Social Work Scotland Annual Conference Report 2019

Events

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Speakers in order of appearance

  • Jeane Freeman MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport
  • Panel: Cllr Stuart Currie (COSLA), Andy Kerr and Julie-Ann Smith from the People-Led Policy Panel, Deirdre Henderson from Inclusion Scotland
  • Kathryn Lindsay, President of Social Work Scotland
  • Professor Brid Featherstone, University of Huddersfield
  • Jon Patrick, Consultant Psychiatrist, NHS State Hospital
  • Juliet Harris, Director, Together, and
  • Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland
  • Keith Gardner, Head of Analysis and Improvement, Community Justice Scotland
  • Lorraine Gray, Chief Executive, SSSC and
  • Peter Macleod, Chief Executive, Care Inspectorate
  • Graham Leicester, Director, International Futures Forum
  • Joanna Macdonald, Chief Officer, Argyll and Bute HSCP and Chair of Social Work Scotland Adult Social Care Standing Committee

Day 1: 12 June 2019

Morning speakers

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman jointly announced the programme for adult social care and support reform with Stuart Currie, COSLA’s Health and Social Care spokesperson. She then answered questions with a panel featuring Cllr Stuart Currie from COSLA, Andy Kerr and Julie-Ann Smith from the People-Led Policy Panel, and facilitated by Deirdre Henderson from Inclusion Scotland.

Incoming President of Social Work Scotland and Chief Social Work Officer of Angus Council, Kathryn Lindsay then welcomed people to the conference, and reiterated the values and wider role of social work now and in the future in her inaugural speech.

Professor Brid Featherstone from the University of Huddersfield, joined us to discuss ‘A new social settlement: rights, relationships and recognition’ in a talk which sparked much discussion and thought from delegates.


Workshops on Day 1

Social Worker’s perspectives on the care system: Preliminary findings from research commissioned by the Independent Care Review
Jane Scott, Independent Researcher and Liz Brabender, Independent Care Review

  • No presentation available

Development of the Pause programme in Dundee
Anna Rickards, Pause UK, Derek Aitken, Dundee City Council, and Kathryn Baker, TCA

Human Rights and Social Care: Putting rights into practice
Sam Smith, C-Change Scotland

Co-producing change
Julie Robson and James Younger, East Ayrshire Council, Beth Weaver, Strathclyde University

  • Presentation info to come

Delivering positive change through innovative technology
Brian Brown and Paul O’Donnell, ARMED, Moira Charters, Loreburn Housing Association, Shona Kennedy, Sandra Gyalsten and Barbara Aitken, Dumfries and Galloway HSCP

  • Presentation info to come

Afternoon speakers

Dr Jon Patrick, Consultant Psychiatrist at NHS State Hospital discussed a relational approach to sexual offending based on his experience working in hospitals, with insights that were challenging and thought provoking for social work practice.

https://twitter.com/JulieLusk14/status/1138813996876947457

Juliet Harris, Director at Together and Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, closed the afternoon’s talks with a session on developments in children’s rights.

Day 2: 13 June 2019

Keith Gardner, Head of Analysis and Improvement at Community Justice Scotland, talked about the role of Community Justice Scotland, the complicated landscape of justice and the importance of partnership working – whatever the question, relationships are the answer.

Lorraine Gray, Chief Executive of the SSSC, and Peter Macleod, new Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate talked about their organisations’ role in delivering compassion and kindness alongside excellent quality social work.


Workshops on Day 2

Social Worker’s perspectives on the care system: Preliminary findings from research commissioned by the Independent Care Review
Jane Scott, Independent Researcher and Liz Brabender, Independent Care Review

  • No presentation available

Whatever it takes to keep the family together: Systemic strengths-based approach in working with children and families
Pei-I Yang, Anne Edmonson and Scott Dunbar, Multi-systemic Therapy team at Edinburgh Council

‘The longer you are involved with a family, the more you become part of their lives’: the impact of Shared Lives on older people and those living with dementia
Shared Lives Plus

  • Presentation to come

Recognising and supporting our social workers – how the NQSW supported year and planned social work post-qualifying framework can improve recognition and resilience
Edel Walsh and Pat MacCowan, SSSC

  • Presentation to come

Addressing neglect and enhancing wellbeing through building relationships
Claire Burns, CELCIS

  • Presentation to come

Afternoon session

Graham Leicester, Director of the International Futures Forum (IFF) delivered the afternoon’s keynote speech and spoke about practical hope in powerful times.

Joanna MacDonald, Chief Officer of Argyll and Bute HSCP and Chair of the Social Work Scotland Adult Social Care standing committee closed the conference with an important message for the coming months – ‘Bring your heart into work every day and deliver positivity and joy across adult social care’.

Thank you to everyone who came to this year’s conference, our sponsors and our exhibitors!

Social Work Scotland