In this episode, Michelle from Iriss speaks to Tommy Whitelaw, who was a full-time carer for his late mother Joan who had vascular dementia. In 2011, he embarked on a walk around Scotland's towns and cities to collect hundreds of life story letters detailing the experiences of individuals caring for a loved one living with dementia.

Since then, Tommy has engaged with thousands of carers through his 'Tommy on Tour' blog and as UK Project Engagement Lead with the Alliance's Dementia Carer Voices Project. He gives talks to health and social care professionals and carer organisations across Scotland, to raise awareness of the impact of dementia on families and the importance of empowering carers in carrying out their difficult but vital role.

Freshly Squeezed aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Roddy Samson, Kate Burton and Karen Carrick. A roundtable discussion on the embedding of welfare advisers in health and social care services, as an effective response to the impact of welfare reform.

The discussion involved Kate Burton, Public Health Practitioner at Scottish Public Health Network; Roddy Samson, Welfare Advice Service Facilitator at the Improvement Service; and Karen Carrick, Project Manager at the Improvement Service.

They discuss what a welfare adviser is, and detail the embedded model - its effectiveness, challenges and plans for it going forward.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michelle Drumm from Iriss 'squeezes' Viv Cree, Professor of Social Work Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

Viv has conducted research in a number of social work-related fields over the last 20 years, focusing mainly on qualitative research that aims to improve social work services, and hence, the lives of those who use services.

Within this, she specialised in research on social work history, feminism and gender in social work, HIV and children and young people affected by parental illness.

Before coming to the university, Viv worked for 16 years as a professional social worker and community worker in both the statutory and voluntary sectors. She is an accredited practice teacher.

Freshly Squeezed aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

In this episode Michelle from Iriss interviews Dr Donald Macaskill, Chief Executive of Scottish Care.

Donald worked for many years in the health and social care sectors across the United Kingdom specialising in learning disability and older people's work. A particular professional focus has been issues related to bereavement, palliative care and individual rights.

For thirteen years he ran his own equality and human rights consultancy focusing on adult protection, risk and personalisation. From 2012-2015 he managed Scottish Care's self-directed support project, People as Partners, then worked as Scottish Care's Joint National Workforce Lead. From 1st April 2016 he became the CEO of Scottish Care, the representative body for care providers in the independent sector.

We hear about the people, projects, books, music and much more that inspire him.

Freshly Squeezed aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

In this episode, Michelle from Iriss interviews Trisha Hall, National Director of the Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW).

Since coming to Britain from the Netherlands in 1987, Trisha has worked in residential child care in West Yorkshire. After completing a degree in social work in 1993, she then worked in statutory social work services in the North East of Scotland as social worker, Team and Area Manager, and subsequently from 2003, in the voluntary sector as Regional Director and Head of Evaluation and Research. Throughout her career Trisha's main role has been the leadership and management of workers and service managers providing services.

Trisha has been a British Association of Social Work member since 1991.

Freshly Squeezed aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michael McEwan speaks to Gerry Tougher, Public Engagement Officer at East Renfrewshire Council about Talking Points, a new approach to providing information and support to people in their local communities.

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Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

In this episode, Michelle Drumm speaks to Ian Welsh, Chief Executive of the Health and Social Care Alliance.

Ian has been Director of UK Services for the Rehab Group, leading charities working in care, supported employment, rehabilitation and training.

In his time as Chief Executive and Board member of Kilmarnock Football Club, he led the club through business and footballing success, building a number of innovative community programmes. He also served as a non-executive Director of Glasgow Prestwick Airport and as Executive Director of Human Resources and Public Affairs.

He has spent time in politics as an elected member leading first Kyle and Carrick District Council and then South Ayrshire Council before serving briefly as MSP for Ayr.

Freshly Squeezed aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Write to Recovery is celebrating four years in 2018.

Erin Crombie (Group work facilitator) and John McCormack (Project Manager) from the Scottish Recovery Network give an update on the project four years on.

We also hear from Audrey and Dorothea, who share their experiences of using Write to Recovery.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Talking Social Work was an event held on 13 September 2018 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 - to celebrate, reflect on the journey so far and look to the future.

Claire Ferrier, social worker with Perth and Kinross Council within the Adult Care Team talks about the risk of not demonstrating care, the risk of not demonstrating trust and the culture of social work and relationships with service users.

Claire won the Jo Campling Memorial essay prize from the journal of Ethics and Social Welfare. The award was for Claire's practice study on 'risk' in social work which was subsequently published in the journal.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Talking Social Work was an event held on 13 September 2018 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 - to celebrate, reflect on the journey so far and look to the future.

