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⌛
24th November 2020: Court of Appeal rules that the government acted unlawfully during the Covid-19 pandemic by removing safeguards for children during the first national lockdown, in a case brought by @article_39 www.communitycare.co.uk/2020/11/24/d...
24th November 2020: Court of Appeal rules that the government acted unlawfully during the Covid-19 pandemic by removing safeguards for children during the first national lockdown, in a case brought by @article_39 www.communitycare.co.uk/2020/11/24/d...
Children in care regulations consultation 'unlawful', court finds
The DfE acted unlawfully in failing to consult parties representing children's rights before amending regulations protecting children in care, judges ruled.
www.communitycare.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 10:09 AM
This day in social work history⌛
24th November 2020: Court of Appeal rules that the government acted unlawfully during the Covid-19 pandemic by removing safeguards for children during the first national lockdown, in a case brought by @article_39 www.communitycare.co.uk/2020/11/24/d...
24th November 2020: Court of Appeal rules that the government acted unlawfully during the Covid-19 pandemic by removing safeguards for children during the first national lockdown, in a case brought by @article_39 www.communitycare.co.uk/2020/11/24/d...
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 ⏳
4th October 2021: Following widespread criticism for not having social worker representation on their board since they were founded, the regulator of social workers in England, Social Work England, finally appoints two registered social workers.
4th October 2021: Following widespread criticism for not having social worker representation on their board since they were founded, the regulator of social workers in England, Social Work England, finally appoints two registered social workers.
October 4, 2025 at 8:40 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
4th October 2021: Following widespread criticism for not having social worker representation on their board since they were founded, the regulator of social workers in England, Social Work England, finally appoints two registered social workers.
4th October 2021: Following widespread criticism for not having social worker representation on their board since they were founded, the regulator of social workers in England, Social Work England, finally appoints two registered social workers.
This day in social work history⏳
1st October 1971: The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) was established to regulate social work training and education across the UK. It would last until 2001.
1st October 1971: The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) was established to regulate social work training and education across the UK. It would last until 2001.
October 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
This day in social work history⏳
1st October 1971: The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) was established to regulate social work training and education across the UK. It would last until 2001.
1st October 1971: The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) was established to regulate social work training and education across the UK. It would last until 2001.
This day in social work history ⏳
30th September 2013: Olive Stevenson, social worker and academic, died. Stevenson was part of Maria Colwell inquiry, and was a founding editor of @BJofSW. See @CommunityCare recent tribute: www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/08/07/a...
30th September 2013: Olive Stevenson, social worker and academic, died. Stevenson was part of Maria Colwell inquiry, and was a founding editor of @BJofSW. See @CommunityCare recent tribute: www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/08/07/a...
'A true doyen of social work': the life and influence of Olive Stevenson - Community Care
Professors David Howe, June Thoburn and Ray Jones reflect on Olive Stevenson's influence on the social work sector and their careers.
www.communitycare.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
30th September 2013: Olive Stevenson, social worker and academic, died. Stevenson was part of Maria Colwell inquiry, and was a founding editor of @BJofSW. See @CommunityCare recent tribute: www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/08/07/a...
30th September 2013: Olive Stevenson, social worker and academic, died. Stevenson was part of Maria Colwell inquiry, and was a founding editor of @BJofSW. See @CommunityCare recent tribute: www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/08/07/a...
This day in social work history ⏳
26th September 1876: Edith Abbott born in Nebraska, USA. Abbott advocated for social work education at a graduate level, and became the Dean of @UChicagoCrown, the first female dean of any graduate school in the USA. crownschool.uchicago.edu/about/histor...
26th September 1876: Edith Abbott born in Nebraska, USA. Abbott advocated for social work education at a graduate level, and became the Dean of @UChicagoCrown, the first female dean of any graduate school in the USA. crownschool.uchicago.edu/about/histor...
Edith Abbott
Image
crownschool.uchicago.edu
September 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
26th September 1876: Edith Abbott born in Nebraska, USA. Abbott advocated for social work education at a graduate level, and became the Dean of @UChicagoCrown, the first female dean of any graduate school in the USA. crownschool.uchicago.edu/about/histor...
26th September 1876: Edith Abbott born in Nebraska, USA. Abbott advocated for social work education at a graduate level, and became the Dean of @UChicagoCrown, the first female dean of any graduate school in the USA. crownschool.uchicago.edu/about/histor...
