Resources

A Tribute to Michael Ridge: A Champion of The Rights of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities

A tribute to Michael Ridge, Community Social Worker SWAN was saddened to learn of the recent death of Community Social Worker and champion of the rights of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities, Michael Ridge. Thanks To Jenny Daly. Read More

Articles

How To Assess Needs Without Focusing Upon Cost: Lawful And Ethical Practice – A Resource

LAWFUL AND ETHICAL PRACTICE IN ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT PLANNING Advice for social workers Many social workers believe the ambitions of the Care Act are being thwarted by its implementation. They feel demoralised, and uneasy about the role they are being ... Read More

Factsheet For Practitioners And Campaigners – No Recourse To Public Funds

Download and share an information sheet here, designed to inform practice with those who cannot access public funds. Read More

CRSW Journal Special Issue: Psychopolitics in the Twenty First Century

We are pleased to announce the publication this week of a special issue of Critical and Radical Social Work journal on the theme of Psychopolitics in the Twenty First Century. Read More

SHAPING OUR LIVES – National Network of Service Users and Disabled People

Whether you are a service user, social worker or a student, familiarise yourself with this resource. Read More

Swan’s Iain Ferguson writes about Fromm, and alternatives to neo-liberal ideologies.

We live in unusual times. The dominant political discourse in the UK is neo-liberal, and increasingly, social work education courses are encouraged (forced?) to move away from critiquing this or allowing even brief consideration of Marxist viewpoints. Read More

What is Swan? Poster – Resource for All!

Many of you have been asking for something to display in universities, workplaces or to give to colleagues. please find attached a poster that you can download or print off as you wish! Read More

Manifesto 2004: The Foundations of Swan

In 2004, the following manifesto was released calling for the ethical core of social work to be respected and preserved, against increasing managerialism and privatisation under a New Labour government. Read More

Mental Health Charter with Updated Signatories – A Resource for All

The SWAN 2014 conference at Durham University saw a unanimous vote in favour of a Mental Health Charter, developed in response to the ballooning crisis in UK wide mental health services. Read More

Publications by Members of SWAN Ireland

Radical social work has a long history made up of rich material. Read More

Resources Article

Here we aim to provide a range of resources for use by members and groups. Check back often. Read More

Resources from SWAN Dublin event “Do We know what Human Rights and Social Justice Mean in the Ireland of Today”?

The Social Work Action Network Dublin recently held a successful event in Dublin city centre. The topics of human rights and social justice in social work were discussed. A clear outcome from the discussion was that attendees felt that social work does not currently have a voice in Ireland, in terms of being able to speak out to defend more critical or radical practices in social work, not being able to speak out on behalf of (or with) service users, not being able to speak up for communities, Read More

‘Can Openers’ the debut novel by Mal Jones

SWAN are pleased to announce the publication of the debut novel, Can Openers, by SWAN activist and shop steward, Mal Jones. The novel contemplates a future in which there is a comprehensively residualised and privatised welfare system. Can Openers is published by Rowanvale books, describe the book as a 'futuristic thriller [which] gives stark warning of where society may be heading'. Read More