Social Work History Network
@socwkhistory.bsky.social
Social Work History Network was established in London in 2000. It is an informal network of social workers, academics, historians, archivists and others.
This day in social work history ⏳
22nd November 1988: Children Bill, what would become the Children Act 1989, announced in the Queen’s Speech to Parliament: “A Bill will be introduced to improve and rationalise the law governing the care and protection of children”.
22nd November 1988: Children Bill, what would become the Children Act 1989, announced in the Queen’s Speech to Parliament: “A Bill will be introduced to improve and rationalise the law governing the care and protection of children”.
November 22, 2025 at 12:54 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
22nd November 1988: Children Bill, what would become the Children Act 1989, announced in the Queen’s Speech to Parliament: “A Bill will be introduced to improve and rationalise the law governing the care and protection of children”.
22nd November 1988: Children Bill, what would become the Children Act 1989, announced in the Queen’s Speech to Parliament: “A Bill will be introduced to improve and rationalise the law governing the care and protection of children”.
This day in social work history ⌛
16th November 1989: Children Bill granted Royal Assent, becoming the Children Act 1989.
16th November 1989: Children Bill granted Royal Assent, becoming the Children Act 1989.
November 16, 2025 at 7:48 PM
This day in social work history ⌛
16th November 1989: Children Bill granted Royal Assent, becoming the Children Act 1989.
16th November 1989: Children Bill granted Royal Assent, becoming the Children Act 1989.
This day in social work history⌛
15th November 2004 - Children Bill granted Royal Assent, becoming the Children Act 2004. This was the day before the 15th anniversary of the Children Act 1989 receiving Royal Assent.
15th November 2004 - Children Bill granted Royal Assent, becoming the Children Act 2004. This was the day before the 15th anniversary of the Children Act 1989 receiving Royal Assent.
November 15, 2025 at 7:46 PM
This day in social work history⌛
15th November 2004 - Children Bill granted Royal Assent, becoming the Children Act 2004. This was the day before the 15th anniversary of the Children Act 1989 receiving Royal Assent.
15th November 2004 - Children Bill granted Royal Assent, becoming the Children Act 2004. This was the day before the 15th anniversary of the Children Act 1989 receiving Royal Assent.
This day in social work history ⏳
2nd November 2024: Paul Stephenson died (aged 87). Dr Stephenson was known for being the first black social worker in Bristol, and for his civil rights campaigning, including leading the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.
2nd November 2024: Paul Stephenson died (aged 87). Dr Stephenson was known for being the first black social worker in Bristol, and for his civil rights campaigning, including leading the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.
November 2, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
2nd November 2024: Paul Stephenson died (aged 87). Dr Stephenson was known for being the first black social worker in Bristol, and for his civil rights campaigning, including leading the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.
2nd November 2024: Paul Stephenson died (aged 87). Dr Stephenson was known for being the first black social worker in Bristol, and for his civil rights campaigning, including leading the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.
This day in social work history ⏳
1st November 2016: Plans for a new specialist social work regulator in England, what would become @socialworkengland.bsky.social, announced. This was just 4 years after the previous specialist regulator, General Social Care Council (GSCC), was shut down.
1st November 2016: Plans for a new specialist social work regulator in England, what would become @socialworkengland.bsky.social, announced. This was just 4 years after the previous specialist regulator, General Social Care Council (GSCC), was shut down.
November 1, 2025 at 5:03 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
1st November 2016: Plans for a new specialist social work regulator in England, what would become @socialworkengland.bsky.social, announced. This was just 4 years after the previous specialist regulator, General Social Care Council (GSCC), was shut down.
1st November 2016: Plans for a new specialist social work regulator in England, what would become @socialworkengland.bsky.social, announced. This was just 4 years after the previous specialist regulator, General Social Care Council (GSCC), was shut down.
This day in social work history ⏳
26th July 1945: Clement Attlee (1883-1967), former social worker, became Prime Minister of the UK, a position he would hold until 1951 as he oversaw radical domestic reforms. Attlee remained leader of the Labour party until 1955.
26th July 1945: Clement Attlee (1883-1967), former social worker, became Prime Minister of the UK, a position he would hold until 1951 as he oversaw radical domestic reforms. Attlee remained leader of the Labour party until 1955.
July 26, 2025 at 1:03 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
26th July 1945: Clement Attlee (1883-1967), former social worker, became Prime Minister of the UK, a position he would hold until 1951 as he oversaw radical domestic reforms. Attlee remained leader of the Labour party until 1955.