Still time to register for Thursday's (25 September 2025) event in London: Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future. 14:00 to 16:00. Booking and details here:
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future | King's College London
Joe Hanley; James Blewett; Jane Tunstill; June Thoburn
www.kcl.ac.uk
September 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Still time to register for Thursday's (25 September 2025) event in London: Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future. 14:00 to 16:00. Booking and details here:
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
Reposted by Social Work History Network
Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future
#swhn @socwkhistory.bsky.social
Joe Hanley, Jane Tunstill, James Blewett, June Thoburn
25 September 2025 14:00 to 16:00
All welcome!
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
#swhn @socwkhistory.bsky.social
Joe Hanley, Jane Tunstill, James Blewett, June Thoburn
25 September 2025 14:00 to 16:00
All welcome!
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future | King's College London
Joe Hanley; James Blewett; Jane Tunstill; June Thoburn
www.kcl.ac.uk
September 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future
#swhn @socwkhistory.bsky.social
Joe Hanley, Jane Tunstill, James Blewett, June Thoburn
25 September 2025 14:00 to 16:00
All welcome!
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
#swhn @socwkhistory.bsky.social
Joe Hanley, Jane Tunstill, James Blewett, June Thoburn
25 September 2025 14:00 to 16:00
All welcome!
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
Notification of upcoming event from our network: 'Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future'.
Speakers: Joe Hanley, Jane Tunstill, James Blewett and June Thoburn. All the Js!
25 September 2025 14:00 to 16:00 in London. All welcome!
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
Speakers: Joe Hanley, Jane Tunstill, James Blewett and June Thoburn. All the Js!
25 September 2025 14:00 to 16:00 in London. All welcome!
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future | King's College London
Joe Hanley; James Blewett; Jane Tunstill; June Thoburn
www.kcl.ac.uk
September 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Notification of upcoming event from our network: 'Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future'.
Speakers: Joe Hanley, Jane Tunstill, James Blewett and June Thoburn. All the Js!
25 September 2025 14:00 to 16:00 in London. All welcome!
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
Speakers: Joe Hanley, Jane Tunstill, James Blewett and June Thoburn. All the Js!
25 September 2025 14:00 to 16:00 in London. All welcome!
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/socia...
This day in social work history ⏳
10th August 2010: Josh MacAlister, now Labour MP, published first proposal for what would become social work fast-track Frontline: “a dedicated social enterprise can meet its goals better than a government department”
archive.progressivebritain.org/2010/08/10/c...
10th August 2010: Josh MacAlister, now Labour MP, published first proposal for what would become social work fast-track Frontline: “a dedicated social enterprise can meet its goals better than a government department”
archive.progressivebritain.org/2010/08/10/c...
Care First | Progress | News and debate from the progressive community
archive.progressivebritain.org
August 10, 2025 at 1:02 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
10th August 2010: Josh MacAlister, now Labour MP, published first proposal for what would become social work fast-track Frontline: “a dedicated social enterprise can meet its goals better than a government department”
archive.progressivebritain.org/2010/08/10/c...
10th August 2010: Josh MacAlister, now Labour MP, published first proposal for what would become social work fast-track Frontline: “a dedicated social enterprise can meet its goals better than a government department”
archive.progressivebritain.org/2010/08/10/c...
This day in social work history ⏳
9th August 1956: International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) formed and first executive committee elected. Original 12 members: Australia, England, Belgium, France, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland & USA.
9th August 1956: International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) formed and first executive committee elected. Original 12 members: Australia, England, Belgium, France, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland & USA.
August 9, 2025 at 2:38 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
9th August 1956: International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) formed and first executive committee elected. Original 12 members: Australia, England, Belgium, France, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland & USA.
9th August 1956: International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) formed and first executive committee elected. Original 12 members: Australia, England, Belgium, France, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland & USA.
This day in social work history ⏳
1st August 2012: The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) takes over regulatory responsibility for social workers in England from the General Social Care Council (GSCC), abolished as part of the “bonfire of the quangos”.
1st August 2012: The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) takes over regulatory responsibility for social workers in England from the General Social Care Council (GSCC), abolished as part of the “bonfire of the quangos”.
August 1, 2025 at 9:05 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
1st August 2012: The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) takes over regulatory responsibility for social workers in England from the General Social Care Council (GSCC), abolished as part of the “bonfire of the quangos”.
1st August 2012: The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) takes over regulatory responsibility for social workers in England from the General Social Care Council (GSCC), abolished as part of the “bonfire of the quangos”.
This day in social work history ⏳
28th July 1957: Edith Abbott died in Nebraska, USA (age 80). Abbott advocated for social work education at a graduate level, and became the first female dean of any graduate school in the USA (University of Chicago). crownschool.uchicago.edu/about/histor...
28th July 1957: Edith Abbott died in Nebraska, USA (age 80). Abbott advocated for social work education at a graduate level, and became the first female dean of any graduate school in the USA (University of Chicago). crownschool.uchicago.edu/about/histor...
