Roddy Samson, Kate Burton and Karen Carrick. A roundtable discussion on the embedding of welfare advisers in health and social care services, as an effective response to the impact of welfare reform.

The discussion involved Kate Burton, Public Health Practitioner at Scottish Public Health Network; Roddy Samson, Welfare Advice Service Facilitator at the Improvement Service; and Karen Carrick, Project Manager at the Improvement Service.

They discuss what a welfare adviser is, and detail the embedded model - its effectiveness, challenges and plans for it going forward.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Talking Social Work was an event held on 13 September 2018 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 - to celebrate, reflect on the journey so far and look to the future.

Claire Ferrier, social worker with Perth and Kinross Council within the Adult Care Team talks about the risk of not demonstrating care, the risk of not demonstrating trust and the culture of social work and relationships with service users.

Claire won the Jo Campling Memorial essay prize from the journal of Ethics and Social Welfare. The award was for Claire's practice study on 'risk' in social work which was subsequently published in the journal.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Talking Social Work was an event held on 13 September 2018 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 - to celebrate, reflect on the journey so far and look to the future.

Jane Martin, Chief Social Work Officer at Dundee City Council reflects on her social work journey, the changes she's seen and her views of the future. Jane is a qualified social worker with over 35 years experience, mainly within children's services and community justice, having worked mostly in Fife and Dundee.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Talking Social Work was an event held on 13 September 2018 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 - to celebrate, reflect on the journey so far and look to the future.

Colin Turbett, qualified as a social worker in 1978 and spent the next 37 years in urban and rural front line fieldwork settings in the west of Scotland, finishing his career as a children and family team manager in North Ayrshire.

He is the author of the recent publication, Community social work in Scotland: a critical history 50 years after the Social Work Scotland Act 1968. He reflects on social work work from the early 1960s to the present day.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Iriss attended the Social Pedagogy Professional Association's conference Growing up, growing old and staying well in Edinburgh on 28 September 2018.

We spoke to a number of academics and practitioners about social pedagogy and the value it brings to practice.

These included Mark Smith, Professor of Social Work at the University of Dundee; Lotte Harbo, Social Professor at VIA University College in Denmark; Gabriel Eichsteller from ThemPra Social Pedagogy; Gemma Campbell, a practitioner at Kibble Education and Care Centre; and Graham McPheat, Senior Teaching Fellow in Social Work at the University of Strathclyde.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

On 24 October, Iriss attended Navigating Troubled Waters: Women in social work education in Scotland seminar, where we heard from Emeritus Professor Viv Cree and Dr Mary Mitchell about a study funded by the Carnegie UK Trust, which began with the realisation that women in the academy fare less well than men across all disciplines: they are less likely to be promoted, they earn less pay, and they are much less likely to become professors.

What this means for the discipline of social work education is explored.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government that is tasked with managing a number of devolved benefits to improve the lives of Scottish people.

These benefits include pregnancy and baby payment, Carers' Allowance, disability benefit and housing and heating support.

Michael McEwan spoke to Rachael McKechnie about Social Security Scotland's work to date and its ambitions for the future.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Irina McLean, Project Leader with NHS Research Scotland Management Team, is currently leading the development of a Research Governance Framework (RGF) which will meet the needs of Scotland’s Social Care Services employers, staff, and service users and their families.

The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 sets the context for the integration of adult health and social care within Scotland. Underpinning the introduction of the Act was a commitment to ensure the consistent provision of quality, sustainable care services for the increasing numbers of people in Scotland who need joined-up support and care.

The Scottish Government recognises that for successful reform and effective integration of health and social care sectors collective ethical and accountable research practices are required.

The new RGF is currently being defined through a process of engagement.

In this episode, Irina tells us more about the work she is doing. If you would like to follow up with Irina about the RGF or speak to her about research you're involved in, you can contact her direct at: irina.mclean@nrs.org.uk.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

On 16 September 2019, Iriss attended the launch of the SSSC's Careers in Care website which was created to highlight the wide variety of career opportunities available in the sector.

The resource demonstrates how people can build a career working with children and young people, in social services and healthcare settings, or as a social worker.

We spoke to social services practitioners who shared their career stories for use on the website.

In this second episode of three, Sarah, Gillian and Deborah, who work in various adult care settings, tell us about their journeys into and experiences of the profession.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

On 16 September 2019, Iriss attended the launch of the SSSC's Careers in Care website which was created to highlight the wide variety of career opportunities available in the sector.

The resource demonstrates how people can build a career working with children and young people, in social services and healthcare settings, or as a social worker.

We spoke to social services practitioners who shared their career stories for use on the website. 

In this final episode of three, we hear from Rowena McIntosh, a social worker; John McVeigh, an academic; and John Stewart, an inspector with the Care Inspectorate, who talk about their journeys into the profession and the skills required to be a social worker.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

'There’s More to Care than Caring' is a Scottish Government-led adult social care recruitment campaign which was launched in January 2020. It aims to encourage people to take up a career in care.

