London ‘Crisis In Mental Health’ Day Conference, November 2014

London ‘Crisis In Mental Health’ Day Conference, November 2014

Jeremy Weinstein of SWAN London reports from the recent 'Crisis in Mental Health' meeting on 8th November. The day was a packed and enthusiastic affair, following on from similar conferences in Bristol and Oxford. The hall we met in was packed and a second room had stalls from DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts), CoolTan Arts, Unison and a Bookmarks bookstall. Amongst the audience were practitioners from nine London boroughs and a range of service user groups, the most prominent being DPAC, several MIND groups and the Movement for an Adoption Apology. Read More
Educators and Researchers Stand up for Social Work!!
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Educators and Researchers Stand up for Social Work!!

On Friday  (17 October, 2014) the annual meeting of the ‘All Ireland Social Work Educators and Researchers’ Forum’ took place. Held this year at the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway and representing  social work educators, located in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, this motion was agreed; Read More
SWAN’s response to Clegg’s new mental health funding

SWAN’s response to Clegg’s new mental health funding

Nick Clegg pronounced, in his speech to the LibDem conference, that there was ‘outrageous discrimination’ in how the NHS responded to individuals with mental health problems and promised new funding to breach the gap between physical and psychological treatments. According to the Guardian (8.10.14) ‘mental health campaigners’ welcomed this as ‘a significant advance’. Read More
In memoriam – Rona Woodward
Articles

In memoriam – Rona Woodward

SWAN has received news that this morning (Wednesday 8th October 2014) our friend and colleague, Rona Woodward (McLeod), lecturer in social work at the University of Stirling, Scotland passed away this morning after a long illness. The following piece is a short tribute by SWAN founding member and close colleague of Rona's, Iain Ferguson. Read More
Letter to Sir Albert Bore – underinvestment in Birmingham children’s social care
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Letter to Sir Albert Bore – underinvestment in Birmingham children’s social care

West Midlands SWAN, in conjunction with Birmingham Unison and Birmingham Against the Cuts, have written to Sir Albert Bore - Leader of Birmingham City Council - about its cuts to children's services budgets and links between these cuts and public criticism of children's services in the city. This includes the OFSTED Inspection of safeguarding services in September 2012 which rated those services to be inadequate. Read More
SWAN Brighton group
Articles

SWAN Brighton group

SWAN Brighton formed in November 2013 and are now pleased to promote themselves more widely. The group meets regularly for peer support and planning of future activities. If you would like to join, please e-mail swanbrighton1@gmail.com Read More
Public meeting: No to Privatization – the future of children’s services in Birmingham
Events

Public meeting: No to Privatization – the future of children’s services in Birmingham

On Thursday 23rd October, West Midlands SWAN in conjuction with UNISON and Birmingham Against the Cuts, will host a meeting entitled 'No to Privatization: the future of children’s services in Birmingham and the national implications'. The meeting's main speakers will be Professor Sue White and Helga Pile (Social Care Lead, Unison). This will be held from 7pm in Committee Rooms 3-4, Birmingham Council House. Read More
Conditions in the West Bank

Conditions in the West Bank

A social work member of SWAN Ireland traveled with a group of people to the West Bank in recent weeks. The group wrote a letter to the Irish Times about what they witnessed and it was published today! Check it ... Read More
Public meeting: No to Privatization – the future of children’s services in Birmingham
Events

Public meeting: No to Privatization – the future of children’s services in Birmingham

On Thursday 23rd October, West Midlands SWAN in conjuction with UNISON and Birmingham Against the Cuts, will host a meeting entitled 'No to Privatization: the future of children’s services in Birmingham and the national implications'. The meeting's main speakers will be Professor Sue White and Helga Pile (Social Care Lead, Unison). This will be held from 7pm in Committee Rooms 3-4, Birmingham Council House. Read More
Food bank research in London Borough of Lewisham

Food bank research in London Borough of Lewisham

At a recent SWAN London meeting (10th September 2014), group member and social work educator, Tom Henri, presented the findings of recent research into food bank use in London Borough of Lewisham. This is a synopsis of the qualitative research: Read More

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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.