Edith Abbott
Image
crownschool.uchicago.edu
July 28, 2025 at 2:09 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
28th July 1957: Edith Abbott died in Nebraska, USA (age 80). Abbott advocated for social work education at a graduate level, and became the first female dean of any graduate school in the USA (University of Chicago). crownschool.uchicago.edu/about/histor...
28th July 1957: Edith Abbott died in Nebraska, USA (age 80). Abbott advocated for social work education at a graduate level, and became the first female dean of any graduate school in the USA (University of Chicago). crownschool.uchicago.edu/about/histor...
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.
Reposted by Social Work History Network
#HistNursing 💙
Cicely Saunders Archive is held at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Archive, you can view the catalogue here archives.kingscollections.org/index.php/k-...
Cicely Saunders Archive is held at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Archive, you can view the catalogue here archives.kingscollections.org/index.php/k-...
July 14, 2025 at 11:04 AM
#HistNursing 💙
Cicely Saunders Archive is held at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Archive, you can view the catalogue here archives.kingscollections.org/index.php/k-...
Cicely Saunders Archive is held at @kingscollegelondon.bsky.social Archive, you can view the catalogue here archives.kingscollections.org/index.php/k-...
This day in social work history ⏳
14th July 2005: Cicely Saunders, nurse, social worker, physician and writer, died in Bromley (aged 97). Saunders was the founder of St Christopher’s Hospice, considered to be the first modern hospice.
14th July 2005: Cicely Saunders, nurse, social worker, physician and writer, died in Bromley (aged 97). Saunders was the founder of St Christopher’s Hospice, considered to be the first modern hospice.
July 14, 2025 at 10:40 AM
This day in social work history ⏳
14th July 2005: Cicely Saunders, nurse, social worker, physician and writer, died in Bromley (aged 97). Saunders was the founder of St Christopher’s Hospice, considered to be the first modern hospice.
14th July 2005: Cicely Saunders, nurse, social worker, physician and writer, died in Bromley (aged 97). Saunders was the founder of St Christopher’s Hospice, considered to be the first modern hospice.
This day in social work history ⏳
11th-14th July 1932: The Second Annual Conference of Social Work held in Frankfurt, Germany, attended by 1200 delegates from 34 countries.
11th-14th July 1932: The Second Annual Conference of Social Work held in Frankfurt, Germany, attended by 1200 delegates from 34 countries.
July 11, 2025 at 12:09 PM
This day in social work history ⏳
11th-14th July 1932: The Second Annual Conference of Social Work held in Frankfurt, Germany, attended by 1200 delegates from 34 countries.
11th-14th July 1932: The Second Annual Conference of Social Work held in Frankfurt, Germany, attended by 1200 delegates from 34 countries.
One year ago today 📅
9th July 2024: Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East since 2018, and former fostering social worker, appointed as Minister for Children under the recently elected Labour Government. www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/07/22/f...
9th July 2024: Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East since 2018, and former fostering social worker, appointed as Minister for Children under the recently elected Labour Government. www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/07/22/f...
Former social worker confirmed as minister for children's social care - Community Care
Janet Daby will be more focused on social care than her predecessors as children's minister, with SEND and early years placed with colleagues
www.communitycare.co.uk
July 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
One year ago today 📅
9th July 2024: Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East since 2018, and former fostering social worker, appointed as Minister for Children under the recently elected Labour Government. www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/07/22/f...
9th July 2024: Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East since 2018, and former fostering social worker, appointed as Minister for Children under the recently elected Labour Government. www.communitycare.co.uk/2024/07/22/f...
This day in social work history⏳
8-13th July 1928: The first International Conference of Social Work held in Paris, France, involving 5,000 delegates from 42 countries.
8-13th July 1928: The first International Conference of Social Work held in Paris, France, involving 5,000 delegates from 42 countries.
July 8, 2025 at 9:03 AM
This day in social work history⏳
8-13th July 1928: The first International Conference of Social Work held in Paris, France, involving 5,000 delegates from 42 countries.
8-13th July 1928: The first International Conference of Social Work held in Paris, France, involving 5,000 delegates from 42 countries.
Reposted by Social Work History Network
Recording & slides from this week's @socwkhistory.bsky.social look back at Sure Start are available via:
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/the-s...
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/the-s...
The Sure Start programme: a crucial chapter in the history of UK family support
Naomi Eisenstadt CB; Dr Carl Purcell
www.kcl.ac.uk
July 4, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Recording & slides from this week's @socwkhistory.bsky.social look back at Sure Start are available via:
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/the-s...
www.kcl.ac.uk/events/the-s...