Social Work Sorted with Vicki Shevlin

In this episode I explore one of the most persistent and unhelpful narratives in social work; that there is a hierarchy of practice, and that unless you have done your time in child protection you have not done real social work.
Drawing on my own experience moving from family facing practice to conference chair to independent social worker and trainer, I reflect on the guilt that comes with changing direction, the false divide between academia and practice, the overlooked contribution of adult social work, and why social work needs to see itself as an ecosystem rather than a ranking system.
Professional identity is fluid. Your version of social work matters. This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned whether what they do counts.
Disclaimer: This podcast is hosted by Vicki Shevlin, an independent social worker and safeguarding consultant. Content is intended to support professional development and reflective practice. It is not a substitute for supervision, statutory guidance or your organisation's policies and procedures.
Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Listen to The Collective Podcast  

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening. 

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

In this episode I'm talking about one of the most consistent findings across serious case reviews; the invisible child and giving you one practical thing you can take into your next home visit immediately. Inspired by Harry Ferguson's new book Making Child Protection Work, I'm focusing specifically on direct work with infants and why greeting a child first, even a sleeping baby, matters more than you might think. This isn't about blame or shame. It's about small shifts that make a real difference. When considering whether to wake a sleeping child during a visit, always refer to your local authority policy and statutory guidance.
If you're interested in training for your local authority, organisation or team, I work with a range of organisations across the UK delivering skills-focused safeguarding and social work training. Get in touch at [email protected] or find the link to book a conversation in the show notes.
This podcast is hosted by Vicki Shevlin, an independent social worker and safeguarding consultant with over ten years of experience. The content is intended to support your professional development and reflective practice. It is not a substitute for good quality supervision, statutory guidance, legislation, or your organisation's policies and procedures. Always refer to your local authority guidance and relevant statutory frameworks when making practice decisions. Nothing in this podcast constitutes formal legal or professional advice.
Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Listen to The Collective Podcast  

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening. 

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

In this episode, I'm reflecting on my own unexpected experience of having a record written about me, not as a social worker, but as a home educating parent. It's a small, almost comedic example, but it stayed with me, and it raises big questions about accuracy, context, and what families actually feel when their words are recorded without them. I'm also sharing my thoughts on what the Families First changes and updated Working Together guidance mean for social workers in practice, and why legislative change without investment in skills is just paperwork with a new name. 
Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Listen to The Collective Podcast  

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening. 

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

In this episode, I’m joined by Power 2 Prevail to explore what it really means to work with young people, not just around them.
We talk about the power of youth work, how professional hierarchies can silence lived experience, and why “listening” isn’t the same as genuine inclusion.
Together, we explore how care-experienced young people can and should shape training, learning and development, not as a token gesture, but as valued experts in their own lives.
This conversation is about power, voice, and what changes when we take young people seriously in practice, in systems, and in ourselves.

Connect with Jade:
Linkedin: Jade Barnett 
Instagram: @power2prevail_
https://power2prevail.co.uk/
Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Listen to The Collective Podcast  

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening. 

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

Have your home visits started running to two hours… but nothing is actually changing?
In this bite-sized episode, I share a powerful reflection from inside The Social Work Collective Academy following a live masterclass on Staying Connected When Conversations Are Hard.
We talk about:
Why naming the time you have is a professional skill
How unclear time boundaries increase burnout
Why shorter visits can still be high-quality
How boundaries help families feel safer
The link between containment, regulation, and emotional safety
This isn’t about rushing people.
 It isn’t about being rigid.
It’s about calm, confident containment.
If you’re leaving visits drained, struggling to end meetings on time, or feeling like you’re giving more than you have — this episode is your reminder:
You are allowed to name the time.
The Staying Connected masterclass is now inside The Social Work Collective Academy.
Lets connect!

To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email [email protected]

Sign up to my free newsletter

Listen to The Collective Podcast  

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin

Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_

Youtube.com/@socialworksorted

Facebook.com/socialworksorted

Disclaimer

Thank you so much for listening. 

Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.