Conferences & Events

National conferences. One of SWAN’s principle objectives is to bring together practitioners, students, carers, service users and academics through regular conferences and campaigning activities, which strengthen the radical voice within social work practice, education and wider social policy debates.

Conferences

SWAN held its first conference in Liverpool in 2004, and has since held national conferences in Glasgow, Birmingham and Bath among others places. The seventh conference will be held at Liverpool Hope University in March 2012. Please select the ‘Conferences’ link to find out more.

Events

SWAN regional groups also organise prominent events; this has gathered pace in opposition to the Coalition Government’s social policy agenda. Forthcoming events are listed in this section – please keep a close eye on it. In recent times the following regional events have taken place: SWAN West Midlands organised a joint meeting and campaign with Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC). SWAN South Yorkshire held a forum with Richard Wilkinson, co-author of the bestselling book on the benefits of equality, ‘The Spirit Level’. SWAN London coordinated half day seminars on ‘Resisting Cuts to Social Work Services’, ‘Personalisation’ and ‘Anti-racist practice’, which have included representatives from Black Activists Rising Against Cuts and Unite Against Fascism. SWAN Bristol arranged a meeting with Unison and Bristol Anti-Cuts Alliance entitled ‘Social Work in Danger: Re-imagining Social Work’.

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We want to develop a network of service users, practicitioners, academics and students to support radical and progressive social work. We need a social work that is ready to challenge oppressive practice, that means working collectively across the country and internationally to advance Social Work.