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Social workers doubt Josh MacAlister will have positive impact as children's minister - Community Care

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · 5d

"Only 16% of respondents thought [Josh MacAlister] would have a positive impact..."
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/10/03/s...

As Josh MacAlister assumes responsibility for the care reforms, most social workers report negative or no expectations of his influence

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · 9d

Our research team are still looking to interview more social work academics and people involved in employing social workers, with a focus on coastal communities. If that sounds like you it would be great to hear from you. Please contact [email protected]. More details:

Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future | King's College London

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · 15d

I’m presenting at this event at 2pm in London on Thursday with @socwkhistory.bsky.social

Time travelers have already been, said it was great. Come along... or came along??

Social Work History Network @socwkhistory.bsky.social · 15d

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...

Joe Hanley; James Blewett; Jane Tunstill; June Thoburn

www.kcl.ac.uk

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · 18d

Josh MacAlister’s appointment as Children’s Minister isn’t landing well with practitioners, per this @CommunityCare poll.
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/09/17/o...

One in seven practitioners say they will leave social work over registration fee hike, poll finds - Community Care

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · 20d

'One in seven practitioners say they will leave social work over registration fee hike' - even if this doesn't come to fruition, that so many SWs are even thinking about giving up their registration and livelihood shows extent of anger at the regulator.
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/09/17/o...

Following Social Work England's 33% increase in the annual registration renewal fee, 14% of practitioners say they plan to boycott paying it

Barclays boss urges UK ministers to limit public sector pay rises

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Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · 25d

Barclays CEO on £10.5m salary wants public sector pay capped, while the bank collaborates with charities like Teach First and Frontline that claim to be supporting those same workers 🙄
www.theguardian.com/business/202...

TUC says CS Venkatakrishnan has ‘brass neck’ calling for curbs when his pay packet has doubled to £10.5m

www.theguardian.com

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Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · 28d

Great Scott! I’m pleased to be contributing to an event on 25th September at 2pm in London, exploring social work policy networks through a historical lens and with a view towards the future... Dust off your DeLorean and come along!

Social Work History Network @socwkhistory.bsky.social · 28d

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...

Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future | King's College London

Joe Hanley; James Blewett; Jane Tunstill; June Thoburn

www.kcl.ac.uk

Reposted by Joe Hanley

Social Work History Network @socwkhistory.bsky.social · 28d

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...

Social Work Networks: Past, Present and Future | King's College London

Joe Hanley; James Blewett; Jane Tunstill; June Thoburn

www.kcl.ac.uk

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Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Sep 7

Curious about Josh MacAlister, the new Junior Minister at the Department for Education, and why his appointment is concerning? Here's a piece I wrote for @northwestbylines.co.uk last year. It's a good place to start:
northwestbylines.co.uk/politics/gov...

The Govian Candidate: Josh MacAlister for Whitehaven and Workington

Joe Hanley exposes the impact of soul mates Conservative Michael Gove and Labour high flyer Josh MacAlister, on government’s social policies

northwestbylines.co.uk

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Reposted by Joe Hanley

Social Workers Union @swu-uk.bsky.social · Sep 6

At the #SWUConference Dr @joehanley.bsky.social reflects on issues that social workers are experiencing, looks at social work workplace activism as it exists in 2025, and asks the fundamental question: should social workers just give up, or can they stand up to the challenges they face?

DfE cuts £74m from offer to bidders for Teach First contract

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Sep 6

Great day at the #SWUConference 2025. Lots of solidarity and hope shared from the varied speakers. Thanks to @swu-uk.bsky.social for the invitation to be a lil part of it.

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Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Sep 3

I (& basically everyone) agree that a company like Serco getting the cut-down Teach First contract would be terrible, but they only have the opportunity to bid because Teach First have systematically opened up ITE to private sector for decades. Can't ignore that.
www.tes.com/magazine/new...

The DfE has also reduced the recruitment target for the Future High Potential Initial Teacher Training scheme by 750 trainees a year

www.tes.com

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Reposted by Joe Hanley

Social Workers Union @swu-uk.bsky.social · Aug 29

Thrilled to announce the brilliant keynote speakers for our upcoming SWU Conference - Vivian Okeze-Tirado, Neil Thompson, Tricia Pereira & Godfred Boahen, Gawain Little, and Joe Hanley.

