Social Work Sorted with Vicki Shevlin

It’s October, the season is changing, and I’m in full reset mode. In this episode I share five ways to simplify your practice and your working life: your workspace, your to-do list, your language, your focus and your aim. They’re small, practical shifts you can make this week, whether you’re newly qualified or years into practice.

I also talk about what a heavy month of training delivery has looked like, why assessment skills are about so much more than writing things up, and why we need to be careful with AI language models when it...

Independent social work is on the rise, but we don’t talk about it honestly enough. In this episode I’m sharing what it actually means, how my own route into independence looked, and why I think the narrative around it,  that it’s an easy escape or a quick route to more money,  is worth challenging. 

I also get into the ethics of commissioned assessments, the lack of collective standards, and what it means for the profession when people move into training or independent practice for the wrong reasons. If you’re thinking about independence, already doing it, o...

 I left local authority social work four years ago, not because I was burnt out, but because I couldn't keep building my training work alongside it. In this episode I push back on the glamorisation of independent social work and talk through five things I genuinely miss about being employed: team, learning, practice skills, benefits, and progression. 

If you lead a team or a service, this is also a good listen for understanding what actually keeps social workers engaged and staying. 

Sponsored by Collaborate HR Consultancy. 

https://collaboratehr.co.uk/

This week I've been watching the Lindsey Clancy trial, and I couldn't stop thinking about what it reveals about giving evidence, professional credibility, and how quickly a badly placed comma or a defensive answer can unravel someone's testimony.

But this episode isn't really about the trial. It's about something new social workers ask me constantly: how do I get good at court? How do I prepare for giving evidence?

Here's the truth. Court skills don't start in the witness box. They start at the first knock on the door. If you can't observe, record, and...

In this episode I'm joined by Trevor Elliott MBE, founder of Children We Care For and director of three residential children's homes in London, who became a foster carer at 24. Trevor is one of the most honest voices I've come across in this space and this conversation did not disappoint.

We talk about what foster care actually requires and why a big heart and a spare room is not enough, the government's commitment to 100,000 new foster carers and why quantity without quality worries both of us, why foster carers are underpaid and why we need to stop...

July was heavy. Court, honest feedback on my book, and the quiet weight of watching decisions unfold in family courts. In this honest, veryyyy unfiltered episode I talk through why August needs to be about joy, and four simple, no-cost ways I'm building more of it into my days with several caveats. 

If July left you feeling a bit worn down too, this one's for you.

Plus a reminder about the Practice Pause Library, guided audio built for social workers, for the real moments this job actually throws at you. 

Find it on Pa...

In this episode I'm joined by my friend and colleague Jo Schofield, Director of Immigration Social Work Services and one of the leading experts on age assessment in the UK. Jo has spent her career working with unaccompanied asylum seeking children, acting as an expert witness in court, and developing the SAFE framework - the Social Work Age Estimation Framework - which is changing the way social workers approach this area of practice.

We talk about what age assessment actually is and why it's so politicised, what the SAFE framework does and why it matters, confirmation bias...

In this episode I'm joined by Dez Holmes, Director of Research in Practice for a conversation that went in more directions than either of us planned and was better for it.

We talk about Dez's career and what's driven it, the role Research in Practice has played in social work over the years, what it actually means to be evidence informed in practice rather than just claiming to be, and what we owe each other when we share things online. There's a LinkedIn rant, a surfing metaphor, and some of the most useful reflections I've had in...

In this episode I'm back after a quieter month, off Instagram, in therapy, having acupuncture, and thinking about a lot of things. This one covers the personal and the professional in equal measure.

I'm talking about the naming of social workers in the media following the Preston Davey case, why the way decisions in social work are actually made is so consistently misrepresented, and what I think our response as a profession needs to look like. I'm also getting into the social workers are superheroes narrative and why it worries me, what's been happening with BASW and...

In this episode I'm joined by Sean Monaghan, founder of Safer Now, whose route into safeguarding practice started in a youth centre in North Birmingham and took him through community violence intervention, hospital-based trauma response, and a recurring question: so what? 

We talk about what it actually takes to change practice on the ground, why skills training has to outlast the day it's delivered, the commodification of practice frameworks, and why measuring meaning matters more than hitting KPIs. This is one of those conversations that could have gone on for hours.

If you're interested in t...

Home visits are the main site where social work happens. And yet they are barely mentioned in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 or any version of Working Together before it.

In this episode I'm exploring why this matters, what Harry Ferguson's research tells us about children being invisible on home visits, and why statutory invisibility leads to practice invisibility. I also wonder, in an increasingly virtual world, what happens to the home visit as a skill if we never name it as one?

