Mithran Samuel
@mithransamuel.bsky.social
Editor, communitycare.co.uk (social work/social care news and stuff)
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Social Work England pausing changes to education standards, including KSBs. As I argued below, these changes weren’t needed and risk damage. But pausing them now is another slap in the face for HEIs already planning, particularly around apprenticeships.
academic.oup.com/bjsw/article...
academic.oup.com/bjsw/article...
Who asked for this? The curious case of Readiness for Professional Practice in England
This article examines the plans for a proposed new framework for students who are studying to become social workers in England. The framework is called Rea
academic.oup.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Social Work England pausing changes to education standards, including KSBs. As I argued below, these changes weren’t needed and risk damage. But pausing them now is another slap in the face for HEIs already planning, particularly around apprenticeships.
academic.oup.com/bjsw/article...
academic.oup.com/bjsw/article...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
This Insight paper from Iriss provides a timely and essential examination of artificial intelligence in social work practice, with implications for SASW members and Scottish social work more broadly. The research offers both practical guidance and critical analysis.
Read more: buff.ly/ZiPP8kR
Read more: buff.ly/ZiPP8kR
January 14, 2026 at 2:43 PM
This Insight paper from Iriss provides a timely and essential examination of artificial intelligence in social work practice, with implications for SASW members and Scottish social work more broadly. The research offers both practical guidance and critical analysis.
Read more: buff.ly/ZiPP8kR
Read more: buff.ly/ZiPP8kR
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
An important story in today’s Guardian on a new report showing that teenagers in care are four times more likely to attempt to end their own life than those with no care experience, from #NuffieldFunded research by a team at @ioe.bsky.social.
Read the story: bit.ly/45dhdxv
Read the story: bit.ly/45dhdxv
One in four UK teenagers in care have attempted to end their lives, study says
Research also shows teenagers in care are four times more likely to try to end their lives than peers with no care history
bit.ly
January 14, 2026 at 12:59 PM
An important story in today’s Guardian on a new report showing that teenagers in care are four times more likely to attempt to end their own life than those with no care experience, from #NuffieldFunded research by a team at @ioe.bsky.social.
Read the story: bit.ly/45dhdxv
Read the story: bit.ly/45dhdxv
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
🗣️ We recently published the findings of our 2025 Have Your Say survey.
As well as providing an overview of the entire social care workforce in Wales, the final report also breaks the findings down into three job groups:
👉 Read our summary of responses from managers: https://ow.ly/6knz50XFyKn
As well as providing an overview of the entire social care workforce in Wales, the final report also breaks the findings down into three job groups:
👉 Read our summary of responses from managers: https://ow.ly/6knz50XFyKn
December 8, 2025 at 10:05 AM
🗣️ We recently published the findings of our 2025 Have Your Say survey.
As well as providing an overview of the entire social care workforce in Wales, the final report also breaks the findings down into three job groups:
👉 Read our summary of responses from managers: https://ow.ly/6knz50XFyKn
As well as providing an overview of the entire social care workforce in Wales, the final report also breaks the findings down into three job groups:
👉 Read our summary of responses from managers: https://ow.ly/6knz50XFyKn
Will the Liberty Protection Safeguards weaken human rights protections or reduce intrusion into the lives of young people/adults and their families? Find out what social workers think here: www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/11/05/s...
Social workers split over replacing DoLS with Liberty Protection Safeguards, poll finds - Community Care
In light of the upcoming consultation on the new deprivations of liberty system, we gauged social workers' opinions on whether it will strengthen safeguards for vulnerable people
www.communitycare.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Will the Liberty Protection Safeguards weaken human rights protections or reduce intrusion into the lives of young people/adults and their families? Find out what social workers think here: www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/11/05/s...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
We extend our huge congratulations to Joanna Macdonald, who has been announced as the new National Chief Social Work Advisor and Chief Executive of the new National Social Work Agency.
October 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
We extend our huge congratulations to Joanna Macdonald, who has been announced as the new National Chief Social Work Advisor and Chief Executive of the new National Social Work Agency.
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Day 2 of the Supreme Court Hearing reconsidering Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Tuesday 21st October
See our website for a summary of Day 1 and details of how to follow on the livestream:
openjusticecourtofprotection.org
See our website for a summary of Day 1 and details of how to follow on the livestream:
openjusticecourtofprotection.org
Promoting Open Justice in the Court of Protection
Post by @OpenJusticeCoP.
openjusticecourtofprotection.org
October 20, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Day 2 of the Supreme Court Hearing reconsidering Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Tuesday 21st October
See our website for a summary of Day 1 and details of how to follow on the livestream:
openjusticecourtofprotection.org
See our website for a summary of Day 1 and details of how to follow on the livestream:
openjusticecourtofprotection.org
To mark the start of National Adoption Week, @wearecoram.bsky.social has launched a call for adoption stories to mark next year's centenary of the legislation that created the first legal framework for adoption #adoption #socialwork #childrenincare www.coram.org.uk/news/coram-n...
