: When We Speak

• Fahar B. discusses "When We Speak," a youth activism program aimed at empowering individuals aged 15 to 25 through processing lived experiences.

• The program consists of three parts: reflection on personal experiences, connecting those experiences to systemic injustices, and practical project development to support their communities.

Flexible Learning Approach

• The program is learner-led and flexible, allowing participants to progress at their own pace without time constraints.

• Recognizing that many young people have various responsibilities (e.g., caring roles or housing instability), the program aims to create an accessible and supportive environment.

Addressing Systemic Issues

• Fahar notes the importance of addressing both micro (personal) and macro (community-wide) issues faced by young people in East London.

• He critiques traditional timelines imposed by funders that often overlook individual trauma and unique journeys of young participants.

Impact of Environment on Young People

• Young people face immense pressure related to productivity expectations, which can lead them to feel inadequate despite their efforts.

• The geographical context of Tower Hamlets reveals a shrinking physical space due to urban development, impacting community dynamics negatively.

Surveillance and Isolation

• Communities are under constant surveillance, leading to feelings of isolation as trust diminishes among residents who experience state violence.

• Gentrification exacerbates displacement issues within these communities, further reducing emotional spaces available for connection.

Creating Safe Spaces for Exploration

• "When We Speak" provides a nonjudgmental space where young people can explore their identities without fear of being judged or misunderstood.

• Feedback from participants indicates appreciation for having a safe environment where they can express themselves freely while navigating complex thoughts.

Recommendations for Social Workers

• Fahar suggests that social workers adopt a learner-led approach similar to "When We Speak," valuing process over strict outcomes in youth engagement.

• Emphasizing relationships over projects is crucial; recognizing each participant as an individual rather than just part of a program fosters deeper connections.

Building Collaborative Partnerships

• Establishing partnerships with organizations focused on process rather than outcomes can enhance support systems available for young people facing challenges.

Engaging Young People Through Community Projects

Core Project and Outreach

• The core project at Toynbee Hall focuses on engaging young people, offering both in-house sessions and outreach to various organizations like youth clubs and carer groups.

• Sessions are designed to be flexible, allowing facilitators to respond to the needs and interests of participants without a strict agenda.

Building Trust with Young People

• Emphasizes the importance of giving young people space to build trust over time, rather than expecting immediate trust from them.

• Highlights that consistent presence and genuine interest can foster trust, even among those with previous negative experiences with social workers.

Acknowledging Historical Context

• Social workers must recognize their role within a broader context of mistrust stemming from past experiences that young people have had with professionals.

• Long-term commitment is crucial for social workers, despite challenges posed by limited resources; this consistency helps counteract cycles of mistrust.

Importance of Youth-Led Initiatives

• Projects should allow for fluidity and adaptability, enabling young people to take ownership of initiatives rather than being confined to structured programs.

• The program's success relies on content generated by the youth themselves, which is vital in an environment where many opportunities are diminishing.

Innovative Youth Projects

• Examples include community gardens, self-defense classes for young carers, and empowerment sessions for specific demographics like Somali girls in East London.

• Notable projects also address intergenerational storytelling and identity issues faced by refugees who grew up in the UK but retain complex backgrounds.

Addressing Identity and Belonging

• Workshops using theatre aim to facilitate discussions around identity for refugee children who navigate dual cultural identities.

• Other initiatives include creating all-black women choirs and workshops aimed at building confidence among women through social enterprises.

Valuing Lived Experience

• Young people's lived experiences provide invaluable insights into community needs that traditional charity sectors may overlook.

• Training includes how to articulate these experiences while maintaining personal boundaries to prevent exploitation or emotional harm during presentations.

Activism Perspectives

• Discussion shifts towards activism as perceived through direct actions such as protests; highlights the need for understanding diverse interpretations within current contexts.

Activism and Social Justice in Social Work

The Role of Activism in Social Work

• The speaker reflects on their experience as a newly qualified social worker, emphasizing that activism within social work is broader than commonly perceived.

• They argue against the notion that activism is dead in social work, asserting it can manifest in various forms, such as taking a clear stance while working with families.

• The speaker believes their role involves empowering families to ensure fair and equitable treatment, which they consider a form of activism.

• They identify themselves as an activist if their messaging about empowerment is clear, regardless of their level of experience.

• Acknowledging constraints like power dynamics, the speaker discusses how these factors influence their approach to activism.

Connection Between Social Work and Social Justice

• The discussion shifts to the link between social work and social justice; the speaker views them as fundamentally connected.

• They reference the British Association of Social Workers' definition of social work, highlighting that social justice is central to this field.

• For the speaker, social justice encompasses human rights, fairness, equity, equality, and equal opportunities—concepts they find essential yet complex.

• Empowerment is emphasized as crucial for effective frontline practice; without fairness and access to resources, true empowerment cannot occur.

• The speaker articulates that equal opportunities across economic, political, and social dimensions are at the heart of both social work and social justice.

Tensions Within Social Work Practice

• When asked about being change activists within statutory roles, the speaker acknowledges inherent tensions due to systemic constraints faced by local authority workers.