26th July 1945: Clement Attlee (1883-1967), former social worker, became Prime Minister of the UK, a position he would hold until 1951 as he oversaw radical domestic reforms. Attlee remained leader of the Labour party until 1955.
This day in social work history ⏳
24th July 1897: Aviation Pioneer and social worker Amelia Earhart born in Atchison, Kansas USA. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic. She also worked as a social worker at Denison House in Boston.
24th July 1897: Aviation Pioneer and social worker Amelia Earhart born in Atchison, Kansas USA. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic. She also worked as a social worker at Denison House in Boston.
July 24, 2025 at 9:06 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
24th July 1897: Aviation Pioneer and social worker Amelia Earhart born in Atchison, Kansas USA. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic. She also worked as a social worker at Denison House in Boston.
24th July 1897: Aviation Pioneer and social worker Amelia Earhart born in Atchison, Kansas USA. Earhart was the first female aviator to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic. She also worked as a social worker at Denison House in Boston.
This day in social work history ⏳
2nd July 1937: Aviation pioneer and social worker Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific. As well as her achievements in aviation, Earhart had also worked as a social worker in Boston, USA.
2nd July 1937: Aviation pioneer and social worker Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific. As well as her achievements in aviation, Earhart had also worked as a social worker in Boston, USA.
July 2, 2025 at 8:50 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
2nd July 1937: Aviation pioneer and social worker Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific. As well as her achievements in aviation, Earhart had also worked as a social worker in Boston, USA.
2nd July 1937: Aviation pioneer and social worker Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific. As well as her achievements in aviation, Earhart had also worked as a social worker in Boston, USA.
This day in social work history ⏳
July 2014: Global Definition of Social Work approved by IFSW General Meeting and IASSW General Assembly. Translated into twenty-six languages it is widely recognised as one of the most important contemporary definitions of social work.
July 2014: Global Definition of Social Work approved by IFSW General Meeting and IASSW General Assembly. Translated into twenty-six languages it is widely recognised as one of the most important contemporary definitions of social work.
July 1, 2025 at 9:32 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
July 2014: Global Definition of Social Work approved by IFSW General Meeting and IASSW General Assembly. Translated into twenty-six languages it is widely recognised as one of the most important contemporary definitions of social work.
July 2014: Global Definition of Social Work approved by IFSW General Meeting and IASSW General Assembly. Translated into twenty-six languages it is widely recognised as one of the most important contemporary definitions of social work.
This day in social work history ⏳
21st June 1976 - Campaigner Barbara Robb died in London aged 64. Robb campaigned for rights of older people, founded AGEIS, and was editor of Sans Everything: A Case to Answer (1967), that included chapters and input from social workers.
21st June 1976 - Campaigner Barbara Robb died in London aged 64. Robb campaigned for rights of older people, founded AGEIS, and was editor of Sans Everything: A Case to Answer (1967), that included chapters and input from social workers.
June 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
21st June 1976 - Campaigner Barbara Robb died in London aged 64. Robb campaigned for rights of older people, founded AGEIS, and was editor of Sans Everything: A Case to Answer (1967), that included chapters and input from social workers.
21st June 1976 - Campaigner Barbara Robb died in London aged 64. Robb campaigned for rights of older people, founded AGEIS, and was editor of Sans Everything: A Case to Answer (1967), that included chapters and input from social workers.
This day in social work history⏳
21st May 1935: Jane Addams, American activist, suffragette, author, and social worker died in Chicago at the age of 74. Sometimes referred to as the “mother of social work”, Addams was the co-founder of Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago.
21st May 1935: Jane Addams, American activist, suffragette, author, and social worker died in Chicago at the age of 74. Sometimes referred to as the “mother of social work”, Addams was the co-founder of Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago.
May 21, 2025 at 7:47 AM
This day in social work history⏳
21st May 1935: Jane Addams, American activist, suffragette, author, and social worker died in Chicago at the age of 74. Sometimes referred to as the “mother of social work”, Addams was the co-founder of Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago.
21st May 1935: Jane Addams, American activist, suffragette, author, and social worker died in Chicago at the age of 74. Sometimes referred to as the “mother of social work”, Addams was the co-founder of Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago.
This day in social work history ⏳
7th April 2005: Mental Capacity Bill receives Royal Assent becoming the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The legislation would not actually come into force until 2007, when it was gradually introduced (fully introduced by October 1st, 2007).
