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PODCAST

The Relational Social Work Podcast

Matt and Hannah

The Relational Social Work Podcast is aimed at child and family social workers. Relationships are central to social work practice and this podcast focusses on the importance of connection and relationships in social work ‘with’ children, young people and their families, exploring this through meaningful conversations with inspiring leaders from across the sector. The podcast will celebrate excellent and innovative practice ‘with’ amazing children, young people and families, and have honest

society & culture social sciences

All Episodes

60:20

Relational practice, relational leadership and...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/10/04

Send us Fan Mail We’re back for Series 7! This episode was recorded at Coventry’s Children’s and Education Services Conference, where Matt, Hannah and Arin were joined by some of the speakers from the day. Our first guest is Dez Holmes, Director of Research in Practice and Deputy Chief Executive at the National Children’s Bureau, who chats to Hannah and Matt about the importance of relational systems and leadership to enable relational practice. We are then joined by Roselyn and Bayley, two c...

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65:34

Fostering reforms - will these help the drive for...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/08/02

Send us Fan Mail We might be officially out of a season but this episode was too important to wait, so we thought we better have a summer special! This week we are joined by Niketa Sanderson-Gillard (Founder and CEO of Why Care) and Luke Rodgers (Founder and CEO of The Care Leaders) to discuss the Department for Education’s consultation on updating Fostering Standards and Guidance, for which Niketa is the lead drafter and Luke is the engagement lead. This episode explores why fostering reform...

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64:18

Connecting Through Books: BookTrust

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/07/05

Send us Fan Mail It is the last episode of the season, and this week starts with Matt and Hannah reflecting on the social media ban for under 16s. Hannah and Matt are then joined by Bridget Blanchard (BookTrust’s Proposition Development Manager), Emma Norry (Author) and Debbie (Kinship Carer). This episode explores how reading with children can build connection, the importance of representation in books, and what BookTrust do as an organisation to support more adults and children to read toge...

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55:38

Family Justice - Change is Possible: Lisa Harker

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/06/28

Send us Fan Mail This week Hannah and Matt are joined by Lisa Harker, Director at Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. This episode explores innovation and change in family justice. Discussions focus on families who experience public and private proceedings, child focussed courts, and the disproportionate representation of children from the global majority subject to care proceedings. Thank you for listening to The Relational Social Work Podcast. We are always interested to learn what you tho...

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69:36

Care Experienced Social Workers: Kyla Chandler and...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/06/21

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Matt and Hannah are joined by Kyla Chandler (Co-Chair, the Association of Care Experienced Social Workers) and Mike Starr (one of the founding members of the Association of Care Experienced Social Workers). This episode explores why the Association of Care Experienced Social Workers was formed. We discuss the dual identity of care experienced and social worker, and some of the complexities, nuances and paradoxes that this brings. Conversations explore stigma, ...

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62:07

Family Courts - ethical dilemmas with no easy answer:...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/06/14

Send us Fan Mail This episode starts with Hannah and Matt discussing the recent Family Finding announcement from the Department of Education. Care experienced social worker and previous podcast guest, Jonny Hoyle, then drops us a message about the importance of relationships for children in care, and keeping brothers and sisters together. Matt and Hannah are then joined by Lorraine Cavanagh KC, Barrister and Head of the Family Group at St John’s Buildings. This episode explores th...

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62:23

Families First Reforms: Chris Heeley, Louise Kelman...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/06/07

Send us Fan Mail Matt and Hannah are joined by Coventry colleagues, Chris Heeley (Strategic Lead and Families First Sponsor, Children’s and Education Services), Louise Kelman (Headteacher and Families First Education Lead) and Kat Blake-Smith (Lead Nurse for Families First). This episode explores the Families First Partnership Programme, what this looks like in Coventry and across the U.K., and what these reforms mean for children, families and professionals. Discussions focus on the importan...

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61:59

The Traitors Special: Roxy Wilson and Judy Wilson

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/05/31

Send us Fan Mail Any long term listeners of The Relational Social Work Podcast will know that Hannah, Matt and Producer Arin love The Traitors so this weeks’ episode is a real treat for us as super fans! Hannah and Matt are joined by mother and daughter, and stars of The Traitors, Judy and Roxy Wilson. Roxy was adopted as a child by Judy, and this episode explores some of Roxy’s experience of being fostered and then being adopted by Judy. Roxy and Judy have used their platform to promot...

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73:14

Poor: Katriona O'Sullivan

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/05/24

Send us Fan Mail This week Hannah and Matt are joined by Professor Katriona O’Sullivan, psychologist and author of her memoirs, ‘Poor’ and ‘Hungry’. This conversation took place on the set of Poor (adapted for theatre) at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry with a live audience. Conversations explore Katriona’s lived experience, and key messages for professionals in relation to working with children and their families growing up in poverty, with a focus on the impact that professionals can have ...

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57:52

Foster Care Fortnight: Sarah Thomas

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/05/17

Send us Fan Mail It’s the second week of Foster Care Fortnight, so this week we are shining a spotlight on fostering. Matt and Hannah are joined by Sarah Thomas, Chief Executive at The Fostering Network. This episode celebrates fostering, exploring innovations in the sector and considers fostering reforms across the U.K, as well as some of the work which Sarah has been doing in Japan in relation to fostering. Fans of the pod will know that we love The Traitors, and for this special episode to...