If you are a social worker wanting practical strategies for home visit...

ACEs - adverse childhood experiences - is one of the most referenced phrases in social work and safeguarding. But how many of us have actually questioned whether we are using it correctly?

In this episode Vicki Shevlin explores why the research behind ACEs is weaker than most people realise, why correlation is not causation and what this means practically for your assessments, your reports and your conversations with other professionals.

If you have referenced ACEs recently in your practice - this episode is worth your time.

For a full deep dive into the...

In this episode I explore one of the most persistent and unhelpful narratives in social work; that there is a hierarchy of practice, and that unless you have done your time in child protection you have not done real social work.

Drawing on my own experience moving from family facing practice to conference chair to independent social worker and trainer, I reflect on the guilt that comes with changing direction, the false divide between academia and practice, the overlooked contribution of adult social work, and why social work needs to see itself as an ecosystem rather than...

In this episode I'm talking about one of the most consistent findings across serious case reviews; the invisible child and giving you one practical thing you can take into your next home visit immediately. Inspired by Harry Ferguson's new book Making Child Protection Work, I'm focusing specifically on direct work with infants and why greeting a child first, even a sleeping baby, matters more than you might think. This isn't about blame or shame. It's about small shifts that make a real difference. When considering whether to wake a sleeping child during a visit, always refer to your local...

 In this episode, I'm reflecting on my own unexpected experience of having a record written about me, not as a social worker, but as a home educating parent. It's a small, almost comedic example, but it stayed with me, and it raises big questions about accuracy, context, and what families actually feel when their words are recorded without them. I'm also sharing my thoughts on what the Families First changes and updated Working Together guidance mean for social workers in practice, and why legislative change without investment in skills is just paperwork with a new name. 

Lets co...

In this episode, I’m joined by Power 2 Prevail to explore what it really means to work with young people, not just around them.

We talk about the power of youth work, how professional hierarchies can silence lived experience, and why “listening” isn’t the same as genuine inclusion.

Together, we explore how care-experienced young people can and should shape training, learning and development, not as a token gesture, but as valued experts in their own lives.

This conversation is about power, voice, and what changes when we take young people seriousl...

Have your home visits started running to two hours… but nothing is actually changing?

In this bite-sized episode, I share a powerful reflection from inside The Social Work Collective Academy following a live masterclass on Staying Connected When Conversations Are Hard.

We talk about:

This isn’t about rushing people.
 It isn’t about being rigid.

It’s about c...

January doesn’t need to be a fresh start on the 1st and social work doesn’t get easier when we set ourselves (and families) impossible expectations.

In this episode, I’m sharing my phrase for the year - one thing at a time - and why it matters for attention, overwhelm, and realistic planning (in practice and in life). 

I also share what I’ve been reading lately, how it’s shaping my training, and I introduce an exciting new addition inside the Social Work Collective Academy: the Practice Pause Library: short, g...

This episode was unplanned but necessary.

After receiving my Spotify Wrapped for the podcast, I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks: many listeners of Social Work Sorted were also listening to summaries of The Let Them Theory.

In this episode, I unpack why the idea of “just letting them” doesn’t sit comfortably with me as a social worker, an advocate, or a human living in a collective world. While self-help narratives often encourage us to stop people-pleasing and focus inward, I explore how this can quickly slide into passivity, hyper-individualisation, and a quiet...

In this episode, I’m talking honestly about Christmas – both as a person and as a social worker. I share my own complicated relationship with the festive season, from hypervigilant childhood Decembers to slowly reclaiming pockets of joy with my own children (yes, including my very extra homemade advent calendar).

Then we look at Christmas in practice: how to protect your own energy in December, set realistic non-negotiables, and gently let go of the traditions and expectations that are stressing you out. I’ll also walk you through some practical reflections for the children and families you work w...

 In this episode, I’m talking directly to Designated Safeguarding Leads about supervision – what it is, what it isn’t, and why you absolutely need it in your role.
 I share three key things every DSL needs to know about supervision, including the difference between emotional containment and therapy, why you don’t need someone to “tell you what to do”, and why supervision won’t always feel comfortable (in the best possible way).

 If you’re a DSL with no supervision, or you’re not sure your current support is right for you, this episode will give you...

In this week’s episode, I’m sharing a story that unfolded in my local park — one of those moments where instinct, practice experience, and humanity collided.

After intervening in what appeared to be a domestically abusive situation, I walked away thinking about the one message every child, every adult, and every social worker needs to hear more often:
“It’s not your fault.”

