Paul Blakeman
@paul-sw.bsky.social
Professional lead for social work and Greener NHS Lead in a NHS Mental Health Trust in the East Midlands of England. Green Party member, ex- academic, science lover, guitar messer, and advocate for personalisation & rights-based practice.
Just on my travels and came across this beauty. The Hundekop (Dog's head) loco near Maastricht. What a cute engine! #train #DutchRailway
September 11, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Just on my travels and came across this beauty. The Hundekop (Dog's head) loco near Maastricht. What a cute engine! #train #DutchRailway
It's really good to see this from a sitting MP. As an academic, I used to tell my students that social media will be seen in the future as smoking is now- an intolerable public health problem that was willfully ignored to appease billionaires.
Let's hope we get somewhere with this.
Let's hope we get somewhere with this.
We need to talk about the threat X poses to our shared values as a country.
This is bigger than just one platform: it’s about the way our democracy is being reshaped by an engagement model that rewards outrage above all else. 1/7
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
This is bigger than just one platform: it’s about the way our democracy is being reshaped by an engagement model that rewards outrage above all else. 1/7
www.politicshome.com/news/article...
Ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe Has Earned £40k For Posting On X
Independent MP Rupert Lowe has earned nearly £40,000 from posting on Elon Musk’s social media platform X since his election last year, far surpassi...
www.politicshome.com
September 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM
It's really good to see this from a sitting MP. As an academic, I used to tell my students that social media will be seen in the future as smoking is now- an intolerable public health problem that was willfully ignored to appease billionaires.
Let's hope we get somewhere with this.
Let's hope we get somewhere with this.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
So it's irrelevant if you think this is caused by humans or not. If it's happening in one place, it's happening everywhere. If a global problem that is affecting everything doesn't pull us together, what the hell will?.
So it's irrelevant if you think this is caused by humans or not. If it's happening in one place, it's happening everywhere. If a global problem that is affecting everything doesn't pull us together, what the hell will?.
UK experienced its hottest summer on record in 2025, Met Office says
Mean temperature over June, July and August was 16.1C as country endured four heatwaves
www.theguardian.com
September 1, 2025 at 3:17 PM
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
So it's irrelevant if you think this is caused by humans or not. If it's happening in one place, it's happening everywhere. If a global problem that is affecting everything doesn't pull us together, what the hell will?.
So it's irrelevant if you think this is caused by humans or not. If it's happening in one place, it's happening everywhere. If a global problem that is affecting everything doesn't pull us together, what the hell will?.
Something to cheer the stoniest of hearts: a hummingbird hawk moth, a tortoiseshell, two amorous Burnetts, and a camera shy Knot Grass moth. All in the Peak District of England. #Nature #Beautiful
July 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Something to cheer the stoniest of hearts: a hummingbird hawk moth, a tortoiseshell, two amorous Burnetts, and a camera shy Knot Grass moth. All in the Peak District of England. #Nature #Beautiful
It must be that time of the year. Moths abound! Both found in the Peak District whilst I was cycling around. Great to see!
June 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
It must be that time of the year. Moths abound! Both found in the Peak District whilst I was cycling around. Great to see!
There's a great practice point here around demonstrating the steps we have taken to alleviate the person's doubts about how we will use the information they supply, and how unwise decisions do not equate to a capacity issue. Both are live practise concerns.
“She’s only telling us what we want to hear”. No-one’s compliance is more disguised than our own.
#socialwork
socialworkcatsandrocketscience.com/2019/05/05/t...
#socialwork
socialworkcatsandrocketscience.com/2019/05/05/t...
Telling us what we want to hear
A guest blog by @DickyBiscuit In this blog post, I will consider a particular phrase I’ve come across, which is used sometimes by a minority of professionals in assessment records. When used…
socialworkcatsandrocketscience.com
May 31, 2025 at 9:15 AM
There's a great practice point here around demonstrating the steps we have taken to alleviate the person's doubts about how we will use the information they supply, and how unwise decisions do not equate to a capacity issue. Both are live practise concerns.
bsky.app/profile/that... Ah so good to find this on here. A "must have" for cricket lovers!
bsky.app
May 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
bsky.app/profile/that... Ah so good to find this on here. A "must have" for cricket lovers!
Reposted by Paul Blakeman
🚘 FREE DRIVING LESSONS FOR REFUGEES?!
If you've seen those headlines and felt a twinge of outrage, you're not alone.
But let's take a closer look at who's actually getting these lessons and why.
🧵
1/16
If you've seen those headlines and felt a twinge of outrage, you're not alone.
But let's take a closer look at who's actually getting these lessons and why.
🧵
1/16
May 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM
🚘 FREE DRIVING LESSONS FOR REFUGEES?!
If you've seen those headlines and felt a twinge of outrage, you're not alone.
But let's take a closer look at who's actually getting these lessons and why.
🧵
1/16
If you've seen those headlines and felt a twinge of outrage, you're not alone.
But let's take a closer look at who's actually getting these lessons and why.
🧵
1/16
Reposted by Paul Blakeman
Gonna get lost under the news avalanche that is the local election results, but here are the 'Term of Reference' for Baroness Louise Casey's commission on adult social care. Bit of a cloudy soup I thought www.gov.uk/government/p...
Independent commission into adult social care: terms of reference
www.gov.uk
May 2, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Gonna get lost under the news avalanche that is the local election results, but here are the 'Term of Reference' for Baroness Louise Casey's commission on adult social care. Bit of a cloudy soup I thought www.gov.uk/government/p...
So the two party political system seems to be done now. NHS England and the iCB's likewise. Local authorities are reorganising, NATO is on the rocks, and we're looking for a new Pope. Did someone wish really hard to live in interesting times???
May 2, 2025 at 1:12 PM
So the two party political system seems to be done now. NHS England and the iCB's likewise. Local authorities are reorganising, NATO is on the rocks, and we're looking for a new Pope. Did someone wish really hard to live in interesting times???
A typically excellent thread from someone who understands the difference between data and dogma.
What this continued briefing against the OBR shows, of course, is that ultimately the HO/No 10 doesn't actually have any subtance/evidence behind their arguments that cutting migration at the cost of growth has economic/political benefits
So they need to make some up. (Ends)
So they need to make some up. (Ends)
April 26, 2025 at 11:29 AM
A typically excellent thread from someone who understands the difference between data and dogma.
@covertshores.bsky.social Great to be at a graduation event at the University of Derby today. I gave a talk on NHS Social Work. Always good to meet the next generation 😁
April 10, 2025 at 10:36 AM
@covertshores.bsky.social Great to be at a graduation event at the University of Derby today. I gave a talk on NHS Social Work. Always good to meet the next generation 😁
I do wonder if something big- beyond a National Care Service- is on the cards. Having seen the "reforms" of the NHS I would not be surprised if all social care functions were removed from LA providers and merged into the NHS. I'm not making any judgement about the wisdom of this. Thoughts anyone?
In the coming months, the government will share it's plan to fix the NHS, but there's currently no plan for social care.
We found that satisfaction with social care is at a record low of just 13%.
Read more about the #BritishSocialAttitudes survey: buff.ly/ZgA3hCG
We found that satisfaction with social care is at a record low of just 13%.
Read more about the #BritishSocialAttitudes survey: buff.ly/ZgA3hCG
April 5, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I do wonder if something big- beyond a National Care Service- is on the cards. Having seen the "reforms" of the NHS I would not be surprised if all social care functions were removed from LA providers and merged into the NHS. I'm not making any judgement about the wisdom of this. Thoughts anyone?
And I for one welcome our new Penguiny overlords...
Trump throws tariffs tantrums, Heard and McDonalds Island go straight to military action. Decisive
April 5, 2025 at 9:42 AM
And I for one welcome our new Penguiny overlords...
Reposted by Paul Blakeman
NEW BLOG - "The 135 / 136 Amendment"
My observations on the UK House of Lords vote to extend legal powers to remove someone to a Place of Safety beyond the police to a wider group called the "authorised person".
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/t...
My observations on the UK House of Lords vote to extend legal powers to remove someone to a Place of Safety beyond the police to a wider group called the "authorised person".
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/t...
The 135/136 Amendment
It was an eventful night in the UK’s House of Lords on Monday evening and my phone / email has been going all day long today. Thank goodness I always have *ALL* my notifications turned off! …
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com
April 2, 2025 at 7:12 AM
NEW BLOG - "The 135 / 136 Amendment"
My observations on the UK House of Lords vote to extend legal powers to remove someone to a Place of Safety beyond the police to a wider group called the "authorised person".
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/t...
My observations on the UK House of Lords vote to extend legal powers to remove someone to a Place of Safety beyond the police to a wider group called the "authorised person".
mentalhealthcop.wordpress.com/2025/04/02/t...
Well worth a read. And as the Casey review will explore models of care, organisation, and funding, nothing will happen until she's reported. And then it will need to be implemented which may require enacting legislation. So no obvious route to improvement in sight.
Public satisfaction with adult #socialcare remains at an all-time low, with just 13% of people saying they are very or quite satisfied, according to the new British Social Attitudes survey. But we’re still at least 2.5 years away from promise of reform. Short thread ⬇️
April 2, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Well worth a read. And as the Casey review will explore models of care, organisation, and funding, nothing will happen until she's reported. And then it will need to be implemented which may require enacting legislation. So no obvious route to improvement in sight.
This is good for anyone trying to understand the #NHSEngland news today: www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...