Jane Martin, Chief Social Work Officer at Dundee City Council reflects on her social work journey, the changes she's seen and her views of the future. Jane is a qualified social worker with over 35 years experience, mainly within children's services and community justice, having worked mostly in Fife and Dundee.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Talking Social Work was an event held on 13 September 2018 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 - to celebrate, reflect on the journey so far and look to the future.

Colin Turbett, qualified as a social worker in 1978 and spent the next 37 years in urban and rural front line fieldwork settings in the west of Scotland, finishing his career as a children and family team manager in North Ayrshire.

He is the author of the recent publication, Community social work in Scotland: a critical history 50 years after the Social Work Scotland Act 1968. He reflects on social work work from the early 1960s to the present day.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michael McEwan speaks to Jill Keegan, Community Development Adviser with Outside the Box, an equalities charity that focuses on community development support across Scotland and the UK.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michelle Drumm speaks to Emma Scott, who was the winner of the Bright Spark Award at the Scottish Social Services Awards in 2018. This award aims to recognise a young person who is excelling in the work they do in the sector.

Since leaving high school in 2014, Emma began an apprenticeship at Peartree Nursery in East Lothian. She has gained an SVQ Level 3 and has lots of hands-on experience with children of different ages and situations.

Freshly Squeezed aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michael McEwan speaks to Ethan Young, Civic Participation Officer at Inclusion Scotland about Access to Politics, a project which aims to support disabled people into politics.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Iriss attended the Social Pedagogy Professional Association's conference Growing up, growing old and staying well in Edinburgh on 28 September 2018.

We spoke to a number of academics and practitioners about social pedagogy and the value it brings to practice.

These included Mark Smith, Professor of Social Work at the University of Dundee; Lotte Harbo, Social Professor at VIA University College in Denmark; Gabriel Eichsteller from ThemPra Social Pedagogy; Gemma Campbell, a practitioner at Kibble Education and Care Centre; and Graham McPheat, Senior Teaching Fellow in Social Work at the University of Strathclyde.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

On 18 October 2018, Iriss hosted a discussion about Shared Lives, a community based model of social care, where adults that need support move in with, or regularly visit, an approved Shared Lives carer. This is with the aim of supporting the individual to share family and community life. It also reduces social isolation and loneliness in adults.

In this discussion we hear what Shared Lives is, its outcomes and impact, and quality and sustainability. It involves Shared Lives carers, a user of the service, a family placement assessor and members of the development team.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

In this episode, Michelle Drumm speaks to Mairi O'Keefe, Chief Executive of Leuchie House national respite centre, based near North Berwick since 2003. The only facility of its kind in Scotland, Leuchie has specialised in providing short respite breaks for people and their families living with MS, Parkinson's and other long-term conditions.

In 2010, Mairi successfully led the Save Leuchie campaign, saving the centre from closure and setting it up as an independent charity in July 2011. In 2015, she received an MBE for services to people with disabilities.

Confirming that she will be leaving Leuchie House in November 2018 Mairi O'Keefe said:

Everyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about Leuchie House and the very special service we provide. It was always going to be difficult to step down, but I know I can do so feeling proud of everything we've achieved. I've been honoured to experience on a daily basis just how much of a difference Leuchie makes to all the hundreds of families we support every year.

Freshly Squeezed aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

On 24 October, Iriss attended Navigating Troubled Waters: Women in social work education in Scotland seminar, where we heard from Emeritus Professor Viv Cree and Dr Mary Mitchell about a study funded by the Carnegie UK Trust, which began with the realisation that women in the academy fare less well than men across all disciplines: they are less likely to be promoted, they earn less pay, and they are much less likely to become professors.

What this means for the discipline of social work education is explored.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Iriss.fm is delighted to broadcast an episode on the work of Plumtree, an Australian not-for-profit organisation that provides support for young children from birth to 8 years old with a developmental delay or disability and their families.

Sylvana Mahmic (CEO) and Dr Melanie Heyworth (Peer Worker) tell the story of Now and Next, a project that has been successful at involving families as peer workers in early childhood intervention.

Three key messages:

Peer workers offer unique benefit to families of young children with disabilities that are not available through existing services, but which are complementary to them. Benefits include feelings of leadership, agency and community. Learning from mental health practice could be applied to the disability sector, so there was no need to spend time reinventing the wheel. It made it cost effective, quick and provided maximum benefit. Implementation of peer work into any existing organisation will face challenges and barriers, but these can be mitigated by pre-emptive organisational action.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michelle Drumm interviews Professor Jennifer Davidson, Executive Director of Inspiring Children's Futures at the University of Strathclyde, which incorporates the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS).