In this episode, I talk about:
 • Why this message matters more than we realise
 • How systems, culture and upbringing shape our silence
 • The tension between speaking up vs stayin...

Why are we still doing things for Ofsted?

 Why do we hear, “Make sure your case notes are up to date — for Ofsted”?

In this episode, I explore how inspection culture shapes the way we work and how it can create fear instead of reflection. With grounded takeaways for directors, managers, and practitioners, this episode looks at how we can rebuild calm, confidence, and purpose within our organisations.

Join me for the live Managing Ofsted, Regulation & Change masterclass  free for members of The Social Work Collective Academy.

 🗓️ Tuesday 9th De...

I recently attending 2 conferences that didn't feel like conferences at all. The Contextual Safeguarding Conference in Durham and the Trauma Informed Consultancy Services Conference in Manchester (mini celebration for events that take place outside of London!).

I wanted to share all my reflections with you, messy, unedited, reading from my notes and very clearly still on a high from being with likeminded people, learning and very much seeing hope in action. 

If you wanted to go to the conferences and couldn't, listen to hear the highlights, and if you are feeling dejected or disillusioned, listen a...

This might be the most important episode I’ve ever shared.

It’s about a cupboard — but really, it’s about care, action, and what it means to truly learn as a social worker.

I tell the story of a messy cupboard in my first job, how clearing it shaped the way I’ve approached learning ever since, and why I believe training isn’t something you can just “do” to people.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes good social work training work, or why I care so deeply about The Social Work Collective Ac...

In this episode, I sit down with the Social Work Academy team at Lancashire County Council to talk about how they support newly qualified social workers during their ASYE year. We explore the induction process, the challenges new practitioners face, and the role of ongoing learning and reflective practice. I also share insights from my own contribution to their ASYE Induction Programme, where I deliver a dedicated session on communication skills — a cornerstone of effective social work practice.

Whether you’re a new social worker, an academy lead, or a team manager, this conversation gives a behind-the-scenes look...

 Joining a new social work team can be exciting — and daunting. In this episode, I share practical tips for starting strong: how to remember you bring valuable life and learning experience, how to observe and learn from your team’s culture, and how to protect the work habits and boundaries that will help you thrive for years to come. 

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

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 Shadowing is one of the best ways to build your confidence and skills as a new social worker — but only if you approach it the right way. In this episode, I share practical tips on how to ask to shadow without feeling like a nuisance, why being specific gets better results, how to observe actively (not passively), and why it’s essential to speak up if you’re not getting opportunities. 

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign...

 We talk a lot about skills in social work inductions — assessments, visits, meetings, communication — but there’s more to thriving in your ASYE than ticking off a skills checklist. In this episode, I share the “alternative induction”: the home-life habits, organisation tips, and support systems that will help you manage stress and set yourself up for success in your first year. 

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Listen to Social Wo...

 From postmodern art to AI, I’m exploring how technology warps our sense of speed — and why that matters in social work. In this episode, I share how unrealistic timescales harm families, shape new social workers’ expectations, and leave us feeling like we’re “not moving fast enough.” It’s a reminder that learning, change, and growth take time — and that’s okay. 

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Listen to Social...

With so many books, podcasts, and resources out there for newly qualified social workers, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you even start. In this episode, I’m sharing the essential recommendations I’d give if we were sitting down over a cuppa — the ones worth your time, money, and headspace in your ASYE year. From anti-racist practice to child protection wisdom, and from “messy” social work memoirs to self-care reads, these are the resources that will actually help you grow in confidence, competence, and calm.

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me...

 After a two-and-a-half week break, I’m back on the podcast with an honest catch-up — and a list of my recent “failures.” From not getting shortlisted for an award to forgetting suncream, I’m sharing how reframing failure has been a game changer for me, both in social work and life. Whether you’re newly qualified or years into practice, this is your reminder that failing means you’ve tried — and that’s something to be proud of. 

Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email...

If you’ve ever wondered exactly what The Social Work Collective Academy is and how it can help you as a newly qualified social worker (or someone supporting them), this episode is for you.

I’m taking you inside the Learning Hub — explaining how it works, the gaps it fills in early career training, and the practical tools that will help you feel both competent and confident from day one. Whether you’re about to start your ASYE, currently on placement, or guiding new social workers, you’ll discover how the Academy can become your go-to resource for real-w...

This is for you if you are a newly qualified social worker who has just been allocated their first family to work with. That stomach-drop moment? It's completely normal—and I'm here to walk you through it.

Inside this episode:

In this episode I'm offering a practical, compassionate guide to help newly qualified social workers feel more confident about assessment work—especially child and family assessments.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

I'm also excited to share upcoming ASY...