In this episode, Lis and Mim delve into a rich practice story from a social worker in the disabilities space, supporting a mother and her children experiencing domestic violence, while working to meet the high support needs of one of the children. Then we break down the story and what was happening behind the scenes for that social worker - holding this family with great care, dignity and respect in the midst of a challenged service system. In the end, we see the richness that social work...

Hey! Social Worker!! If you listen to this episode you'll never think of 'discharge planning' as simply admin again... it'll become an act of social justice each and every time! Enjoy.   SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Mim refers to Pamela Trevithick's work. Here's the reference: Trevithick, P. (2012). Social work skills and knowledge: a practice handbook (3rd edn.). McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work...

Lis called this episode, "A classic!" and Mim said, "This is going straight onto my University Readings List." So, you know it's going to be worth the listen! We hope that you enjoy.   SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Lis refers to a journal article on 'covert activism'. Here's the reference: Greenslade, L., McAuliffe, D. & Chenoweth, L., 2015, 'Social workers' experiences of covert workplace activism', Australian Social Work, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 422-437, DOI:...

Welcome back to the Social Work Stories podcast. This is the first episode released for 2024, and boy-oh-boy do we have a doozy for you!! In this episode, you'll join Lis and Mim in hearing from an anonymous social worker using a practice innovation in an Emergency Department setting. This is a riveting story and discussion, not to be missed!   SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Mim refers to 'Narrative Therapy and Intensive Outreach: Working with Mothers whose Children have been removed - Ep. 72'....

Join hosts Lis Murphy and Mim Fox as they delve into the nuanced and delicate role of social workers in supporting individuals through voluntary assisted dying. As the state of New South Wales, Australia prepares to introduce voluntary assisted dying later this month, Mim and Lis frame the conversation by highlighting how this emerging field of practice adds depth to the already established wider skillset of social work. The heart of the episode unfolds with a poignant story from a social...

This episode details the experience of a woman and her social worker seeking an abortion, but who face extreme barriers on multiple fronts to access the care and decision-making power she needs. This is certainly an episode NOT TO MISS! Join Mim and Lis as they navigate this heartwrenching and personal story from our anonymous social worker, as she details the work she does with her client/patient to support, care, and put her first. Please be mindful of yourselves in the listening of this...

In this episode, Lis invites expert special guest Jo McIlveen to come and listen to this moving story of a social worker's intervention using memory making for a grieving family in a hospital setting. Lis and Jo discuss the ins and outs of the story in such great detail, that we think you will want to know more about this kind of social work practice, whether you're working in end of life care or otherwise. Enjoy!   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister...

Ever thought that maybe taking a client, consumer, patient outside the four walls of your office and into the big, wide world to help with creating some change and perspective? Well this episode is the one to listen to! Join Lis and Mim (and their guests) as they explore 'nature as a co-therapist'.   Special Guests: Josh McLean - [email protected] Amanda Smith - [email protected] For more information on Bush Adventure Therapy, here's the link:...

Exciting news! We are introducing a new podcast project to you all. In this episode you'll hear all about the podcast we've been working on with the Agency for Clinical Innovation and NSW Health called 'Making Visible: Preventing and Responding to Violence, Abuse and Neglect'. We hope you enjoy it. Here's a link to the podcast webpage: https://bit.ly/42pIatp You can also search 'Making Visible: Preventing and Responding to Violence, Abuse, and Neglect' on your favourite podcasting...

We've all been there. That moment on a Friday afternoon, when things are calm and you've wrapped up the working week, about to clock-off and hit the weekend. Then... all hell breaks loose and you find yourself in a classic 'Friday Afternoon Special'. Join Mim and Lis as they listen to this Anonymous Social Worker's practice in the context of a family and domestic violence situation. The expert social work practice, alongside the grace and compassion shown, makes this episode not one to...

How do we measure a successful outcome in our practice? What would we consider a happy ending for the people we work with? Would they agree? In this episode, Mim and Lis explore a story from a social worker in the Early Intervention space. We hear what Early Intervention is, and the approaches for supporting families before their situation reaches a crisis point. Then we hear a powerful story about a family this social worker supported, the ins and outs of their work together, and some deeply...

You probably already know that around Social Work Stories, we’re big fans of stories from social workers who are in unique practice settings... so it's no question that we LOVED hearing this story.  In this episode, we mark World Social Work Day 2023! Then, we hear a powerful story from Jack about his time as a Police Social Worker, working with Pacific Islander youth in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Then Mim and Lis explore the complex layers of the story, including Jack's struggle to navigate his...

