Prof. Carlene Firmin
@carlenefirmin.bsky.social
Prof of Social Work, Durham University
Founder, Contextual Safeguarding
Founder, Contextual Safeguarding
Pinned
A line in the sand: Moving from surface improvement to foundational shifts to develop effective responses to extra-familial risks and harms
This article presents representative accounts from efforts in six social care departments in the UK to use innovation to improve their responses to young p
academic.oup.com
New year, new article....
one that will shape my work for years to come.
Using a 3 year ethnography
@michellelefevre.bsky.social @klanghoff.bsky.social Gillian Ruch & I draw a line in the sand & call for foundational reform in responses to extra-familial harm
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance... 🧵
one that will shape my work for years to come.
Using a 3 year ethnography
@michellelefevre.bsky.social @klanghoff.bsky.social Gillian Ruch & I draw a line in the sand & call for foundational reform in responses to extra-familial harm
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance... 🧵
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
We’re delighted to get Day 1 of our annual conference underway with Professor @carlenefirmin.bsky.social speaking on the realities of safeguarding young people from extra-familial harm
September 9, 2025 at 9:31 AM
We’re delighted to get Day 1 of our annual conference underway with Professor @carlenefirmin.bsky.social speaking on the realities of safeguarding young people from extra-familial harm
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
We’re delighted to hear next from @carlenefirmin.bsky.social who will be guiding us through Scotland’s road to contextual safeguarding - a concept that involves targeting the social conditions where harm occurs. Thank you to Carlene for delivering this year’s Day 1 keynote address.
#YJConf25
#YJConf25
June 11, 2025 at 9:07 AM
We’re delighted to hear next from @carlenefirmin.bsky.social who will be guiding us through Scotland’s road to contextual safeguarding - a concept that involves targeting the social conditions where harm occurs. Thank you to Carlene for delivering this year’s Day 1 keynote address.
#YJConf25
#YJConf25
A brilliant morning in Manchester
💬 A powerful opening plenary and panel session at #BASWConf25 focused around how we make safeguarding meaningful for Adolescents and Young Adults.
Thank you to all our speakers and delegates for a valuable in-depth discussion on such an important issue.
Thank you to all our speakers and delegates for a valuable in-depth discussion on such an important issue.
June 10, 2025 at 12:19 PM
A brilliant morning in Manchester
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
📢 The British Journal of Social Work Appoints New Co-editors!
Congratulations to @carlenefirmin.bsky.social and @stkong.bsky.social who will officially start in their new role as co-editors on 1 July 2025.
Find out more 🔗 new.basw.co.uk/articles/bri...
Congratulations to @carlenefirmin.bsky.social and @stkong.bsky.social who will officially start in their new role as co-editors on 1 July 2025.
Find out more 🔗 new.basw.co.uk/articles/bri...
April 17, 2025 at 10:11 AM
📢 The British Journal of Social Work Appoints New Co-editors!
Congratulations to @carlenefirmin.bsky.social and @stkong.bsky.social who will officially start in their new role as co-editors on 1 July 2025.
Find out more 🔗 new.basw.co.uk/articles/bri...
Congratulations to @carlenefirmin.bsky.social and @stkong.bsky.social who will officially start in their new role as co-editors on 1 July 2025.
Find out more 🔗 new.basw.co.uk/articles/bri...
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
We’re delighted to share our conference programme. As well as @carlenefirmin.bsky.social & Darren McGarvey keynotes, the event includes sessions on gender-based violence, neighbourhood policing, diversion, and lots more!
📅 9-10 Sept 25
📍 Leeds
Register: vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk/annual-confe...
📅 9-10 Sept 25
📍 Leeds
Register: vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk/annual-confe...
Annual conference - Vulnerability and Policing: Reducing Harm, Strengthening Justice - Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre
Register for the Centre's annual conference: Vulnerability and Policing: Reducing Harm, Strengthening Justice.
vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk
April 15, 2025 at 11:38 AM
We’re delighted to share our conference programme. As well as @carlenefirmin.bsky.social & Darren McGarvey keynotes, the event includes sessions on gender-based violence, neighbourhood policing, diversion, and lots more!
📅 9-10 Sept 25
📍 Leeds
Register: vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk/annual-confe...
📅 9-10 Sept 25
📍 Leeds
Register: vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk/annual-confe...
Really looking forward to this
At our upcoming symposium, Carlene Firmin (Durham University, UK) will be presenting 'Handle with care: the struggles to foreground humanity in social work responses to extra-familial harm'
@carlenefirmin.bsky.social
See link in bio to register!
