Social work with adults Insights, updates and reflections from the Chief Social Worker for Adults and others working in the field

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: From Awareness to Action

Robert Lewis and Sarah McClinton, 14 May 2026 - Care and support, Communities, Events, Information and access, Mental health, Our profession, Recognition, Safeguarding, Society, Viewpoint

Introduction from Sarah McClinton This blog marks Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 with a thoughtful reflection on what it means to move beyond awareness and towards meaningful action. It explores how mental health social work can help rebalance power, place …

Live More – supporting people living with dementia to stay active, connected and well through Shared Lives

Sarah McClinton and Neil Crowther, 8 April 2026 - Ageing, Care and support, Communities, Our profession

Introduction by Sarah McClinton I was so impressed when I heard about the Live More initiative in Greater Manchester and would like to thank Neil Crowther for this blog, which I am delighted to introduce. It is particularly timely, as …

The Importance of Placements in Social Work Education

Sarah McClinton and Christine Cocker, 20 March 2026 - Events, Knowledge and skills, Our profession, Viewpoint

Practice placements are a core part of qualifying as a social worker. Students must spend at least 200 days in practice over their course. Up to 30 of these days can be allocated to students developing their skills for practice; …

Innovation, AI and Social Work Practice

Sarah Blackmore, 19 March 2026 - Care and support, Education and training, Events, Information and access, Innovation, Knowledge and skills, Our profession, Viewpoint

For our fourth blog in celebration of Social Work Week 2026 we welcome Sarah Blackmore who is a registered social worker and the executive director of strategy, policy and engagement at Social Work England (SWE). In this blog, Sarah reflects on …

Difference as Strength: Leadership, Identity and Social Work in a Divided Society

Robert Lewis and Fazeela Hafejee, 18 March 2026 - Care and support, Events, Mental health, Our profession, Recognition, Society, Viewpoint

Robert Lewis, DHSC Mental Health Social Work Lead in conversation with Fazeela Hafejee, Assistant Director for Adults with Disabilities, Bradford – carried out on 25th February 2026. Introduction by Robert Lewis Ahead of Social Work Week, I invited Fazeela Hafejee …

Co-building hope and harmony: a Harambee call to unite a divided society

Colleen Simon, Vanna Changlee, Seanna Lassetter, Fran Marshall and Lucy Rush, 17 March 2026 - Care and support, Events, Our profession, Recognition, Viewpoint

The theme for World Social Work Day 2026 is Co-building hope and harmony: a Harambee call to unite a divided society. In this blog, the Adults Principal Social Worker Network Chair team share their reflections on this theme. Lucy Rush The 2026 World Social Work Day theme, ‘Co‑building hope and …

Welcoming Social Work Week 2026

Tricia Pereira and Sarah McClinton, 16 March 2026 - Care and support, Communities, Events, Our profession, Recognition, Viewpoint

Harambee “all pull together” feels like a homecoming theme for social work, the belief that people thrive when they are connected, when communities have the power to shape their own futures, and when support is built on trust, relationships and …

Discharge - what works

Sarah McClinton, 10 March 2026 - Care and support, Communities, Our profession, Viewpoint

It can feel like adult social care is seen nationally by the media and others through the lens of ‘discharge’ and ‘flow’. When I was President of ADASS, I remember waking up to the radio one morning to a story where the lack of social care capacity was blamed for acute pressures. I got in touch with the speaker to set the record straight. Since then, the conversation has shifted. There's a greater …

Why Social Work Identity Matters - reflections from Professional Leads in North East and Yorkshire NHS Trusts

Robert Lewis, Soyeb Aswat, Paula Swift, Jacqui Hooley, Fran Ashton and Simon Owens, 23 February 2026 - Care and support, Mental health, Our profession, Recognition, Viewpoint

Introduction by Robert Lewis In this guest blog we hear from a group of mental health social work leaders from the vibrant North East and Yorkshire NHS Trusts’ Social Work Community of Practice. Many remain unaware that social workers are an increasing presence in NHS mental health services. With their values and rights-based approaches, social …

Reflections on my first year as Chief Social Worker for Adults

Sarah McClinton, 19 January 2026 - Ageing, Care and support, Co-production, Communities, Consultation and engagement, Education and training, Events, Innovation, Integration, Knowledge and skills, Mental health, Our profession, Recognition, Safeguarding, Viewpoint

I hope the new year started well and everyone had a good break over the holidays. This time last year I started as the Chief Social Worker at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and much has happened …

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