Coram launches nationwide call for adoption stories to mark 100th anniversary of The Adoption of Children Act 1926 - Coram
Coram is calling for people across the country to share their stories of adoption, to mark the centenary of The Adoption of Children Act in 2026.
www.coram.org.uk
October 20, 2025 at 11:13 AM
To mark the start of National Adoption Week, @wearecoram.bsky.social has launched a call for adoption stories to mark next year's centenary of the legislation that created the first legal framework for adoption #adoption #socialwork #childrenincare www.coram.org.uk/news/coram-n...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
This apparent shift in the government's position is very welcome news. 👏
In the summer, we wrote to the government alongside @adass.bsky.social urging them to implement LPS, which has been put on the back burner for too long. It's encouraging that Ministers have listened and responded.
In the summer, we wrote to the government alongside @adass.bsky.social urging them to implement LPS, which has been put on the back burner for too long. It's encouraging that Ministers have listened and responded.
October 20, 2025 at 9:40 AM
This apparent shift in the government's position is very welcome news. 👏
In the summer, we wrote to the government alongside @adass.bsky.social urging them to implement LPS, which has been put on the back burner for too long. It's encouraging that Ministers have listened and responded.
In the summer, we wrote to the government alongside @adass.bsky.social urging them to implement LPS, which has been put on the back burner for too long. It's encouraging that Ministers have listened and responded.
This is a wonderfully-written and hugely affecting piece from a care experienced woman about her (woeful) time in the system. Well worth your time #childrenincare #socialcare
A care experienced woman recalls the emotional neglect and isolation she endured in foster care, and practitioners' failure to intervene
My Care Story: ‘Social workers witnessed my isolation, documented it and did nothing’ - Community Care
www.communitycare.co.uk
October 2, 2025 at 10:09 AM
This is a wonderfully-written and hugely affecting piece from a care experienced woman about her (woeful) time in the system. Well worth your time #childrenincare #socialcare
Not a lot of love for the £500m announced by @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social for adult social care's first fair pay agreement based on the comments I received for this article #lowpay #adultsocialcare #labourpartyconference
Government's £500m to tackle 'poverty pay' in social care 'barely scratches surface', warn providers - Community Care
Funding to implement adult social care pay agreement to come from £4bn boost to sector coffers announced in government spending review
www.communitycare.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Not a lot of love for the £500m announced by @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social for adult social care's first fair pay agreement based on the comments I received for this article #lowpay #adultsocialcare #labourpartyconference
Big changes proposed today for social care for disabled children by Law Commission: a duty to meet need, with national eligibility criteria, rights to advocacy for children and parents/carers, rights for children to take/participate in decisions #socialcare www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/09/16/n...
Disabled children: national eligibility criteria needed to end 'postcode lottery', finds law review - Community Care
Law Commission issues recommendations to simplify 'unnecessarily complex' legal framework for disabled children
www.communitycare.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Big changes proposed today for social care for disabled children by Law Commission: a duty to meet need, with national eligibility criteria, rights to advocacy for children and parents/carers, rights for children to take/participate in decisions #socialcare www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/09/16/n...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
This feels like good news. 25% of council children's services are rated outstanding by @ofstednews.bsky.social. Four years ago it was 13%. However, no reduction in proportion of inadequate-rated councils and big regional disparities in share of outstanding ones #socialwork #childrensocialcare
Quarter of children's services now rated outstanding by Ofsted - Community Care
Proportion of councils rated outstanding by Ofsted for children's services has doubled since 2021, finds Community Care analysis
www.communitycare.co.uk
August 21, 2025 at 5:56 PM
This feels like good news. 25% of council children's services are rated outstanding by @ofstednews.bsky.social. Four years ago it was 13%. However, no reduction in proportion of inadequate-rated councils and big regional disparities in share of outstanding ones #socialwork #childrensocialcare
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
There have been strong critical sentiments expressed about the Social Worker Awards previously. But I think this is the first time that I have seen someone actually refuse a nomination. I would have thought people would be asked prior to being listed?
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/07/s...
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/07/s...
August 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
There have been strong critical sentiments expressed about the Social Worker Awards previously. But I think this is the first time that I have seen someone actually refuse a nomination. I would have thought people would be asked prior to being listed?
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/07/s...
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/07/s...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Interesting stats from @community-care.bsky.social . Just 3 out of 730 referrals to Social Work England by the public end up with removal from the register (0.4%). Compared to 14 of 228 referrals from employers (6%). Those 17 removals equate to 0.016% of SWs.
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/14/h...
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/14/h...
Huge rise in fitness to practise concerns about social workers - Community Care
Rise driven by concerns from members of the public, the overwhelming majority of which are rejected by regulator at initial stage
www.communitycare.co.uk
August 14, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Interesting stats from @community-care.bsky.social . Just 3 out of 730 referrals to Social Work England by the public end up with removal from the register (0.4%). Compared to 14 of 228 referrals from employers (6%). Those 17 removals equate to 0.016% of SWs.
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/14/h...
