ExChange Wales: Social care training & resource

We chatted with Verity Bennett & Stuart Allen from SCALE - the Centre for Social Care & Artificial Intelligence Learning - about the potential usages, benefits and ethics of using AI within social care and how it could improve outcomes for service users. 

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Jon Glasby joins us to discuss his research on care homes closures: hearing from the experiences of social workers and families and learning how best to manage closures in a way that minimises negative outcomes for older people and families, and key lessons for Councils as they manage future closures.

Guides, training videos and more information on the research report can be found on this page: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/projects/achieving-closure

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

As CASCADE closes out their #GoodCommunicationMatters season, we chatted with Donald Forrester about effective communication in social work through the practice of Motivational Interviewing. It combines empathy, collaboration and skilled communication with the realities of statutory child and family social work.

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

In this episode, Robert Lomax discusses his work on exploring Bourdieu's theories of 'Habitus', 'Field' and 'Capital' within in multi-disciplinary social work settings.

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Rosie Canning, author of 'Hiraeth' discusses her new book 'In Care and Incredible', her own life experience of growing up in care, and her mission to de-stigmatise care experience in literature. 

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

This is the second podcast in our summer conference on Informal Carers. In this episode we chat with CASCADE Researcher Lorna Stabler and Rose, an informal carer, about the experiences of Informal Kinship Care of children and young people. 

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

In this episode we hear from Sarah Donnelly as she discusses her work on unintentional ‘carer harm’ in Ireland.

You can read the paper here: https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article/55/4/1695/7979369

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Martin Elliott sits down with three members of the CASCADE Parents Group in this episode. They discuss the importance of including Public Involvement within Social Care Research, highlighting the expertise and voices of those with lived experience, and how to support members of your public involvement groups throughout the research process and afterwards. 

Critical reflections on public involvement in research: Involving involuntary recipients of social services to improve research quality | The British Journal of Social Work | Oxford Academic: 

https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article/55/5/2500/8099914

Find out more about ExChange Wales on...

In this episode, Martin discusses the involvement and overrepresentation of parents with learning disabilities with children's services with Beth Tarleton and Danielle Turney. 

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

For our spring conference on Adult Safeguarding, Sarah Lonbay joins us to talk about her research on identifying and responding to domestic abuse in older populations, the key challenges and complexities. 

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Jeremy Dixon interviews Renée Aleong about her research on the detention of Black people - and the overrepresentation of Black Men - under the Mental Health Act, as well as sharing the opinions and anecdotes of AMHPS (Approved Mental Health Professionals) involved within these processes.

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Angela Endicott discusses her research exploring the epistemic injustice around child welfare practice with parents who use substances. 

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Jeremy Dixon interviews Denise Turner about the complex issues of dealing with dogs within social care work, and her recent article "We're not professionals when it comes to dogs". 

You can read Denise's article here: https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article/55/5/2464/8090589

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Martin Elliott interviews Finn Madell and Steve Baguley about how to improve transitional safeguarding to help prevent criminal exploitation of children and young people. 

They discuss its application in Wales, Newport Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (MACEs) meetings, and reflect on the future of safeguarding, changing legislation and improving communication between child and adult services.

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Welcome to the ExChange Wales Podcast! 

In this trailer episode, hosts Martin Elliott and Jeremy Dixon introduce themselves as the hosts for the new season of the ExChange Wales podcast. 

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Richard Gater discusses his new book 'The 21st Century Ladz: Continuity and Changes among Marginalised Young Men from the South Wales Valleys', which draws on his qualitative study exploring changing ideas of manhood, masculinities and social class identity. 

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Join us for a conversation with Suzanne Cahill on 'Dementia, Human Rights and Social Care', hosted by Jeremy Dixon. 

Find out more about Suzanne's upcoming book 'Human Rights in Dementia Care: A Good Practice Guide' (2025): https://uk.jkp.com/products/human-rights-in-dementia-care

Purchase 'Dementia and Human Rights' (2018) by Suzanne Cahill: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/dementia-and-human-rights

This podcast was recorded as part of our Spring 2025 conference 'Dementia Support in a Diverse World'. Find out more about our conference on the ExChange Wales website and sign up to the w...

Join us for a discussion about the work of 'Maggie's Club' - with Enireth & Alex - a monthly creativity workshop provided by UCAN Productions in Cardiff, for children with visual impairments and additional disabilities. 

