Latest News from Workforce Development

Social Workers as Human Rights Defenders Webinar

Co-organised by Durham University’s Centre for Social Justice and Community Action (CSJCA) and Human Rights and Public Law Centre (HRPLC), this webinar will explore the role of social workers in the defence of rights and the risks and challenges facing them. We are pleased to have invited Professor Vasilios Ioakimidis and Dr Kostis Roussos to give a talk on their project which develops a database to document the violence and abuse carried out against social workers globally. Mr Hei Chow, Programme Manager of the UK Welcome Refugees, will offer a unique perspective as a social worker from Hong Kong after experiencing the 2019 protests.

The presentations are as follows:

Social Workers as Human Rights Defenders

• Professor Vasilios Ioakimidis (Chair, IFSW Global Education Commission, Head of Department, Social Work School of Administrative, Economic & Social Sciences, University of West Attica)
• Dr Kostis Roussos (Director of Research, School of Health & Social Care, University of Essex)

Social Workers often stand at the frontline of human rights advocacy, addressing social injustices while facing significant personal and professional risks. This presentation explores the increasing dangers faced by social workers globally, including persecution, violence, and even death, as they defend the rights of the most vulnerable.

Drawing on data from a recent global study, we will discuss the alarming rise in incidents of abuse and targeted attacks on social workers in various contexts, including authoritarian regimes, conflict zones, and neoliberal welfare states. This session aims to amplify the voices of those who risk their safety for social justice and to advocate for better protections for social workers worldwide.

Hong Kong Social Workers Facing the Authoritarian Regime

• Mr Hei Chow Programme Manager, UK Welcomes Refugees

Hong Kong social workers provided humanitarian aid and emotional support during the recent pro-democracy movements, and they were also convicted of rioting and in many cases given heavy sentences. The Hong Kong government further pressured the Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board to deregister social workers who are prosecuted for criminal offences including offences under the newly implemented National Security Law. Due to the visibility of social workers in social movements, even social workers who have fled the city are targeted by the Hong Kong government which imposes additional barriers for these social workers to renew their Hong Kong registration hence more challenging professional conversion in the host country.

• Discussant: Dr Sui-Ting Kong, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
• Chair: Dr Alice Nah, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology

This event will take place online on Thursday 20 March 2025 from 1.00-2.00pm 

To register click on: Eventbrite [external website]

Experts in Practice

Experts in Practice is an innovative and unique programme that supports the development and progression of staff. It enables us to create bespoke, research driven and needs led training and development programmes and resources for Darlington.

In partnership with the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) and Sunderland University, Darlington People Group train and support staff to become Social Care Research Ambassadors (SCRA), or as we call them here in Darlington, ‘Experts in Practice’. Our programme is different to any other SCRA programme in the country and has been cited as national good practice, with the NIHR promoting our ‘Experts in Practice’ approach to other Local Authorities across the country.

• What is ‘Experts in Practice’? – in Darlington we recognise that we have some extremely skilled and capable staff members who with guidance and support, help us to create and deliver their expert knowledge and skills to others. Many of these staff members have particular areas of practice interest, that with a little training, fine tuning and quality assuring are turned into an amazing and informative training programmes for others. ‘Experts in Practice’ is about recognising, enhancing and delivering that expertise to others through the development of internal training resources.
• Why ‘Experts in Practice’? – whilst providing bespoke, research led programmes of training and resources, Experts in Practice supports a number of key identified areas of need, including; recruitment and retention of staff, progression, staff feeling supported and valued, job satisfaction and ownership (including a sense of responsibility) and budget savings.
• What do Experts in Practice produce? – our Experts in Practice develop research led training programmes and resources for the workforce, e.g. Experts In Practice - Self Neglect [external website]
• Who can be an ‘Expert in Practice’? – a real positive in terms of who can be an ‘Expert in Practice’ is that, essentially any member of staff could potentially take up the role. Interest, expertise, and knowledge in a particular area of need, along with the support of internal leadership and management regarding the development and delivery of that specific area are key to staff becoming an ‘Expert in Practice’.

• EXIP Briefing - Autism in Older Adults

Skills for Care Online Practice Sessions

During January & February 2025, Skills for Care are hosting a series of online community of practice sessions to increase digital confidence & technology skills for Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, & Principal Occupational Therapists & Principal Social Workers who work in Adult Social Care. 

The topics that will be covered are: 

What does Artificial Intelligence (AI) mean to me? 

We’ll explore what artificial intelligence (AI) is, the opportunities which it offers & the ethical considerations around its use. We’ll share real life case studies where AI is already in use in social care. 

Digital Leadership 

Find out what we mean by 'digital leadership' and why it’s important. We’ll discuss the role of digital champions in the workplace & the role of dedicated TEC teams, as well as continuous professional development & workplace wellbeing. 

The Internet of Things 

From smart fridges to smart phones, radar sensors to robot vacuum cleaners, our houses are filled with technologies called the internet of things (IoT). The applications for IoT in social care are numerous. In this practical session we’ll look at case studies of how this technology is being used & how to have conversations with the people you support about whether this technology is right for them. 

For more information & dates please click on the following link: Skills for Care [external website]

DBC Staff - please inform Workforce Development if you book a place.

Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Training

CAMHS run a rolling programme of training including the following awareness raising sessions:

• Anxiety, Worries, Fears & Phobias
• Anxious About School
• Attachment Difficulties
• Attentional Difficulties
• Childhood Trauma & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)
• Deliberate Self Harm
• Eating Difficulties
• Emotional Wellbeing & Communication
• Low Mood & Depression
• Social & Communication Difficulties

For more information click on the following link: Training Directory

Skills for Care Tools, Resources & E-Learning Modules

Skills for Care offer a range of tools, resources & e-learning modules on various care topics including:

• Oral Health
• Equality & Diversity
• Person Centred Approaches in Health & Care 
• Modern Slavery
• Infection Prevention & Control
• Culturally Appropriate Care
• Mental Health
• End of Life Care
• Medication
• Pressure Ulcers
• Dementia
• Learning Disability
• Mental Capacity Act
• Supporting People with Challenging or Distressed Behaviour
• Learning Disability & Autism
• Autism

For more information click on the following link: Skills for Care Website [external website]