Social Work Sorted with Vicki Shevlin

This episode was unplanned but necessary.After receiving my Spotify Wrapped for the podcast, I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks: many listeners of Social Work Sorted were also listening to summaries of The Let Them Theory.In this episode, I unpack why the idea of “just letting them” doesn’t sit comfortably with me as a social worker, an advocate, or a human living in a collective world. While self-help narratives often encourage us to stop people-pleasing and focus inward, I explore how this can quickly slide into passivity, hyper-individualisation, and a quiet acceptance of harm.We talk about power, privilege, social justice, and why “letting them” is not a neutral act - especially in a profession rooted in advocacy and collective responsibility.This is not about attacking individuals or books. It’s about being clear on our values.Sometimes, the most radical thing we can do is not let them.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 Join The Collective Email: [email protected]: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_Youtube.com/@socialworksortedFacebook.com/socialworksortedDisclaimer 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 honestly about Christmas – both as a person and as a social worker. I share my own complicated relationship with the festive season, from hypervigilant childhood Decembers to slowly reclaiming pockets of joy with my own children (yes, including my very extra homemade advent calendar).Then we look at Christmas in practice: how to protect your own energy in December, set realistic non-negotiables, and gently let go of the traditions and expectations that are stressing you out. I’ll also walk you through some practical reflections for the children and families you work with – from contact/family time and foster carer support, to poverty, gifts, domestic abuse and safety planning that actually means something.If Christmas feels heavy, complicated or lonely this year, this episode is here to remind you that you’re not alone, and that joy and risk can co-exist – in your life and in your practice.Timestamps:00:00 – Finding my Christmas footing (and my intro) Rusty with podcasting, updates on The Social Work Collective Academy, and the Ofsted masterclass invite.10:00 – Christmas + you as a social worker Complicated feelings about Christmas, reparenting, boundaries, non-negotiables, and letting go of festive pressure.40:00 – Christmas for children and families in practice Contact/family time, poverty and presents, domestic abuse, safety planning, and holding both risk and joy in social work.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 Join The Collective Email: [email protected]: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_Youtube.com/@socialworksortedFacebook.com/socialworksortedDisclaimer 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 directly to Designated Safeguarding Leads about supervision – what it is, what it isn’t, and why you absolutely need it in your role. I share three key things every DSL needs to know about supervision, including the difference between emotional containment and therapy, why you don’t need someone to “tell you what to do”, and why supervision won’t always feel comfortable (in the best possible way). If you’re a DSL with no supervision, or you’re not sure your current support is right for you, this episode will give you clarity – and language to start the conversation in your school. Enquire about Independent Supervision and wraparound Safeguarding Support 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 Join The Collective Email: [email protected]: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_Youtube.com/@socialworksortedFacebook.com/socialworksortedDisclaimer 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 week’s episode, I’m sharing a story that unfolded in my local park — one of those moments where instinct, practice experience, and humanity collided.After intervening in what appeared to be a domestically abusive situation, I walked away thinking about the one message every child, every adult, and every social worker needs to hear more often: “It’s not your fault.”In this episode, I talk about: • Why this message matters more than we realise • How systems, culture and upbringing shape our silence • The tension between speaking up vs staying quiet • The role social work skills play when things unfold in real time • How we help children (and ourselves) disconnect shame from experience • The importance of naming abuse with clarity, confidence and compassionInside the Social Work Collective Academy, we’re exploring confidence, regulation and reflective practice through our 12-week Confidence in Practice Journey — and this episode connects deeply to that work.If you want weekly guidance, bitesize practice support, domestic abuse training, court skills, child protection process refreshers and access to our December Masterclass on OFSTED, you can join the Academy anytime here. 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 Join The Collective Email: [email protected]: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_Youtube.com/@socialworksortedFacebook.com/socialworksortedDisclaimer 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.

Why are we still doing things for Ofsted? Why do we hear, “Make sure your case notes are up to date — for Ofsted”?In this episode, I explore how inspection culture shapes the way we work and how it can create fear instead of reflection. With grounded takeaways for directors, managers, and practitioners, this episode looks at how we can rebuild calm, confidence, and purpose within our organisations.Join me for the live Managing Ofsted, Regulation & Change masterclass  free for members of The Social Work Collective Academy. 🗓️ Tuesday 9th December, 7:30–9:00pm (UK)TICKETS FOR DECEMBER: www.socialworksorted.com/liveeventsJoin The Social Work Collective Academy www.socialworksorted.com/collectiveonlineLets 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 Join The Collective Email: [email protected]: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_Youtube.com/@socialworksortedFacebook.com/socialworksortedDisclaimer 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.