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43:09

Does the term “permanence” help or hinder outcomes...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/05/10

Send us Fan Mail Following on from last week (if you haven’t listened we would recommend you start there), this week we bring you the second part of the Family Justice Council Debate. This week you will hear questions from those who were at the debate, hosted by Sir Andrew McFarlane, the then President of the Family Justice Council, with our very own Matt, Tom Wilson (1GC Chambers), Dame Annie Hudson, Professor Julie Selwyn CBE (University of Oxford), Cathy Ashley OBE (Family Rights Group), a...

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72:30

Does the term “permanence” help or hinder outcomes...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/05/03

Send us Fan Mail This weeks’ episode is something a bit different from our usual format. From the sunshine of Matt’s garden, Hannah and Matt listen back to the Family Justice Council Debate which Matt was a part of in December. This episode brings you this debate, which was hosted by Sir Andrew McFarlane, the then President of the Family Justice Council, and alongside Matt, Tom Wilson (1GC Chambers), Dame Annie Hudson, Professor Julie Selwyn CBE (University of Oxford), Cathy Ashley OBE (Famil...

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60:37

Putting enduring relationships at the heart of...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/04/26

Send us Fan Mail It’s the first episode of Series 6, and Hannah and Matt kick it off with some football chat before being joined by Jarrod Wheatley (CEO at Professional Individualised Care). This episode explores how Professional Individualised Care has built on work from Germany to approach alternatives to residential care in Australia, bringing experienced professionals from across the sector closer to the care of children, and how enduring, authentic relationships are central to this work....

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54:41

ADCS Presidency - Passing the baton: Rachael Wardell...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/03/29

Send us Fan Mail It’s the final episode of series 5! Hannah and Matt are joined by Rachael Wardell and Ann Graham during the week that Rachael’s ADCS Presidency comes to an end and Ann’s begins. This episode explores what the ADCS has achieved over the past year, and what the focus will be for the year ahead, including discussion about child poverty, reforms and stop and search. Thank you for listening to The Relational Social Work Podcast. We are always interested to learn what you thought o...

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68:54

What does the future of social work look like?: Lisa...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/03/23

Send us Fan Mail This episode was recorded with a live audience at the Social Work Show in Birmingham. Hannah and Matt are joined by Lisa Harris (Director at Birmingham Children’s Trust), Farai Kanengoni (Operational Lead, Coventry Children’s and Education Services), Mike Hayward (Principal Social Worker, Solihull Children’s Services), Kieron White (CEO, Leading AI), and Neil Thompson (social work academic, author and trainer). Together, with the support of our live audience, we discuss what ...

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54:52

A citizen advocacy approach to supporting people with...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/03/16

Send a text The intro for this episode was recorded in week two of Coventry’s Ofsted inspection, and starts with Matt and Hannah’s sleep deprived ramblings. Luckily the interview was recorded pre-Ofsted, and Hannah and Matt are joined by Clare Wightman, CEO, and Mel Smith, Deputy CEO, at Grapevine Coventry and Warwickshire. The episode explores Grapevine’s work, the concept of citizen advocacy and the importance of relationships and connection in the context of working with people with learni...

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43:48

Technology, AI and Family Law: Family Justice Council...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/03/09

Send a text Coventry got the Ofsted call so this episode is a bit different. Matt is with us for the intro, and then handed over the reigns to Hannah and Producer Arin who popped to the Family Justice Council Conference in Birmingham, where the theme was ‘The role of technology and AI in modern family law: opportunities and challenges’. Hannah spoke with Sir Andrew McFarlane (President of the Family Division and Chair of the Family Justice Council), Lisa Harker (Director at the Nuffield Famil...

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60:24

From York With Love: The Care Leaders Summit

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/03/02

Send a text This episode was recorded at The Care Leaders Summit in York. The episode starts with Luke Rodgers, Founder and CEO at The Care Leaders, telling us about The Summit. Hannah and Matt are then joined by Karla George (Founder of The Baloo Project), Rosie Blackett (Director of Pro Alliance Sports), John Golding (Founder of PATH), Lee Weston (Founder of Believe and Achieve), and Tia James (Co-Founder of The Bigin Project) who are all fellows of The Care Leaders Fellowship. The episode ...

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82:00

Making Child Protection Work: Harry Ferguson

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/02/23

Send a text This episode starts with Hannah and Matt talking about reforms to fostering (and caramel lattes). Matt and Hannah are then joined by Harry Ferguson to talk about his latest book, ‘Making Child Protection Work’. The episode explores how over time Harry’s research moved from asking social workers what they do, to immersing himself in social work practice, through ethnographic research, being with social workers in the places where child protection social work happens. Harry shares s...

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67:30

Innovative Practice in Children's Services: West...

The Relational Social Work Podcast ·

2026/02/16

Send a text This episode was recorded at the West Midlands ADCS Network, Innovate and Grow Conference and explores some exciting innovations happening across West Midlands region. The episode is packed full of guests, with Hannah and Matt joined by Sandeep Virk and Lizzie White to tell us a bit about the West Midlands ADCS Network and the Innovate and Grow Conference; Jane Dunne and Sophie Carter speaking about problem solving approaches with Coventry and Warwickshire Family Drug and Alcohol ...

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75 results

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