Jennifer is driven by a commitment to ensuring children's rights have an impact on children's day-to-day lived experiences, and on the reality of international rights improving local children's services throughout the world. Her range of leadership positions in child and youth care, social work and professional education spans Canada, the United States and the UK. She has served on national and international committees related to children's services, and was a founding member of the US National Campaign for the Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Freshly Squeezed aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michelle Drumm interviews Lynn Williams, an unpaid carer and activist, providing practical care and support to her husband Derek. Derek has a high level spinal injury and other linked, complex needs.

Lynn is on the board of Engender, a national woman's organisation and on the board of her local Carers Centre. She also works on a part-time basis in health and social care policy with Glasgow Centre for Voluntary Services.

Freshly Squeezed aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michael McEwan speaks to Steven Thomson, Creative Director and CEO of Outspoken Arts, a professional and creative organisation interested in work which references cutting edge social issues such as creative learning for young and vulnerable people, stories of migration and asylum, issues affecting LGBT people, disability, ethnicity, creative ageing and social health and well-being.

The organisation represents diverse communities and recognises that equality, equal and human rights are now very much the focus of mainstream society, civic and organisational culture and its shifting sense of identity plays an increasingly influential role in this.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michael McEwan speaks to Ian Buchanan about Disability Equality Scotland, focusing more specifically on Disability Access Panels.

As the umbrella body for Access Panels in Scotland, Disability Equality Scotland offers support and training opportunities to help Access Panels operate efficiently, link together as a network and learn from each other.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

For the launch of Learning Disability Week 2019, Michael McEwan spoke to Libby Clement from Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD); James Morton, Bake Off finalist; and Jonathan McKinstry, a nominee in the 2018 Learning Disability Awards.

This year's theme is 'community'. Communities are at their best when everyone is active in their community, connected to people within their community, and feels included by their community.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

On 8 February 2019, Michelle from Iriss had a conversation with Kate Samuels from Generations Working Together about the work it does to promote and support intergenerational practice.

She also chatted to Keith Mitchell and Natalie Stewart from Glasgow's Golden Generation; and Charlotte Craig from Impact Arts about their intergenerational work.

Generations Working Together is holding its annual conference on 6 March in Glasgow. You can book a place on their website.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Has self-directed support been the transformational and radical policy that it was set out to be?

Dr Charlotte Pearson and Professor Nick Watson spoke to Stuart Muirhead from Iriss about their research on the policy - what the results reveal about the implementation of self-directed support in Scotland.

Charlotte was one of the authors of our 2012 Iriss Insight, Self-directed support: preparing for delivery.

We also produced a recent evidence summary titled, Self-directed support and workforce development, which explores how the social care workforce in Scotland can be further developed to deliver self-directed support.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government that is tasked with managing a number of devolved benefits to improve the lives of Scottish people.

These benefits include pregnancy and baby payment, Carers' Allowance, disability benefit and housing and heating support.

Michael McEwan spoke to Rachael McKechnie about Social Security Scotland's work to date and its ambitions for the future.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michelle Drumm interviews Ben Farrugia, Director of Social Work Scotland.

Ben held a variety of policy roles down in London (with a particular interest in education and children's services). In 2009, he moved up to Scotland to work in the government’s Looked After Children team and in 2011 moved to the University of Strathclyde to join the team that would soon after become CELCIS.

In his own words, he is 'now very proud to be leading Social Work Scotland’s small Edinburgh based team, which provides support to various committees and groups, and represents members in discussions with Parliament, Government and other partners'.

Freshly Squeezed is an Iriss podcast which aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Driving Miss Daisy is a driving and companion service for anyone who requires transport on a one-off or regular basis.

Melanie Harper started driving her aunt to appointments in Havelock North, New Zealand. In 2008, Melanie and her husband Jack started thinking about providing the service on a broader scale across New Zealand and developed a business which they named Driving Miss Daisy. This was later extended to the UK.

Michael McEwan interviews Ann Overdijking and Christine McIntyre from Driving Miss Daisy in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

On World Social Work Day, Michelle Drumm interviews David Williams, Chief Officer of Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership.

David qualified as a social worker in 1988 and worked for two years in Easterhouse and then for seven years in Drumchapel as a social worker and senior social worker.