Michelle from Iriss had a conversation with Lorraine Gray, Chief Executive of SSSC, about the purpose of the campaign, the importance of adult social care work and how people can get involved in promoting the campaign.

Campaign website: https://caretocare.scot/

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Is use of language something you carefully consider as a social worker?

And is language important to social work practice?

Sara Hitchin, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Stirling certainly thinks so and has written an article about it for the Scottish Organisation for Practice Teaching or Scopt.

Michelle from Iriss went along to University of Stirling to have a conversation with her about the importance of language and its relationship to social work values.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

read more

read more

read more

Is this the reason that Albert Turkey keeps having fatals??

I know I wrote in several places last year that it must be the most dangerous festival on earth.

This year it has done nothing to dispel the myth.

But I just came across this.

Oct 12, 2008 (Albuquerque Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX)

Maryann Myers flew in from Michigan just to see the fabled balloons she had heard so much about. But all she got to see Saturday morning were flames shooting from a propane tank and some people flying kites.
"We're very disappointed," she said.

Saturday's mass ascension was canceled due to wind, leaving a restless weekend crowd milling around the park seeking a diversion -- there's not much to see at a balloon festival sans balloons.

But organizers and pilots made every effort to appease the masses. Before the sun rose, several propane tanks belched fire into the darkness, surrounded by appreciative crowds.

Myers was standing near one such tank with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter Saturday morning, deciding what to do with the rest of their day. They planned to take in some of the booths at fiesta, visit the balloon museum and were hopeful that some balloons might inflate but stay grounded.

"We'll try and salvage the day," said Myers' daughterin-law Camely Myers, of Albuquerque. She said she has other activities planned for the weekend visit, but nothing that rivals the mass ascension.

"This was supposed to be the highlight," she said.

As the sky grew lighter and the crowd thinned, an enormous sheet of balloon material became a playground for the remaining children. Held near the ground by organizers at each corner, the sheet flapped in the wind as kids ducked underneath and played beneath its folds.

Colby Boudet, 4, was having fun playing under the sheet, but he still hadn't seen what he came for. Boudet's family flew in from Illinois on Friday for a trip they've been planning for nearly a year.

"We haven't seen a balloon yet," said Colby's father, Robert Boudet. But despite the disappointment, he said his son was finding ways to have fun anyway.

"He's having a good time collecting the trading cards," he said. "He loves balloons; that's his No. 1 thing."

Although several teams tried to inflate their balloons on the ground, their efforts were stymied by the winds. The Wells Fargo stagecoach made perhaps the most valiant effort but had to be deflated before it fully took shape.

The morning's only silver lining was that the same wind that canceled the ascension provided excellent kite-flying weather.

Colbie Boyd, 3, was flying a kite with her grandmother Saturday and seemed unconcerned about the cancelation. Her parents are pilots who live in Albuquerque, so there is no shortage of balloons in her world.

"Last Saturday was beautiful," said her grandmother, Jan Alford. Just then, though, Boyd let go of her fish-shaped kite, and Alford had to go running after it.

A farewell mass ascension is scheduled for 7 a.m. today, weather permitting. Inside

The balloon pilot injured in Friday's crash that killed another man remained in critical condition Saturday.

Now if that is not pouring the pressure on I'm not sure what is.

Is the Albert Turkey festival for balloonists or the public watching??? If it has turned into an event to please the masses then something is out of balance.

It amazes me that a local newspaper was not more sympathetic to high winds and their associated problems after last Fridays accident.

Looks like at Albert Turkey its less than a 1/1000 chance of death or serious injury when the flying field is opened.

Just being the biggest does not make an event the best.

But then thats America for ya all.

On a much brighter note, the 2010 Gordon Bennett coming to the UK, thats fantastic well done Jon and David.

Report 69 published by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in November 2014. This research, commissioned by the Department of Health (DH), set out to identify what could be learned about current policy and practice in self-neglect, experienced as a highly challenging aspect of contemporary adult social care.

BASW is the largest professional association for social work in the UK, with offices in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. BASW promote the best possible social work services for all people who may need them, while also securing the well being of social workers.

We've been seeing these Bernie Sanders memes practically everywhere on the internet lately, and they don't appear to be stopping any time soon! Here's our last gallery in case you missed 'em. 

We sincerely hope you're not sick of political memes yet, because we've still got far to go before the 2020 presidential elections, so buckle up!

At long last - enjoy our post Deathly Hallows Part 2 episode of PotterCast recorded live at LeakyCon FEATURING EVANNA LYNCH (Luna Lovegood) and SCARLETT BYRNE (Pansy Parkinson) and many of YOUR questions about the film!

Episode 242 — Deathly Hallows Part 2 Live At LeakyCon!

Find the latest episode and explore PotterCast interviews, discussions and more at PotterCast.com

Visit the-leaky-cauldron.org for the latest and greatest from Harry Potter's Wizard World.

We have a special episode for you today: a full episode of "Harry Potter and the Sacred Text," a podcast you should really check out. Melissa was a guest on one of their shows, and speaks about chance, J.K. Rowling, and the Harry Potter fandom. Then hang with Vanessa and Casper as they break down "The Dream" chapter from Goblet of Fire!

