Note of the Children and Families PSW Network event on 10 May 2023
Your chairs welcomed colleagues to the first in-person network event since the pandemic. Key challenges for the network are thinking about how we measure our impact in demonstrating we are leading change. We deliberately focussed on holding this event in Leeds, in response to PSW feedback about the accessibility of previous network meetings, which predominantly have been in the south of the country.
Exploring key issues for PSWs with the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families
Isabelle Trowler, Chief Social Worker, led a session considering the key issues for PSWs, the impacts and challenges of the care review and national safeguarding review implementation plans and our developing role in leading within the sector.
An overview of the Tackling Child Exploitation Practice Principles
Dez Holmes, Research in Practice Director, gave an overview and introduction to the Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Practice Principles. These are particularly relevant to us as PSWs within our role and influence as system leaders.
Anti-racist practice
During the afternoon’s anti-racist practice session the group had some thoughtful and challenging discussions about the importance of leadership in relation to anti-racist practice. Antonia Ogundayisi (Service Manager for anti-racist practice at Essex County Council) posed 7 key questions for the network to consider which were:
- Would you be described as an anti-racist leader?
- How would black and global majority staff describe you? What would they say?
- What tangible difference have you made in your position in relation to racial equity and inclusion?
- How have you amplified the voices of those that are racially oppressed?
- How have you contributed to practice development?
- What governance do you provide to the work of anti-racism in your local authority?
- And the final question, which I think is most profound of them all - How much do you care?
This was an intentional development of the questions ‘what next’ and ‘when’ regarding anti-racism in social work, and reflects the frustrations and opportunities explored within the recent World Social Work Day webinar on anti-racism: 'platitudes, proximity and progress'. It leaves us as PSWs with a continuing challenge to develop and evidence actions that work for change, which the group expressed further commitment and enthusiasm to build impetus, locally, regionally and nationally.