Hear testimonials from parents of children who have really benefitted from the workshops, and find out how you can get involved. 

Interviewer: Alyson Rees
Recorded in September 2024

This podcast was recorded as part of our Autumn 2024 ExChange Wales conference 'Being Seen, Heard and Valued'. 

Find out more on our website and sign up to the webinars in...

Professor Alyson Rees, in conversation with Lemn Sissay OBE, about his experience in care as a child.
 
In his memoir "My Name Is Why", Sissay reflects on his childhood, self-expression and Britishness, and in doing so, explores the institutional care system, race, family and the meaning of home.
 
We explore Sissay's experience in care, his relationships with his support workers & the messages "My Name Is Why" has for social care.
 
Featuring: 
Lemn Sissay OBE
Prof Alyson Rees
Lorna Stabler

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and...

In this episode of CASCADE Talks, Sarah Wallace & Emily Underwood-Lee discuss Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) and the impact it has had on their lives & the lives of those around us.

This episode is part of the Exchange Wales  "When Home is Where the Hurt Is" Summer conference series around domestic abuse & care. To find out more, go to: https://www.exchangewales.org/when-home-is-where-the-hurt-is/

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

The Live Fear Free Helpline is for anyone who is or might know someone currently experiencing domestic abuse, sexual violence and/or violence against women. 
Call 0808 80 10 800 or go to https://www.welshwomensaid.org.uk/what-we-do/live-fear-free-helpline/ for more information. 

In this episode of CASCADE talks Vicky Lang of Women's Aid Cymru talks to three survivors of domestic abuse about their experiences.

This episode is part of Exchange Wales's "When Home is Where the Hurt Is" Summer conference series around Domestic abuse & care. To find out more, go to: https://www.exchangewales.org/when-home-is-where-the-hurt-is/

This podcast explores how to build and develop strengths-based approaches in adult social care.

Speakers:
John Williams, Assistant Director of Adult Social Care in Birmingham City Council
Dan Burrows, Lecturer in Social Work at Cardiff University

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

A genuine STOP PRESS moment – award winning writer Kayleigh Llewellyn has recorded an interview exclusively for ExChange Wales with Professor Donald Forrester.  Kayleigh, who openly discusses the autobiographical nature of her double series ‘In my Skin’, tells Donald about her own experience of an upbringing in a family home with serious mental health and domestic violence issues, portrayed through the main character Bethan.  Kayleigh shares her thoughts on the challenges she faced growing up, messages for health and social care services, kindness of individuals, resilience, and how she deals with difficult issues through humour.  Watch the interview on our YouTube n...

Co-production is about valuing everyone and understanding that we all have something to contribute to solutions. This podcast, presented by both experts by professionalism and experience, presents co-production from different unique perspectives.
 
Speakers

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

Lyn Romeo has been the Chief Social Worker in England for Adults since September 2013. In the past, Lyn worked as an Assistant Director for Adult Social Care in the London Borough of Camden, an inspector with the Social Services Inspectorate, and also worked in Yorkshire as a field social worker. This interview is conducted by Sarah Farragher a social work professional doctorate student at Cardiff University looking at strengths-based approaches and social work. 

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and sign up to future events: https://www.exchangewales.org/

PhD researchers Lorna Stabler, Cardiff University and Abbie Toner, University of Suffolk both have experience of being kinship carers. Lorna has carried out research with kinship carers on projects in England and Wales, and Abbie has extensive experience of supporting grandparent carers and children as a support worker for two local authorities and a third sector organisation. 

Kinship care is often discussed as another form of care for children and young people who cannot live with their previous primary carers. Because of this, terms that are used within social work and the care system are often applied t...

Care experienced people may face numerous transitions throughout their lives, many of them relating to education. Whether it’s moving schools due to moving placements, transitioning to post-16 education, or making the jump to university, every transition has its own challenges – and opportunities. Here, CASCADE’s Hannah Bayfield (who researches care experienced young people’s experiences of higher education) and Lorna Stabler (who has lived experience of being a care experienced student as well as being a fellow CASCADE researcher) discuss Lorna’s own journey, sources of support and tips for transitions into HE.

Gall pobl â phrofiad gofal wyneb...

Join Louise Roberts and Rachael Vaughan for this special edition podcast discussing parenthood for young people in and leaving care. The podcast features care-experienced parents, as well as guest speakers from Voices from Care Cymru, NYAS Cymru and TGP Cymru.  