@carlenefirmin.bsky.social
See link in bio to register!
March 24, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Really looking forward to this
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
This week, he launched our "Safe" podcast with @carlenefirmin.bsky.social, diving deep into contextual safeguarding and how we can better protect young people.
Listen now: youtu.be/7wJw9CyIzNI?...
Listen now: youtu.be/7wJw9CyIzNI?...
Carlene Firmin: Contextual Safeguarding is Common Sense | Safe E1
YouTube video by Youth Endowment Fund
youtu.be
March 21, 2025 at 11:06 AM
This week, he launched our "Safe" podcast with @carlenefirmin.bsky.social, diving deep into contextual safeguarding and how we can better protect young people.
Listen now: youtu.be/7wJw9CyIzNI?...
Listen now: youtu.be/7wJw9CyIzNI?...
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
@youthendowmentfund.org.uk conf today with @nickcookuk.bsky.social
Enjoyed hearing
@carlenefirmin.bsky.social calling for absolute focus on the needs of the child (not the system) & DCS Greenwich (&TCS Trustee) Florence Kroll on the role of kindness & humility in leadership
Lots to reflect on!
Enjoyed hearing
@carlenefirmin.bsky.social calling for absolute focus on the needs of the child (not the system) & DCS Greenwich (&TCS Trustee) Florence Kroll on the role of kindness & humility in leadership
Lots to reflect on!
March 20, 2025 at 9:28 PM
@youthendowmentfund.org.uk conf today with @nickcookuk.bsky.social
Enjoyed hearing
@carlenefirmin.bsky.social calling for absolute focus on the needs of the child (not the system) & DCS Greenwich (&TCS Trustee) Florence Kroll on the role of kindness & humility in leadership
Lots to reflect on!
Enjoyed hearing
@carlenefirmin.bsky.social calling for absolute focus on the needs of the child (not the system) & DCS Greenwich (&TCS Trustee) Florence Kroll on the role of kindness & humility in leadership
Lots to reflect on!
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
📢 Against Youth Violence, the book me and Keir Irwin-Rogers published in 2022, is now fully open access! 📢
Link here:
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/display/book...
Contents list in image. You can download chapter by chapter, or the whole thing.
Please share!
Link here:
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/display/book...
Contents list in image. You can download chapter by chapter, or the whole thing.
Please share!
March 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
📢 Against Youth Violence, the book me and Keir Irwin-Rogers published in 2022, is now fully open access! 📢
Link here:
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/display/book...
Contents list in image. You can download chapter by chapter, or the whole thing.
Please share!
Link here:
bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/display/book...
Contents list in image. You can download chapter by chapter, or the whole thing.
Please share!
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
📣 Registration for the Youth Justice Conference 2025 is now open!
📆 11 and 12 June, 2025, Stirling Court Hotel
Book your place: lnkd.in/e97DbNcW
Our theme is ‘Childhood, Safeguarding and the Children’s Hearing System’ and keynote speakers are @carlenefirmin.bsky.social and Dr Grace Robinson
📆 11 and 12 June, 2025, Stirling Court Hotel
Book your place: lnkd.in/e97DbNcW
Our theme is ‘Childhood, Safeguarding and the Children’s Hearing System’ and keynote speakers are @carlenefirmin.bsky.social and Dr Grace Robinson
March 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM
📣 Registration for the Youth Justice Conference 2025 is now open!
📆 11 and 12 June, 2025, Stirling Court Hotel
Book your place: lnkd.in/e97DbNcW
Our theme is ‘Childhood, Safeguarding and the Children’s Hearing System’ and keynote speakers are @carlenefirmin.bsky.social and Dr Grace Robinson
📆 11 and 12 June, 2025, Stirling Court Hotel
Book your place: lnkd.in/e97DbNcW
Our theme is ‘Childhood, Safeguarding and the Children’s Hearing System’ and keynote speakers are @carlenefirmin.bsky.social and Dr Grace Robinson
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
Really enjoyed writing this article with @carlenefirmin.bsky.social Kate O'brien, Rachael Owens and Donna Garvey on the systemic problems with child welfare systems, problematising mothers, no matter how 'good' they are.
The Impossibility of ‘Good Mothering’ in Child Welfare Systems When Referred for Non-Traditional Harms
By Sociology academics
@rutternik.bsky.social , C Firmin, K O'Brien & R Owens, with D Garvey:
www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14...
One author has a lived-experience perspective to bring to the article
By Sociology academics
@rutternik.bsky.social , C Firmin, K O'Brien & R Owens, with D Garvey:
www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/14...