He subsequently held various roles in charities over the years and was appointed formally to the chief officer position by Glasgow City Integration Joint Board at its first meeting on 8 February 2016

Freshly Squeezed is an Iriss podcast which aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michael McEwan, our roving reporter on disability issues, chats to Ruth Foster, a tutor at Waterbaby Arts and two of the dancers involved in the Dirty Feet programme, Sandy and Maureen Graham.

We hear about the work of Waterbaby Arts and the experiences of Sandy and Maureen.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michelle Drumm interviews Jackie Irvine, Chief Social Work Officer and Head of Safer and Stronger Communities in the City of Edinburgh Council. Jackie was appointed as the President of Social Work Scotland in May 2018 and her tenure as president comes to an end in May 2019. However, as Past President Jackie will stay on as a key member of the Executive Group at Social Work Scotland.

Jackie’s previous positions were predominantly in children’s services, but not exclusively, as she has been lead for criminal justice, community based health services, and adult hospital-based social work teams.

Freshly Squeezed is an Iriss podcast which aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michael McEwan speaks to Linda Mitchell from the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD) about IASSIDD - the World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, which is being held in Glasgow on 6-9 August, 2019.

IASSIDD Congresses are the leading international research and practice meetings in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Congress theme is Future4All.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Irina McLean, Project Leader with NHS Research Scotland Management Team, is currently leading the development of a Research Governance Framework (RGF) which will meet the needs of Scotland’s Social Care Services employers, staff, and service users and their families.

The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 sets the context for the integration of adult health and social care within Scotland. Underpinning the introduction of the Act was a commitment to ensure the consistent provision of quality, sustainable care services for the increasing numbers of people in Scotland who need joined-up support and care.

The Scottish Government recognises that for successful reform and effective integration of health and social care sectors collective ethical and accountable research practices are required.

The new RGF is currently being defined through a process of engagement.

In this episode, Irina tells us more about the work she is doing. If you would like to follow up with Irina about the RGF or speak to her about research you're involved in, you can contact her direct at: irina.mclean@nrs.org.uk.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

The newly qualified social worker conference titled, Shaping our future: relationships matter, was held on 31 May 2019 in at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. 

Iona Colvin, Chief Social Work Adviser at Scottish Government, spoke about the importance of relationships at strategic level, within and across government, and how the role of social work has changed to be located within organisational partnerships with the aim of delivering more seamless services for people.

She also talks about the unique contribution of social work as a holistic relationship-based profession, what they are doing with others to raise its profile, plan for the future and support newly qualified social workers.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Michelle Drumm interviews Calum Glasgow. Calum is currently studying social work at the University of Strathclyde and received an award for Student Social Worker of the Year at the SASW Social Work Awards 2019.

Calum's placement was with the British Red Cross, based in their psychosocial team, which provides holistic support for refugees and asylum seekers. The work ranged from completing initial assessments, providing emotional support, accompanying people to legal (and other) appointments and helping alleviate their levels of destitution. In his words, he describes the experience as 'a real eye-opener'.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

The Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ) annual conference was held on 19 and 20 June 2019 in Stirling, with the theme 'Youth Justice Through the Ages'.

Michelle from Iriss spoke to some of speakers on the first day of the conference. These included Fiona Dyer, Interim Director at CYCJ; Bruce Adamson, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People; the Right Hon. Lady Dorrian, Lord Justice Clerk; Dr Tim Bateman, University of Bedfordshire; Rosie Moore, Independent Care Review and Co-chair of conference; and James Frame, Co-Chair of the conference. 

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

The newly qualified social worker conference titled, Shaping our future: relationships matter, was held on 31 May 2019 in at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

Jackie Irvine, Chief Social Work Officer at Edinburgh City Council and past President of social work Scotland, takes some time to reflect on how the practice environment in which social work operates has changed. She provides advice on making the most of relationships at work, as well as self-care strategies.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Michelle Drumm interviews Kathryn Lindsay, who is the Director of Children, Families and Justice / Chief Social Work Officer for Angus Council. She is also the President of Social Work Scotland.

Since qualifying as a social worker in 2000, Kathryn worked as a practitioner across Angus and Dundee City Council justice services and in residential services at Rossie Young People’s Trust. She held senior posts in Dundee City and Angus Council in both Children’s and Justice Services before becoming Chief Social Work Officer in 2016. Kathryn has experience leading services that serve more than one local authority area and has an interest in collaborative service design.

She has a longstanding commitment to post qualifying learning, most recently achieving the Chief Social Work Officer Post Graduate Diploma at Glasgow Caledonian University. She has Masters in both practice and leadership based subjects and a particular interest in developing the workforce, promoting relationship-based practice and public protection.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

People First is an organisation run by and for people with learning disabilities.