All from the world of social work are welcome! Book your FREE place today: swu-union.org.uk/2025/08/swu-...

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Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Sep 1

Not long now! This Saturday I'll be speaking as part of the @swu-uk.bsky.social Conference 2025 in Manchester on solidarity and activism in the social work workplace. Register (free) and come along:
swu-union.org.uk/swu-conferen...

SWU Conference 2025: Solidarity at Work - SWU Social Workers Union

Saturday 6th September 20259:30am to 4:30pmat the historicMechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD The Social Workers Union (SWU) invites all of our members and social work colleagu...

swu-union.org.uk

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Aug 26

I reckon I am biased but I think this list of speakers for the upcoming @swu-uk.bsky.social. Conference on 6th September in Manchester is really superb. Looking forward to the opportunity to talk all things solidarity & activism. More details and booking (free) here: swu-union.org.uk/swu-conference

The proposal from Haifa that the global definition of social work ought to be ‘reconstructed’: A critical commentary

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Aug 25

Really enjoyed being part of the Festival of Politics at the Scottish Parliament last week, talking about how social work can help build stronger communities and a healthier democracy w/ Caroline MacDonald, Vivien Thomson & Fulton McGregor et al. Great to catch a bit of my first Fringe too!

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Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Aug 19

Builds off/links to this other recent article of his about the context and implications of social work research stemming from Israel.
academic.oup.com/bjsw/advance...

In October 2024, the British Journal of Social Work published an article from Israel ‘revisiting’ the International Federation of Social Workers’ global de

academic.oup.com

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Aug 19

Interesting/important article from Paul Michael Garrett analysing the multiple censures of the Israeli Union of Social Workers (IUSW) by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW).
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Hegemony and settler colonial subjectivities: The censure of the Israeli Union of Social Workers (IUSW) by the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) - Paul Michael Garrett, 2025

In March 2018, and again in January 2025, the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) censured the Israeli Union of Social Workers (IUSW) for its fail...

journals.sagepub.com

Fitness to practise case timeframes cut in Scotland - Community Care

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Aug 16

Scottish Social Services Council who, like Social Work England, saw a rise in Fitness to Practice referrals, still managed to reduce the length they take to resolve (although still too long). Fees also lower in Scotland.
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/15/f...

Despite rising number of fitness to practise referrals, Scottish Social Services Council has cut the time taken to close cases

Huge rise in fitness to practise concerns about social workers - Community Care

Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Aug 14

Interesting stats from @community-care.bsky.social . Just 3 out of 730 referrals to Social Work England by the public end up with removal from the register (0.4%). Compared to 14 of 228 referrals from employers (6%). Those 17 removals equate to 0.016% of SWs.
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/14/h...

Rise driven by concerns from members of the public, the overwhelming majority of which are rejected by regulator at initial stage

Can social work save communities and democracy? - Buy tickets

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Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Aug 12

There have been strong critical sentiments expressed about the Social Worker Awards previously. But I think this is the first time that I have seen someone actually refuse a nomination. I would have thought people would be asked prior to being listed?
www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/07/s...

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Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Aug 11

On 22nd August I will be taking part in a panel event at the Scottish Parliament as part of the Festival of Politics on the topic of: 'Can social work save communities and democracy?'. Details and booking:
festivalofpolitics.citizenticket.co.uk/events/festi...

Join the panel to explore how social work can help communities overcome the barriers of poverty, disability and discrimination that exclude many from participating fully in the decisions that affect t...

festivalofpolitics.citizenticket.co.uk

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Joe Hanley @joehanley.bsky.social · Aug 7

Grateful and proud to have been asked to present as part of the @swu-uk.bsky.social Conference in Manchester on 6th September (free to attend). The theme is vitally important for the future of social work: Solidarity.

Details and booking here:
basw.co.uk/events/swu-c...

SWU Conference 2025: Solidarity at Work

basw.co.uk