7th April 2005: Mental Capacity Bill receives Royal Assent becoming the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The legislation would not actually come into force until 2007, when it was gradually introduced (fully introduced by October 1st, 2007).
May 7, 2025 at 9:48 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
7th April 2005: Mental Capacity Bill receives Royal Assent becoming the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The legislation would not actually come into force until 2007, when it was gradually introduced (fully introduced by October 1st, 2007).
7th April 2005: Mental Capacity Bill receives Royal Assent becoming the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The legislation would not actually come into force until 2007, when it was gradually introduced (fully introduced by October 1st, 2007).
This day in social work history ⏳
7th April 2005: Mental Capacity Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It would not come into force until 2007, when it was gradually introduced (fully introduced October 1st, 2007).
7th April 2005: Mental Capacity Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It would not come into force until 2007, when it was gradually introduced (fully introduced October 1st, 2007).
April 7, 2025 at 8:15 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
7th April 2005: Mental Capacity Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It would not come into force until 2007, when it was gradually introduced (fully introduced October 1st, 2007).
7th April 2005: Mental Capacity Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It would not come into force until 2007, when it was gradually introduced (fully introduced October 1st, 2007).
15th March 2009: Social Worker, and Emmy nominated and Tony winning actor Ron Silver, died in New York (aged 62). Silver was known for many roles including in The West Wing, TimeCop, and Veronica’s closet. Prior to his acting career he worked as a social worker.
March 15, 2025 at 8:08 PM
15th March 2009: Social Worker, and Emmy nominated and Tony winning actor Ron Silver, died in New York (aged 62). Silver was known for many roles including in The West Wing, TimeCop, and Veronica’s closet. Prior to his acting career he worked as a social worker.
This day in social work history ⏳
12th March 1948: Virginia Bottomley, Conservative member of the House of Lords, and former psychiatric social worker and Secretary of State for Health, born in Dunoon, Scotland.
12th March 1948: Virginia Bottomley, Conservative member of the House of Lords, and former psychiatric social worker and Secretary of State for Health, born in Dunoon, Scotland.
March 12, 2025 at 3:06 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
12th March 1948: Virginia Bottomley, Conservative member of the House of Lords, and former psychiatric social worker and Secretary of State for Health, born in Dunoon, Scotland.
12th March 1948: Virginia Bottomley, Conservative member of the House of Lords, and former psychiatric social worker and Secretary of State for Health, born in Dunoon, Scotland.
28th January 2003: Victoria Climbie Inquiry report published, led by Lord Laming, who was tasked with looking into the death of the 8 year old Victoria who had been tortured and murdered by her great-aunt and her boyfriend (Victoria died February 25, 2000).
January 28, 2025 at 3:20 PM
28th January 2003: Victoria Climbie Inquiry report published, led by Lord Laming, who was tasked with looking into the death of the 8 year old Victoria who had been tortured and murdered by her great-aunt and her boyfriend (Victoria died February 25, 2000).
This day in social work history ⏳
15th January 2021: Former teacher Josh MacAlister, now Labour MP, appointed to chair the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care by Gavin Williamson, dubbed a “once in a generation opportunity to reform systems and services”.
15th January 2021: Former teacher Josh MacAlister, now Labour MP, appointed to chair the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care by Gavin Williamson, dubbed a “once in a generation opportunity to reform systems and services”.
January 15, 2025 at 3:45 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
15th January 2021: Former teacher Josh MacAlister, now Labour MP, appointed to chair the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care by Gavin Williamson, dubbed a “once in a generation opportunity to reform systems and services”.
15th January 2021: Former teacher Josh MacAlister, now Labour MP, appointed to chair the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care by Gavin Williamson, dubbed a “once in a generation opportunity to reform systems and services”.
This day in social work history ⏳
14th January 20222: National Assessment and Accreditation Scheme (NAAS) for social workers in England officially scrapped, following widespread resistance in the profession, union boycotts, and a cost of more than £24m, or £14k per participant.
14th January 20222: National Assessment and Accreditation Scheme (NAAS) for social workers in England officially scrapped, following widespread resistance in the profession, union boycotts, and a cost of more than £24m, or £14k per participant.
January 14, 2025 at 12:33 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
14th January 20222: National Assessment and Accreditation Scheme (NAAS) for social workers in England officially scrapped, following widespread resistance in the profession, union boycotts, and a cost of more than £24m, or £14k per participant.
