Care to chat? A podcast from the Northern Ireland Social Care Council

• ‘Recognising our worth’ – new developments in social care career progression

  The professionals who work in social care come from a wide range of backgrounds and work in a range of different settings which can be challenging and demanding. It is also true to say that there is an increasing complexity in the needs of the people they support. This means ensuring there is a well-led, skilled and valued social care workforce in place, is even more important.In this week’s ‘Care to chat?’ podcast we hear about what is happening to support this right now in Northern Ireland with significant developments underway, including the Department for Health’s (DoH) new Social Care Workforce Strategy and the Care in Practice (CiP) Framework. Dr Wendy Austin MBE hears from Ricy D’Cruz, a Care Assistant with Macklin Care Homes, Norah Christie, Head of Operations at Praxis Care, Mervyn Bothwell, a Professional Adviser with the Social Care Council and Jane McMillan, who is a Professional Social Work Officer, Office of Social Services at the Department of Health. They talk about their experiences and understanding of the new Care in Practice Framework (first of its kind) which has been designed to support social care practitioners to develop professionally by providing two interlinked pathways and the creation of a brand-new level 2 qualification. These reforms are a good news story of transformation taking place across health and social care.

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• A conversation about caring

  No two carers are the same or are the needs of any one person receiving care the same.   Following on from the launch of the ‘Social Care – Making a difference’ campaign launch last week during Carers week (9-15 June), on the latest episode of the ‘Care to chat?’ podcast, we are privileged to have an authentic conversation piecing together the experience of carers and social care. We welcome Gerard McWilliams, from the Social Care Council’s Participation Partnership, Liam Dorrian a social care practitioner Positive Futures and a carer for this family, Áine Magee, Stratagem NI (formerly of Carers NI) and Agnes Lunny, Chief Executive, Positive Futures. They sit down with our host Dr Wendy Austin MBE, to talk about the role, challenges and experiences of Northern Ireland’s 220,000 unpaid carers, according to 2021 Census, as part of social care.  They explore the incredible diversity of carers across Northern Ireland. Carers come from all walks of life, and though their carer role and challenges may differ, they share a common theme of resilience, dedication, and compassion.  

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• 'Making a difference for social work education' - The Practice Teacher role in social work

  How can a social work student gain a rich learning experience? And what role do social workers play in training tomorrow's social work professionals?In this week’s ‘Care to chat?’ podcast we hear about this from Dr Denise McDermott, Subject Lead in Social Work, Ulster University, Sarah McCarthy Practice Teacher and social worker with Extern, Ellen Neill a social worker with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and a student Practice Teacher, and social work student Emily Hill. So, what is practice teaching and what are the benefits it brings to those who are practice teachers and those who are getting support form a Practice Teacher as part of their learning journey? In this week’s ‘Care to chat?’ podcast we hear about this from Dr Denise McDermott, Subject Lead in Social Work, Ulster University, Sarah McCarthy Practice Teacher and social worker with Extern, Ellen Neill a social worker with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and a student Practice Teacher, and social work student Emily Hill. Interested in becoming a practice teacher? If you are a social worker or organisation who employs social workers, practice teaching could be something worth considering.

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• Precious memories – the voice of social work in memory and dementia services

  Tune in on Wednesday 21 May 2025 for the launch of the third season of our popular Social Care Council ‘Care to chat’ podcast with Dr Wendy Austin MBE returning as host to help tell stories important to the social work and social care workforce.   Ever feel a bit forgetful? In our first episode of 2025, we delve into the world of dementia care and memory services and involves input from social workers and those with lived experience, all experts in the impact of dementia and how to support people and their families.  This episode features social workers from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Jenny Magee, Lead Social Worker for Memory services, Lisa Marley, Memory Clinic Manager, Amy Morgan, Newry and Mourne Memory Service and Roisin Donnelly, who is a carer for her mum who lives with dementia. Despite the challenges, this episode offers a heartfelt glimpse into the daily efforts of social workers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of those affected by dementia. 

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• Talking about a child’s journey to adolescence and beyond

  Helping children and young people thrive – as they say it can take a village. In this final episode in the ‘Care to chat’ 2024 podcast series we are talking childhood development and sharing practical advice and ideas for supporting children and young people to improve outcomes for them and their families. In particular a number of resources available on the Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s Learning Zone which aim to support and build knowledge, skills and confidence for those social work professionals and others navigating the early childhood and adolescence development landscape.  Our host hosted by Dr Wendy Austin MBE speaks to experienced social work professional and academic Mary McColgan, Emerita Professor of Social Work at Ulster, and Laura Durkan, Social Work Student who is entering her final year at Belfast Met, who has had experience working with children and young people before she started to study social work.  This episode focusses on what are some of the resources available to support social work practice in child development and how they can be used in their practice, with a new resource now available.   Are you interested in child development?   Whether you are a social worker, social work student, a professional working in education, youth and community work, early years/childcare, health and social care or a parent/care giver, or a young person yourself, you can access a number of resources about this on the Social Care Council’s Learning Zone.  ‘Care to chat?’ will return with lots more important conversations in social care and social work in 2024. Have an idea for a future episode? Contact us on [email protected] with your suggestions

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