• They describe being agents of the state with duties dictated by statute while grappling with personal convictions about what constitutes just action for families.

• Conflicts arise when personal beliefs about equity clash with managerial priorities or bureaucratic limitations affecting service delivery.

• Despite these challenges—such as limited resources—the speaker believes there are ways to advocate effectively for families while fulfilling statutory obligations.

• Reflecting on early career doubts regarding advocacy potential within local authorities reveals a journey toward finding actionable pathways for support.

Aspirations for Future Practice

• As they contemplate their future role in child welfare services, the speaker expresses a desire to be an anti-oppressive practitioner focused on promoting social justice.

• They aim to collaborate effectively with other agencies while maintaining a strong position rooted in curiosity—intellectually and emotionally—to enhance multi-agency relationships.

• Their goal includes advocating for vulnerable populations by accurately representing family voices during critical meetings rather than imposing personal views.

• Emphasizing strengths-based approaches allows them to empower families while ensuring equitable access to necessary resources.

• Ultimately, they believe that even non-traditional forms of activism can drive meaningful change by recognizing family knowledge and power within practice contexts.

Interview with Linda Burheim on Activism and Children's Voices

Background of Linda Burheim

• Linda Burheim has over two decades of experience in policy research and practice improvement, focusing on children in care since 2008.

• She leads the Voices Improving Care team at Core & Voice, advocating for children's voices in social care services.

Understanding Activism

• For Burheim, activism involves supporting children and young people with care experience to be heard in decisions affecting them.

• It is about creating spaces for their voices and championing their needs when they cannot advocate for themselves.

Importance of Activism

• Activism is crucial for shifting perspectives and refocusing policies on what matters to children and young people.

• It aims to change cultural values, emphasizing that children should be seen as experts in their own experiences.

Challenges in Policy Development

• Historically, policy has been driven by performance measures rather than children's viewpoints or feelings about their lives.

• The focus should shift towards understanding what makes children feel happy or safe within the system.

Key Findings from Research Programs

• The Brycebos program investigates factors contributing to a good life for children in care and care leavers.

• Relationships are vital; however, children's experiences differ significantly from those of other youth due to their unique circumstances.

Insights into Children's Needs

• Children in care often lack family relationships but still value connections with family members despite living with carers or social workers.

• Trusting relationships with social workers and having a say in personal decisions are critical aspects impacting children's well-being.

Overlooked Aspects of Well-being

• Factors like pets, access to social media, loneliness, and friendships may not be prioritized by professionals but are significant to children.

Empowering Social Workers

• Social workers can empower young people by communicating opportunities for participation even if advocacy isn't their primary role.

Challenging Policies

• Social workers should question existing policies that may hinder children's ability to maintain friendships or participate fully in life outside the system.

Engaging Young People Effectively

• Creative engagement methods include surveys developed through workshops that capture children's well-being based on what matters most to them.

Understanding the Needs of Young People in Foster Care

Importance of Self-Image and Communication

• Young people expressed dissatisfaction with their appearance and a lack of opportunities to communicate with friends or carers about important personal matters.

The Fostering Five Initiative

• A formal initiative called the "Fostering Five" was developed, focusing on five key conversations for foster carers: self-image, friendships, shared experiences with peers, communication about significant issues, and educational encouragement.

Integration into Foster Care Practices

• The initiative emphasized integrating these discussions into recruitment, training, supervision, and annual reviews for foster carers to ensure consistent focus on children's needs.

Resources for Carers

• A film was created by the service manager to explain the initiative alongside a prompt sheet offering ideas for foster carers to implement these conversations effectively.

Action Plans for Improvement

• Carers collaborated with supervising social workers to develop action plans that reflected on how they could better address the concerns raised by children in care.

The Value of Youth Perspectives

Simplicity and Innovation from Young People

• The simplicity of youth perspectives can lead to innovative solutions; young people's open-mindedness contrasts with adult institutionalized thinking in social work practices.

Practical Examples from Authorities

• An example from Isle of Wight highlighted young people's involvement in commissioning supported accommodation based on their safety and comfort needs.

Enabling Youth Influence Beyond Social Work

Societal Responsibility

• Discussion centered around how society and politics can create more opportunities for young people to influence the care system beyond individual roles within social work.

Resource Allocation

• Effective engagement requires resources such as time and physical spaces (both online and offline), along with decision-makers willing to listen and act upon feedback from young people.

Activism Within Social Work

Facilitating Voices

• Social workers play a crucial role as facilitators who help amplify young people's voices rather than speaking over them or taking up space themselves.

Collaboration with Community Groups

• Engaging with community groups allows social workers to connect marginalized individuals directly with platforms like Coram Voice or When We Speak, promoting activism among youth.

Conclusion of Insights

Call for Examples

• The speaker invites listeners to share additional examples of effective practices in social work that empower youth voices.

Final Thoughts

• Closing remarks emphasize appreciation for guests' insights throughout the series while encouraging continued engagement through subscriptions and feedback.