14th January 20222: National Assessment and Accreditation Scheme (NAAS) for social workers in England officially scrapped, following widespread resistance in the profession, union boycotts, and a cost of more than £24m, or £14k per participant.
This day in social work history ⏳
5th January 1939: Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart declared dead in absentia following her disappearance over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Among her many roles and achievements, Earhart was a pioneering social worker in Boston in the 1920s.
5th January 1939: Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart declared dead in absentia following her disappearance over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Among her many roles and achievements, Earhart was a pioneering social worker in Boston in the 1920s.
January 5, 2025 at 10:11 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
5th January 1939: Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart declared dead in absentia following her disappearance over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Among her many roles and achievements, Earhart was a pioneering social worker in Boston in the 1920s.
5th January 1939: Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart declared dead in absentia following her disappearance over the Pacific Ocean in 1937. Among her many roles and achievements, Earhart was a pioneering social worker in Boston in the 1920s.
This day in social work history ⏳
27th December 1939: Emmy nominated actor, singer, boxing champion, professional (American) footballer and qualified social worker, John Amos, born in Newark, New Jersey. Amos died in August this year, aged 84.
27th December 1939: Emmy nominated actor, singer, boxing champion, professional (American) footballer and qualified social worker, John Amos, born in Newark, New Jersey. Amos died in August this year, aged 84.
December 27, 2024 at 2:37 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
27th December 1939: Emmy nominated actor, singer, boxing champion, professional (American) footballer and qualified social worker, John Amos, born in Newark, New Jersey. Amos died in August this year, aged 84.
27th December 1939: Emmy nominated actor, singer, boxing champion, professional (American) footballer and qualified social worker, John Amos, born in Newark, New Jersey. Amos died in August this year, aged 84.
This day in social work history⏳
21st December 1948: Samuel L Jackson, American actor, activist and former social worker, born in Washington DC. Jackson worked as a social worker for two years in LA after he was suspended from college for activism related to curriculum reform.
21st December 1948: Samuel L Jackson, American actor, activist and former social worker, born in Washington DC. Jackson worked as a social worker for two years in LA after he was suspended from college for activism related to curriculum reform.
December 21, 2024 at 5:45 PM
This day in social work history⏳
21st December 1948: Samuel L Jackson, American actor, activist and former social worker, born in Washington DC. Jackson worked as a social worker for two years in LA after he was suspended from college for activism related to curriculum reform.
21st December 1948: Samuel L Jackson, American actor, activist and former social worker, born in Washington DC. Jackson worked as a social worker for two years in LA after he was suspended from college for activism related to curriculum reform.
This day in social work history ⏳
13th December 1930: Olive Stevenson, social worker and academic, born. Stevenson would become known particularly through her role in the inquiry into the murder of Maria Colwell. Stevenson was also a founding editor of British Journal of Social Work.
13th December 1930: Olive Stevenson, social worker and academic, born. Stevenson would become known particularly through her role in the inquiry into the murder of Maria Colwell. Stevenson was also a founding editor of British Journal of Social Work.
December 13, 2024 at 12:09 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
13th December 1930: Olive Stevenson, social worker and academic, born. Stevenson would become known particularly through her role in the inquiry into the murder of Maria Colwell. Stevenson was also a founding editor of British Journal of Social Work.
13th December 1930: Olive Stevenson, social worker and academic, born. Stevenson would become known particularly through her role in the inquiry into the murder of Maria Colwell. Stevenson was also a founding editor of British Journal of Social Work.
This day in social work history ⏳
13th December 2018: Mark Drakeford, Welsh Politician and former social worker, becomes First Minister of Wales. Drakeford worked in probation, youth justice and was a Professor in Social Policy and Applied Social Sciences.
13th December 2018: Mark Drakeford, Welsh Politician and former social worker, becomes First Minister of Wales. Drakeford worked in probation, youth justice and was a Professor in Social Policy and Applied Social Sciences.
December 13, 2024 at 10:29 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
13th December 2018: Mark Drakeford, Welsh Politician and former social worker, becomes First Minister of Wales. Drakeford worked in probation, youth justice and was a Professor in Social Policy and Applied Social Sciences.
13th December 2018: Mark Drakeford, Welsh Politician and former social worker, becomes First Minister of Wales. Drakeford worked in probation, youth justice and was a Professor in Social Policy and Applied Social Sciences.