Thanks to our friends at HPatSS for the collaboration - and we can't wait to have them on PotterCast!

We are isolating together for this freewheeling hour of silliness where we take your Harry Potter questions and have some fun.

ALSO, SOME NEWS: Now there are TWO Patreons: One for just PotterCast, one for Roll 9 3/4 and all the other Mischief Media shows. BOTH get you access to our discord, where there are Harry Potter, gaming, television, movies. cooking, crafting, and a ton of other amazing conversations happening. PLUS lots of amazing bonus content updated weekly.

PotterCast's Patreon
Mischief Media Patreon

Also visit Mischief Merch!  We have so much cool swag there.

Also, there is a LOT of content to entertain you on your quarantine on the Mischief twitch channel — and there will be PotterCast streaming there soon. Watch the hashtag #MischiefFromHome for more!

Professor Lord Patel of Bradford OBE, former chair of the Mental Health Act Commission, makes the case for a radical new report that offers practical solutions to breaking integration barriers.

If you live in the Fife area we have news of an event which will showcase career opportunitie

Training to help health and social care professionals better understand #dementia https://t.co/E8SI7fFJlV @uobnews https://t.co/dFqcCae2tp

Social Care Worker (x2) - Crookston Care Home and Day Centre: Location: Tranent; Rate: £11.05 - £12... https://t.co/uK9f06XYCS #mjsjobs

Stream Taking the #RightApproach with the Health and Social Care Alliance by SCVO from desktop or your mobile device

Increasing demand “may impact negatively” on Angus social work services unless it is matched by greater resources. That’s the warning sounded by Angus Council’s chief social work officer Tim Armstrong.

Find out about the work Audit Scotland is doing on health and social care services.

Dunfermline,15th September. An event encouraging more people to consider working in social care and support.

A new tax is urgently needed to fund the NHS and social care system, according to a Tory docto

https://t.co/tjwD5HQWM4 Valuing retirement #housing: explores economic effects of specialist housing 4 #olderpeople Strategic Society Centre

                          Schoolhouses might be closed but “school” is not.   As parents and caregivers balance working at home

When: Mon Dec 14, 2015

Where: British Library, British Library Conference Centre, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
Event Status: confirmed
Event Description: SRA annual conference bringing together social researchers from all sectors and disciplines to share knowledge and ideas. For further information, please visit the event website

When: Wed Mar 2, 2016

Where: Edinburgh (TBC)
Event Status: confirmed
Event Description: Delegates will discuss the ways in which the transition is impacting on the health and social care workforce, public health improvement and the third and independent sectors. Areas for discussion include: -Progress on the integration process - including case studies outlining integration in practice - and wider policy priorities beyond April 2016 - Integration and primary care - including discussion on the ways in which to tailor resources efficiently to meet local population needs - Next steps for public health improvement in Scotland and priorities for developing mental health services - Addressing barriers to the adoption of technology enabled care - Responding to challenges facing social care and assessment of the relationship between secondary and social care - Developing care standards in Scotland For further information, please visit the event website

When: Mon Feb 8, 2016

Where: Stirling Court Hotel, University of Stirling
Event Status: confirmed
Event Description: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thinking-of-the-future-innovations-and-developments-for-social-work-practice-tickets-19249165773

There is much to fear, especially for minority and young voters, with a switch to all-mail voting — unless our system is fixed. Palast and Fox discuss the challenges our democracy faces during the coronavirus pandemic and what we need to do to

The post Palast on Staying Home with Josh Fox: Let voters choose the politicians not other way around appeared first on Greg Palast.

We bowed our heads in prayer to mourn yet another loss. It was the third murder in a week. The police captain called a meeting together to develop collaborative alternatives to enforcement so the mostly Black and Latino civilian volunteers could get more involved in promoting crime control. Lakeside, where I was conducting research, is […]

Who’s afraid of a global pandemic? We all are, at the moment. But like so many other forms of fear, concern about medical issues is much more acute for people in precarious and vulnerable social positions. The privileged—particularly those who are white and upper class—can more afford not to be preoccupied with health and medical […]

With wildfire season already starting in some regions of the United States and around the corner in others, now is the time to start thinking about your physical and financial preparedness.  To help you be better informed, NFPA is hosting two free

On May 4, 2011, the first organized "Star Wars" Day celebration happened in Toronto. See how it happened in our On This Day in Space video series!

"Thor: Love and Thunder" writer/director Taika Waititi has signed on to write and direct a "Star Wars" film.

Studio Precht has turned the rules of social distancing into a design guideline for Parc de la Distance, an innovative park proposal that ensures all visitors will be separated at least 6 feet from one another at all times. Created in the shape of a fingerprint with spiraling ridges represented by tall hedge rows, the conceptual park takes inspiration from both French baroque gardens and Japanese Zen gardens. The hedge-lined paths slowly spiral toward a center, where fountains are located.[...]