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/14/h...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Very nice obit for the outstanding journalist #MalcomDean. I was lucky enough to know him in his advisory roles to my work and he always asked the right questions and challenged our research conclusions www.theguardian.com/media/2025/j...
Malcolm Dean obituary
Founder of the Guardian’s Society section who stood for the SDP/Liberal Alliance in the 1983 and 1987 general elections
www.theguardian.com
July 24, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Very nice obit for the outstanding journalist #MalcomDean. I was lucky enough to know him in his advisory roles to my work and he always asked the right questions and challenged our research conclusions www.theguardian.com/media/2025/j...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Rare good news for social care
July 18, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Rare good news for social care
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Calling local authorities 📢 *Evidence into Practice* work with us to turn evidence into action to help strengthen children's services 👇
Find out more about our major new call to select 9 local authorities to partner with us to transform children’s outcomes: foundations.org.uk/launch-of-ne...
Find out more about our major new call to select 9 local authorities to partner with us to transform children’s outcomes: foundations.org.uk/launch-of-ne...
July 4, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Calling local authorities 📢 *Evidence into Practice* work with us to turn evidence into action to help strengthen children's services 👇
Find out more about our major new call to select 9 local authorities to partner with us to transform children’s outcomes: foundations.org.uk/launch-of-ne...
Find out more about our major new call to select 9 local authorities to partner with us to transform children’s outcomes: foundations.org.uk/launch-of-ne...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Eileen Munro argues that ongoing reforms, based on the #MacAlisterReview are "very likely to fail" and that professionals are just being "inundated with guidance and rules" From @community-care.bsky.social
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/07/03/m...
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/07/03/m...
Munro: children's social care reforms 'very likely to fail' due to scale of change and lack of testing - Community Care
Eileen Munro questions overhaul of child protection conference chair role and raises concerns about non-social work qualified staff taking on cases
www.communitycare.co.uk
July 4, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Eileen Munro argues that ongoing reforms, based on the #MacAlisterReview are "very likely to fail" and that professionals are just being "inundated with guidance and rules" From @community-care.bsky.social
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/07/03/m...
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/07/03/m...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Don't think Access Social Care are on here...but they are looking for people who use adult social care services to test their new audit service for free - is the support you are getting in line with your legal entitlement?
www.accesscharity.org.uk/news-blog/ca...
www.accesscharity.org.uk/news-blog/ca...
June 26, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Don't think Access Social Care are on here...but they are looking for people who use adult social care services to test their new audit service for free - is the support you are getting in line with your legal entitlement?
www.accesscharity.org.uk/news-blog/ca...
www.accesscharity.org.uk/news-blog/ca...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Our research team (@ciaranmmmurphy.bsky.social et al.) are still looking to recruit more social workers and former social workers with experience of working in coastal communities in England. If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact: coastalsocialwork@bucks.ac.uk.
June 17, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Our research team (@ciaranmmmurphy.bsky.social et al.) are still looking to recruit more social workers and former social workers with experience of working in coastal communities in England. If you are interested, or would like more information, please contact: coastalsocialwork@bucks.ac.uk.
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Today with @cvaauk.bsky.social & other voluntary #adoption agencies we have launched a new guide to raise awareness of the need for more adoptive parents for children of Black & other diverse ethnicities who are waiting for a family.
Download the free guide: www.coramadoption.org.uk/who-can-adop...
Download the free guide: www.coramadoption.org.uk/who-can-adop...
Black children and families - Coram Adoption
www.coramadoption.org.uk
June 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Today with @cvaauk.bsky.social & other voluntary #adoption agencies we have launched a new guide to raise awareness of the need for more adoptive parents for children of Black & other diverse ethnicities who are waiting for a family.
Download the free guide: www.coramadoption.org.uk/who-can-adop...
Download the free guide: www.coramadoption.org.uk/who-can-adop...
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
SWU General Secretary welcomed the opportunity to share member feedback on the @socialworkengland.bsky.social fee increase proposal. A positive meeting with SWE CEO to highlight SWU concerns about an increase, ensuring any increase provides value for money for social workers, and greater efficiency.
June 2, 2025 at 12:22 PM
SWU General Secretary welcomed the opportunity to share member feedback on the @socialworkengland.bsky.social fee increase proposal. A positive meeting with SWE CEO to highlight SWU concerns about an increase, ensuring any increase provides value for money for social workers, and greater efficiency.
Reposted by Mithran Samuel
Here's my new article on mortality due to Fabricated or Induced Illness in England. It challenges the exaggeration of mortality in procedures which say up to 10% die and found no deaths in England over a 12 year period. Please rt
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance...
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance...
Fabricated or induced illness in England: Examining mortality and serious harm
Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII) is a term used in England since 2002 to describe situations where a parent or caregiver either exaggerates a child’s sy
academic.oup.com
May 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Here's my new article on mortality due to Fabricated or Induced Illness in England. It challenges the exaggeration of mortality in procedures which say up to 10% die and found no deaths in England over a 12 year period. Please rt
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance...
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance...