Messy Social Work

Messy Social Work
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Welcome to the Messy Social Work podcast. The hosts are Richard Devine and Tim Fisher. Check out our website here: https://www.relationalactivism.com/

  1. 2D AGO

    Rich and Tim talk to Mark Hopfenbeck about the transformative possibilities of Open Dialogue.

    In this conversation, Rich and Tim and Mark Hopfenbeck explore the concept of Open Dialogue, its origins, and its application in mental health and social work. They discuss the importance of community involvement, the need for continuity in care, and the training required to develop relational skills. Mark emphasizes the significance of peer support and the challenges faced in implementing Open Dialogue in various settings. The conversation also touches on the role of evidence in validating Open Dialogue practices and the future of this approach in mental health care. Mark's presentation at the Thrive conference https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EAegtEWsi4&t=2s Professor Russell Razzaque on Radio 4  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUVXKrFqaqE  takeaways Open Dialogue originated from a need for better mental health support. The approach emphasizes community involvement and transparency. Continuity of care is crucial for building trust and relationships. Training in relational skills is essential for effective practice. Open Dialogue can be adapted to diverse cultural contexts. Peer support plays a vital role in the Open Dialogue framework. The approach encourages flexibility in meeting arrangements. Evidence-based practice is important for validating Open Dialogue. Radical transparency can improve client-professional relationships. Open Dialogue reflects the values of excellent social work.  sound bites "It's a very human way of being." "We can do it better, and we can do it for less." "We can show that everyone seems to be better." Chapters 00:00 The Origins of Open Dialogue 04:21 The Evolution of Open Dialogue Practices 08:47 The Role of Community and Relationships 13:23 Open Dialogue in Diverse Settings 17:35 Comparing Traditional and Open Dialogue Approaches 26:23 Understanding Moral Injury in Healthcare Professionals 28:44 The Impact of Open Dialogue Training 30:25 Relational Skills in Social Work 32:49 The Essence of Open Dialogue 35:28 Navigating Difficult Decisions in Mental Health 39:41 Radical Transparency and Compassion in Care 41:38 The Need for Evidence in Compassionate Care 45:21 Global Perspectives on Open Dialogue Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

    1h 3m

  2. FEB 11

    Connecting Research: Why young people don't access mental health support

    In this episode, we speak with Dr Mina Fazel, a British psychiatrist who is Professor and Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford. Her research considers the mental health of children and young people, and how to design effective mental health interventions. We talk to her about a recent paper: Adolescent consent and Generation Alpha: bridging policy, practice and empirical evidence in healthcare, you can download it here:  https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/adolescent-consent-and-generation-alpha-bridging-policy-practice-and-empirical-evidence-in-healthcare/1773C8B49A361BB55747FF7BD80F0730 Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

    33 min

  3. JAN 30

    BONUS Episode: Rich and Tim reflect on what its like to be silent for 6 days

    Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

    53 min

  4. JAN 30

    Rich and Tim talk to Seana McDermott (Social Worker for Children in Care) about relational practice, moral injury and making a difference

    This week, we speak to Seana, a social worker in a Child in Care Team.  We explore what her role involves, how she builds relationships with young people, carers, and families, and the challenges she faces—as well as what helps her keep going.  We’re really grateful to Seana for taking the time to talk with us, especially given how busy the role is. We hope you enjoy her passion, child‑centred practice, and commitment to the work as much as we did. Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

    47 min

  5. JAN 23

    Rich and Tim hear about handstands, breakdance battles, and the unconscious: Dr Anna Harvey on what shapes social work

    In this two-part episode of Messy Social Work, hosts Richard Devine and Tim Fisher speak with Dr Anna Harvey about the realities of child protection practice, reflective supervision, and the emotional weight of decision-making. Using a selection of Anna’s vivid LinkedIn posts and readings as a jumping-off point, the conversation moves from psychoanalytic ideas like organisational mindlessness, fear, guilt, and compassion, into leadership and workplace culture, challenging the “hero narrative” and calling for learning cultures and belonging in teams. The episode then widens out into ecology, community, and power, touching on what it means to “think global, act local,” and how social work can hold a wider lens on inequality, politics, and care. Anna's LinkedIn account  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anna-harvey-sfhea-5220563b/ and a link to her Linkedin posts  https://docs.google.com/document/d/17rJmo2bvYNpm_Bj2zT6xOuI3PreHoSm-_D4UND9R6m8/edit?tab=t.0 Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

    51 min

  6. JAN 16

    Rich and Tim speak to Dr Anna Harvey about fear loneliness and joy in social work

    In this two-part episode of Messy Social Work, hosts Richard Devine and Tim Fisher speak with Dr Anna Harvey about the realities of child protection practice, reflective supervision, and the emotional weight of decision-making. Using a selection of Anna’s vivid LinkedIn posts and readings as a jumping-off point, the conversation moves from psychoanalytic ideas like organisational mindlessness, fear, guilt, and compassion, into leadership and workplace culture, challenging the “hero narrative” and calling for learning cultures and belonging in teams. The episode then widens out into ecology, community, and power, touching on what it means to “think global, act local,” and how social work can hold a wider lens on inequality, politics, and care. Anna's LinkedIn account  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anna-harvey-sfhea-5220563b/ and a link to her Linkedin posts  https://docs.google.com/document/d/17rJmo2bvYNpm_Bj2zT6xOuI3PreHoSm-_D4UND9R6m8/edit?tab=t.0 Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

    1 hr

  7. JAN 9

    Rich and Tim return to talk boundaries, creating space and big changes ahead

    Rich and Tim are back in the studio of the Messy Social Work Podcast, shaking off the holiday cobwebs and diving straight into the age-old tradition of New Year’s resolutions. Tim’s on a mission to set some firm boundaries, while Rich is dreaming of carving out a little breathing space—because who doesn’t need that in social work? But that’s not all. We’ve got our roving news correspondent and Community Care editor, Mithran Samuels, joining us to give the lowdown on what’s changing across children’s social care and what’s on the horizon for the year ahead.  Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

    46 min

  8. 2025-12-19

    Rich and Tim wrap up the year in conversation with Andrew Turnell

    Rich and Tim are joined by Andrew Turnell to reflect on 2025. Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

    1h 14m
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About

Welcome to the Messy Social Work podcast. The hosts are Richard Devine and Tim Fisher. Check out our website here: https://www.relationalactivism.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Messy Social Work
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Messy Social Work
  • Show Website
    Messy Social Work

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