An insightful and thought-provoking conversation, discussing the need for policy and practice change, innovative efforts to support parents and the newly developed good practice charter.

For more information on the project, visit our website.

Ymunwch â Louise Roberts a Rachael Vaughan ar gyfer y podlediad arbennig hwn yn trafod bod yn rhiant i bobl if...

MI is now widely used in services for children, playing a key part in innovations such as Family Drug and Alcohol Courts, the Family Safeguarding model and Intensive Family Support Teams. In this session Steve Rollnick (co-creator of Motivational Interviewing) talks with Donald Forrester, David Wilkins and Charlie Whittaker about their forthcoming book on this topic. Discussion will cover the contribution that MI can make to child and family work and how to respond to key problems or challenges such as how to have difficult conversations and applying MI principles in the context of child protection - plus wherever...

Dr Daniel Burrows is in conversation with Chris Williamson, a social work practice educator  and trainer to talk about the implications of the study 'Voices of Carers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Messages for the future of unpaid caring in Wales' for social work practice. The study has been published by Cardiff University.

Mae Dr Daniel Burrows mewn cysylltiad â Chris Williamson, hyfforddwr ac addysgwr ymarfer gwaith cymdeithasol i drafod goblygiadau’r astudiaeth ‘Lleisiau Gofalwyr yn ystod Pandemig COVID-19: Negeseuon ar gyfer dyfodol rhoi gofal di-dâl yng Nghymru’ i ymarfer gwaith cymdeithasol. Mae’r astudiaeth wedi’i cyhoeddi ga...

Donald Forrester is joined by Sue Williams, Programme Director Strengthening Families/Family Safeguarding in Hertfordshire County Council. She speaks about her experience within the sector, transforming Hertfordshire and collaborating with other authorities and Mission Impossible.

Bydd Sue Williams, Cyfarwyddwr Rhaglen Cryfhau Teuluoedd / Diogelu Teuluoedd yng Nghyngor Swydd Hertford yn ymuno â Donald Forrester. Mae hi'n siarad am ei phrofiad o fewn y sector, yn trawsnewid Swydd Hertford a chydweithio ag awdurdodau eraill a Mission Impossible

Music: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers

Cerddoriaeth: The Right Direction by Shane Ivers

Find out more a...

CASCADE Centre Director, Donald Forrester is joined by Jake Morgan, Director of Communities and Deputy Chief Executive and Stefan Smith, Head of Children’s Services in Carmarthenshire County Council. They speak about their journey into social work, integrating social work models into their work amongst a range of topics. 

Mae Jake Morgan, Cyfarwyddwr Cymunedau a Dirprwy Brif Weithredwr a Stefan Smith, Pennaeth Gwasanaethau Plant yng Nghyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin yn ymuno â Chyfarwyddwr Canolfan CASCADE, Donald Forrester. Maen nhw'n siarad am eu taith i waith cymdeithasol, gan integreiddio modelau gwaith cymdeithasol yn eu gwaith ymhlith amrywiaeth o bynciau.
...

CASCADE Research Centre Director, Donald Forrester, is joined by Andrew Jarrett, Director of Social Services, Health and Housing in Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council. Andrew talks about his journey and experience in social work and discusses, amongst many issues, the rates of children in care in Neath Port Talbot.

Bydd Cyfarwyddwr Canolfan Ymchwil CASCADE, Donald Forrester, yn ymuno ag Andrew Jarrett, Cyfarwyddwr Gwasanaethau Cymdeithasol, Iechyd a Thai yng Nghyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Castell-nedd Port Talbot. Bydd Andrew yn siarad am ei daith a'i brofiad ym maes gwaith cymdeithasol yn ogystal â llu o faterion eraill gan gynnwys cyfraddau p...

The podcast discusses the relationship between poverty and contact with children's services. Drawing on the Child Welfare Inequalities Project , Professor Brigid Featherstone, discusses potential approaches to supporting families around their material circumstances at the level of individual practice, local authorities, and national policy.

Mae'r podlediad yn trafod y berthynas rhwng tlodi a chyswllt â gwasanaethau plant.  Drwy ddefnyddio ei gwybodaeth am y prosiect Anghydraddoldebau Lles Plant, mae'r Athro Brigid Featherstone yn trafod sut y gall unigolion, awdurdodau lleol a pholisïau cenedlaethol gynorthwyo teuluoedd â’u hamgylchiadau materol.

Find out more about ExChange Wales on our website and si...