Ever wondered about what happens in a Family Conference? Well this is the episode that will bring you up to speed. Covering a diverse range of insights around the stages of a family conference, the skills you need to develop to undertake a conference competently, and the language you will use throughout, this anonymous social worker explores this and more in-depth. Join Mim and Lis as they then reflect on their own successes and challenges when conducting family conferences after listening to...

Our first episode of 2023 starts off with an incredible story of a Mental Health Social Worker in a Hospital Emergency Department. We hear about a patient who comes in needing support, and how the social worker makes quick decisions about his approach towards her needs. We hear a rich internal-dialogue of a skilled clinician going about their work, providing dignity, person-centred care, and a holistic approach in his practice. Mim and Lis then discuss the story, their own experiences, and a...

It's the end of another year, and to mark this space together, Lis and Mim sit down to have a conversation together about sharing stories in the supervision space. Our hope is to offer a different idea about the use of narrative reflection can bring a new richness into supervision, and can create a fresh value in this space. In the midst of the holidays, busyness and newness of a fresh year, we hope this brief conversation and a few moments of reflection are enjoyable and engaging for...

A very special episode of Social Work Stories - a recording from our very first LIVE SHOW!  As part of the ANZSWWER Symposium in early November, the team hosted a recording session of the podcast in front of a live audience, and we had such a great time. We're so excited to share this with you, and hope it's the first of many.  Join Lis, Mim, and a live audience as we hear from an anonymous social worker, who is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker, and who shares a story from a...

A quick update from the Social Work Stories Team - we are excited to announce our first ever LIVE SHOW!    Important details:Show time: Thursday, 10 November 2022 from 4:15 PM to 5:30 PM (AEDT) Location: RMIT University Melbourne City Campus Building 80, accessible venue Tickets: Free with registration! Click here to register and find all the info you need.   A little more about the show: We first launched the podcast at the ANZSWWER Symposium in 2018, and we're excited to return 4 years, and...

Ever heard from a social worker with an ongoing position in a school before? How about a social work student with an intensive field placement in a school? In this episode Mim & Lis sit down with Professor Myfanwy Maple of the University of New England (Australia) to talk through what might come from the opportunity of having social workers and social work field placements in schools. Enjoy the chat and expand your thinking as you listen along to this fantastic episode. We absolutely...

Join Mim and Lis as we listen to a story about narrative therapy, disenfranchised grief, and intensive work with mothers whose children have been removed. Hear about the importance of documenting people’s stories, working for justice, and navigating the politics of storytelling. Mim and Lis share their thoughts and reflections about this unique and fascinating practice space. We also put a call out to social workers doing this type of intensive outreach work - we’d love to hear from you!...

Join Mim and Lis as they sit down with Jo McIlveen for an in-depth conversation about social work in the bereavement space. Jo discusses companioning in end of life care, and brings in her extensive knowledge of research in the death & dying space that informs her practice in this area. Lis and Mim also share their own experience in this space, providing a rich discussion which will no-doubt bring a new lens to this topic area.  This conversation is oriented as an educational piece,...

You're on the ward, it's late at night, and your job is to assess the patient's belongings as part of hospital protocol. You open up a container that you find in the person's bag, and there staring back at you is a large, hairy, creepy spider... This story is sure to have you listening with keen ears to find out how it is that social workers can find even the smallest moments to practice respect for persons, offering dignity, trust, and a sense of control. Join Mim & Lis once again as...

Join Mim and Lis as we explore a harrowing story from a hospital social worker who was on the front lines of Covid-19 work, supporting families in a dedicated Covid ward. Listen as she shares her experience throughout wave-after-wave of variants, and the way this shaped the work she carried out. Remember to breathe as you listen - it could be easy to hold your breath as this practice story unfolds, feeling the deep emotion of the loss of life, the weight of the journey, and the way a team of...

Share some time with Mim & Lis as we listen to a piece by Julaine Allan together. Julaine talks about her work in the Drug and Alcohol space, focusing on the power of Narrative Therapy, the importance of language, and the value of holding other perspectives in social work practice.  Julaine shares wisdom and stories from her practice in an approachable and compelling segment. Mim and Lis discuss their thoughts and reflections, drawing on their own practice-backgrounds to explore the...

Death and dying... how do you prepare for the end of life?  Join Mim & Lis as we listen to a long-view story of death in a hospital. We explore what the social worker does over the course of two admissions, firstly helping to facilitate conversations with the elderly patient and his family members about what a good death looks like; and secondly exploring the actual end-of-life journey. This is a fantastic and compelling story told by a very experienced social worker - there are many...