One author has a lived-experience perspective to bring to the article
www.mdpi.com
February 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Really enjoyed writing this article with @carlenefirmin.bsky.social Kate O'brien, Rachael Owens and Donna Garvey on the systemic problems with child welfare systems, problematising mothers, no matter how 'good' they are.
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
We're live! The call for abstracts is now open for the JUSWA conference June 26-27 2025 at UCLan in Preston, UK. For everyone interested in social work research. Its titled:
Shaping Our Future: Proactive messages from social work practice, education and research
Shaping Our Future: Proactive messages from social work practice, education and research
January 10, 2025 at 10:31 AM
We're live! The call for abstracts is now open for the JUSWA conference June 26-27 2025 at UCLan in Preston, UK. For everyone interested in social work research. Its titled:
Shaping Our Future: Proactive messages from social work practice, education and research
Shaping Our Future: Proactive messages from social work practice, education and research
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
Another article now out- #actionresearch methods. Pls share. Feeling well, feeling cared for? Using participatory and arts-engaged research to improve understanding and professional responses to the mental health needs of care-experienced young people www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Feeling well, feeling cared for? Using participatory and arts-engaged research to improve understanding and professional responses to the mental health needs of care-experienced young people
Care-experienced young people face significant levels of mental distress yet the nature and lived reality of this is poorly understood and undermines the degree to which professional caregivers can...
www.tandfonline.com
January 7, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Another article now out- #actionresearch methods. Pls share. Feeling well, feeling cared for? Using participatory and arts-engaged research to improve understanding and professional responses to the mental health needs of care-experienced young people www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
Looking forward to reading this - great that it’s open access too.
New year, new article....
one that will shape my work for years to come.
Using a 3 year ethnography
@michellelefevre.bsky.social @klanghoff.bsky.social Gillian Ruch & I draw a line in the sand & call for foundational reform in responses to extra-familial harm
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance... 🧵
one that will shape my work for years to come.
Using a 3 year ethnography
@michellelefevre.bsky.social @klanghoff.bsky.social Gillian Ruch & I draw a line in the sand & call for foundational reform in responses to extra-familial harm
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance... 🧵
A line in the sand: Moving from surface improvement to foundational shifts to develop effective responses to extra-familial risks and harms
This article presents representative accounts from efforts in six social care departments in the UK to use innovation to improve their responses to young p
academic.oup.com
January 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Looking forward to reading this - great that it’s open access too.
New year, new article....
one that will shape my work for years to come.
Using a 3 year ethnography
@michellelefevre.bsky.social @klanghoff.bsky.social Gillian Ruch & I draw a line in the sand & call for foundational reform in responses to extra-familial harm
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance... 🧵
one that will shape my work for years to come.
Using a 3 year ethnography
@michellelefevre.bsky.social @klanghoff.bsky.social Gillian Ruch & I draw a line in the sand & call for foundational reform in responses to extra-familial harm
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance... 🧵
A line in the sand: Moving from surface improvement to foundational shifts to develop effective responses to extra-familial risks and harms
This article presents representative accounts from efforts in six social care departments in the UK to use innovation to improve their responses to young p
academic.oup.com
January 2, 2025 at 3:21 PM
New year, new article....
one that will shape my work for years to come.
Using a 3 year ethnography
@michellelefevre.bsky.social @klanghoff.bsky.social Gillian Ruch & I draw a line in the sand & call for foundational reform in responses to extra-familial harm
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance... 🧵
one that will shape my work for years to come.
Using a 3 year ethnography
@michellelefevre.bsky.social @klanghoff.bsky.social Gillian Ruch & I draw a line in the sand & call for foundational reform in responses to extra-familial harm
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance... 🧵
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
No ambulance available to take a black child to hospital for urgent mental health assessment and care. Police given task instead. Two police officers assault child.
www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news...
www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news...
Two Met Police officers convicted for assaulting 16-year-old Black boy - Voice Online
PC Gonen is suspended and PC Price remains on restricted duties. Both officers will be sentenced on 24 January
www.voice-online.co.uk
December 27, 2024 at 7:59 PM
No ambulance available to take a black child to hospital for urgent mental health assessment and care. Police given task instead. Two police officers assault child.
www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news...
www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news...
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
I haven’t really joined in on here yet! But myself and the wonderful Steve Crossley have just wrapped up this terms Abolitionist seminar series 💥 for the Communities and Social Justice research group at Durham Sociology - and it was great! For those of us working in practice reform - a must!