Michael McEwan speaks to Rosie Smith, one of the members, who tells him about the work of the organisation. 

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

An interview with Viv Clelland, winner of the ’The untold story’ award at the Scottish Social Services Awards 2019. She is a support worker for looked after young people and families in East Ayrshire. 

Viv lived in a Kilmarnock children’s home from the age of 11 years until she was 17. She began her career doing a bit of everything: cleaning, working in bars, as well as volunteering for a horse riding school for disabled young people.

In 2000, she became a volunteer parent coach with Kilmarnock Harriers, which led to her being approached to volunteer with East Ayrshire Council. By 2006, she was employed as Sports Motivator – working in a variety of community coaching & children’s house sessions for the council.

As Viv developed, the job developed and her role became more focused on working with looked after and accommodated young people, based within the play and early intervention team. Her skills have also supported work in HMP Kilmarnock and with vulnerable families. 

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Gig Buddies is a project that matches people with a learning disability with a volunteer who shares similar interests to engage in nightlife activities together.

Michael McEwan interviews the Scotland project manager, Samuel Maggs and also speaks to a user of the service, Kerry Ferguson. 

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

An interview with Peter Macleod, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate and Chair of Iriss.

Peter graduated from Robert Gordon University with a degree in social sciences and a qualification in social work and began a career as a social worker in Glasgow in 1987.

In 1996 he joined Renfrewshire council as an area manager, responsible for adult, children’s and criminal justice social work, and in early 2007 was appointed head of children’s services and criminal justice for social work and the community health partnership.

In 2015, he was appointed Renfrewshire’s first director of a new children’s services directorate, bringing together children’s social work, education and criminal justice services.

He sits on the boards of MacMillan Cancer Support TCAT Programme and Scottish Government’s Re-aligning Children’s Services programme.

In his own words, he says, "I am ambitious for social care; I want people in Scotland to experience transformational, world-class care that makes a real and positive difference to their lives."

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

On 16 September 2019, Iriss attended the launch of the Scottish Social Services Council's (SSSC) Careers in Care website which was created to highlight the wide variety of career opportunities available in the sector.

The resource demonstrates how people can build a career working with children and young people, in social services and healthcare settings, or as a social worker.

We spoke to social services practitioners who shared their career stories for use on the website.

In this first episode of three, Greg and Elaine, two residential care managers tell us about their journeys into careers in care. Charlotte and Tasha, two young people supported at the residential home, also provide their views on what it takes to be a residential care worker.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

On 16 September 2019, Iriss attended the launch of the SSSC's Careers in Care website which was created to highlight the wide variety of career opportunities available in the sector.

The resource demonstrates how people can build a career working with children and young people, in social services and healthcare settings, or as a social worker.

We spoke to social services practitioners who shared their career stories for use on the website.

In this second episode of three, Sarah, Gillian and Deborah, who work in various adult care settings, tell us about their journeys into and experiences of the profession.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

On 16 September 2019, Iriss attended the launch of the SSSC's Careers in Care website which was created to highlight the wide variety of career opportunities available in the sector.

The resource demonstrates how people can build a career working with children and young people, in social services and healthcare settings, or as a social worker.

We spoke to social services practitioners who shared their career stories for use on the website. 

In this final episode of three, we hear from Rowena McIntosh, a social worker; John McVeigh, an academic; and John Stewart, an inspector with the Care Inspectorate, who talk about their journeys into the profession and the skills required to be a social worker.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Ensemble is a Loretto Care project that supports young people out of homelessness through song writing and music.

On 19 September, Michelle from Iriss travelled to Stirling to speak with Michael Timmons, Community Engagement Lead for the project, and Andrew Sinclair a participant and volunteer. Ensemble received ‘A 'different approach’ award at the Scottish Social Services Awards 2019.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Hannah Tweed from the ALLIANCE and Dianne Theakstone from Self-directed Support Scotland spoke to Iriss about the joint research they are undertaking on user experiences of self-directed support in Scotland.

This Scottish Government funded research intends to encourage and develop policy and best practice across the social care landscape.

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Dorothy Neriah is a a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh who is conducting research on rethinking how we understand, evaluate and undertake foster carer recruitment.

Michelle from Iriss had a conversation with her about how she came to focus on this topic, current practice in foster carer recruitment, and the benefits of rethinking the approach.

Contact Dorothy about her research: dorothy.neriah@ed.ac.uk 

Transcript of episode

Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.