The Reshaping Of NHS National Bodies Has Only Just Started. How Will It Finish? | The King's Fund
Following the announcement that NHS England is to be abolished, Siva Anandaciva considers the implications and why at the moment there are more questions than answers.
www.kingsfund.org.uk
March 13, 2025 at 6:45 PM
This is good for anyone trying to understand the #NHSEngland news today: www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...
Just a shout out to NHS England staff today. Horrible day for everyone. And let's remember: NHSE isn't just policy and "duplicated services". They support data reporting & interpretation, NetZero, and highly skilled improvement support across the NHS. So who is going to do this now? Big loss!
March 13, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Just a shout out to NHS England staff today. Horrible day for everyone. And let's remember: NHSE isn't just policy and "duplicated services". They support data reporting & interpretation, NetZero, and highly skilled improvement support across the NHS. So who is going to do this now? Big loss!
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
Ah. What could have possibly changed since November that has led fossil fuels to double down??
Ah. What could have possibly changed since November that has led fossil fuels to double down??
Exclusive: BP to ditch renewables goals and return focus to fossil fuels
BP's chief executive will scrap a target to increase renewable generation 20-fold by 2030, returning the focus to fossil fuels, as part of a strategy shift announced on Wednesday to tackle investor concerns over earnings, two sources told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:04 PM
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
Ah. What could have possibly changed since November that has led fossil fuels to double down??
Ah. What could have possibly changed since November that has led fossil fuels to double down??
So with the publication of this year's planning guidance for MH services, the focus on flow and ER contacts can also open the doors for personalisation & community-focused action. I've been discussing this with key ICS staff for some time, and I'm wondering now if people will be open to new ideas?
January 31, 2025 at 3:54 PM
So with the publication of this year's planning guidance for MH services, the focus on flow and ER contacts can also open the doors for personalisation & community-focused action. I've been discussing this with key ICS staff for some time, and I'm wondering now if people will be open to new ideas?
Ed has also shown that the UK has become 15% wetter in the last 200 years. Other studies (Cruz et al 2020) show how extreme UK weather (like flooding) increases MH morbidity. Another reason for making carbon reduction a priority.
January 13, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Ed has also shown that the UK has become 15% wetter in the last 200 years. Other studies (Cruz et al 2020) show how extreme UK weather (like flooding) increases MH morbidity. Another reason for making carbon reduction a priority.
It's great to see so much chat about #SocialCare here, but most focus on how to"fix" the existing system. We should focus on what outcomes we as a society want to achieve, then work out the combination of agencies & assets needed to achieve them. Most SC issues are not solvable by a single agency.
January 11, 2025 at 9:32 AM
It's great to see so much chat about #SocialCare here, but most focus on how to"fix" the existing system. We should focus on what outcomes we as a society want to achieve, then work out the combination of agencies & assets needed to achieve them. Most SC issues are not solvable by a single agency.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Really concerning that it's happening, but think of the unnecessary admissions and treatment. I really hope we'll see a more joined up approach between #PublicHealth and #NHS / #SocialCare policy in future. Siloing had been nothing but harmful.
Really concerning that it's happening, but think of the unnecessary admissions and treatment. I really hope we'll see a more joined up approach between #PublicHealth and #NHS / #SocialCare policy in future. Siloing had been nothing but harmful.
Hospital admissions for lack of vitamins soaring in England, NHS figures show
Admissions for vitamin or iron deficiencies up by more than 10% year on year and as much as tenfold on 1998-99
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2025 at 12:11 PM
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Really concerning that it's happening, but think of the unnecessary admissions and treatment. I really hope we'll see a more joined up approach between #PublicHealth and #NHS / #SocialCare policy in future. Siloing had been nothing but harmful.
Really concerning that it's happening, but think of the unnecessary admissions and treatment. I really hope we'll see a more joined up approach between #PublicHealth and #NHS / #SocialCare policy in future. Siloing had been nothing but harmful.
I guess we could try making the societies we live in less toxic? Offered solutions are usually better science maintain the status quo without consequence), or for greater personal personal responsibility. What about radical reform of our wealth & income distributions? These break societies. N/1
🌍Global #MentalHealth ‘pandemic’ hits #WorkPlaces
According to the World Health Organization @who.int and the International Labour Organization, about 12bn working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy $1tn annually.
www.ft.com/content/81ee...
According to the World Health Organization @who.int and the International Labour Organization, about 12bn working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy $1tn annually.
www.ft.com/content/81ee...
Global mental health crisis hits workplaces
About 12bn working days lost to depression and anxiety each year, costing global economy $1tn
www.ft.com
December 16, 2024 at 11:58 AM
I guess we could try making the societies we live in less toxic? Offered solutions are usually better science maintain the status quo without consequence), or for greater personal personal responsibility. What about radical reform of our wealth & income distributions? These break societies. N/1