December 11, 2024 at 4:37 PM
I haven’t really joined in on here yet! But myself and the wonderful Steve Crossley have just wrapped up this terms Abolitionist seminar series 💥 for the Communities and Social Justice research group at Durham Sociology - and it was great! For those of us working in practice reform - a must!
Finally got around to reading this Child of the North report and welcome multiple recommendations around both a #ContextualSafeguarding approach in general & specifically Risk Outside of the Home (ROTH) child protection processes
More calls to meeting need as paramount for providing protection
More calls to meeting need as paramount for providing protection
Published today, a new @childofthenorth.bsky.social @cfyounglives.bsky.social report coordinated by @vp-centre.bsky.social researchers argues for a whole-child approach to childhood vulnerability that focuses on needs
vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk/news/new-rep...
vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk/news/new-rep...
New report warns thousands of vulnerable children at risk of criminal exploitation - Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre
A report by the Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre warns thousands of vulnerable children are at risk of criminal exploitation.
vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk
December 11, 2024 at 4:23 PM
Finally got around to reading this Child of the North report and welcome multiple recommendations around both a #ContextualSafeguarding approach in general & specifically Risk Outside of the Home (ROTH) child protection processes
More calls to meeting need as paramount for providing protection
More calls to meeting need as paramount for providing protection
Reposted by Prof. Carlene Firmin
Great paper and thread by @carlenefirmin.bsky.social the absolute expert in navigating the complexities of responding to extra-familial harm. ⬇️
This year I've thought a lot about the ethics of social work responses to extra-familial harm
I outline some of these thoughts in my latest paper on Risk Outside of the Home Child Protection pathways available for free via this link www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In it I argue that🧵
I outline some of these thoughts in my latest paper on Risk Outside of the Home Child Protection pathways available for free via this link www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In it I argue that🧵
Binaries and Blurred Lines: The Ethical Stress of Child Protection Social Work in the Grey of Extra-Familial Harm
Social care responses to extra-familial harm require social workers to work across the binaries of welfare and justice, victim and perpetrator, parent and professional, risk and protection. This pa...
www.tandfonline.com
December 5, 2024 at 7:45 AM
Great paper and thread by @carlenefirmin.bsky.social the absolute expert in navigating the complexities of responding to extra-familial harm. ⬇️
This year I've thought a lot about the ethics of social work responses to extra-familial harm
I outline some of these thoughts in my latest paper on Risk Outside of the Home Child Protection pathways available for free via this link www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In it I argue that🧵
I outline some of these thoughts in my latest paper on Risk Outside of the Home Child Protection pathways available for free via this link www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In it I argue that🧵
Binaries and Blurred Lines: The Ethical Stress of Child Protection Social Work in the Grey of Extra-Familial Harm
Social care responses to extra-familial harm require social workers to work across the binaries of welfare and justice, victim and perpetrator, parent and professional, risk and protection. This pa...
www.tandfonline.com
December 4, 2024 at 9:48 PM
This year I've thought a lot about the ethics of social work responses to extra-familial harm
I outline some of these thoughts in my latest paper on Risk Outside of the Home Child Protection pathways available for free via this link www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In it I argue that🧵
I outline some of these thoughts in my latest paper on Risk Outside of the Home Child Protection pathways available for free via this link www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
In it I argue that🧵
FINAL CHANCE TO BOOK: forms.office.com/e/83HJXnzzQq
Learning Event on Risk Outside of the Home (ROTH) Child Protection Pathways, by researchers and local areas piloting the approach.
10.12.24
12:00 - 14:00
We have secured a zoom licence that allows more attendees.
Booking closes 03.12.24, 5pm.
Learning Event on Risk Outside of the Home (ROTH) Child Protection Pathways, by researchers and local areas piloting the approach.
10.12.24
12:00 - 14:00
We have secured a zoom licence that allows more attendees.
Booking closes 03.12.24, 5pm.
Microsoft Forms
forms.office.com
December 2, 2024 at 12:59 PM
FINAL CHANCE TO BOOK: forms.office.com/e/83HJXnzzQq
Learning Event on Risk Outside of the Home (ROTH) Child Protection Pathways, by researchers and local areas piloting the approach.
10.12.24
12:00 - 14:00
We have secured a zoom licence that allows more attendees.
Booking closes 03.12.24, 5pm.
Learning Event on Risk Outside of the Home (ROTH) Child Protection Pathways, by researchers and local areas piloting the approach.
10.12.24
12:00 - 14:00
We have secured a zoom licence that allows more attendees.
Booking closes 03.12.24, 5pm.