A student in training perspective on eco-social work practice Eco-Social Work in Australia

Guest: Bayley Johnson - Australian social work student in training
Introduction to this episode
The social work (SW) student perspective on eco-social practice (ESW) offers interesting insights into the principles of that practice for a number of reasons. Almost by definition, many students will come to an eco-social framing of practice with little or no prior experience, theoretical preferences or practice assumptions. In addition to presenting an intellectual tabula rasa, and the freshness of view which often goes with it, students in training are encouraged, systematically, to reflect and think critically about their learning and practice placement experience.
My guest on this episode of the podcast series, Bayley Johnson, brings such a fresh and critical pair of eyes to the eco-social work field. At time of interview, Bayley was heading into his final training year within a four-year, Batchelor of social work training course conducted by the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia - and was soon to become secretary of the University of Queensland Social Work Society He undertook his first, supervised, 500 hour practice placement with an eco-social work orientation in the first half of 2022.
During that time, Bayley worked with the Darling Downs Environment Council, a peak regional environment group in S.E. Queensland, Australia, dedicated to the preservation and protection of the environment (natural, built, and managed) and the enhancement of values which promote sustainability.
In our discussion, Bayley draws upon that first placement experience, and his subsequent critical reflections on eco-social practice, to answer some of the standard questions posed to all guests throughout this series.
SUMMARY OF MAIN INTERVIEW TALKING POINTS  - with approximate time elapsed in minutes.
General Introduction – 0.50
QUESTION 1: For you, what is ESW practice in 2022? – 2.50. Includes guest self-introduction, choice of SW as a career, developing awareness of ESW - and stories from first, ESW oriented practice placement.
QUESTION 2: How can ESW help tackle climate change and other ecological sustainability  concerns in practical terms?  - 10.15
QUESTION 3: Why should the social work profession be involved with physical environment concerns? – 20.05
QUESTION 4: What could the future (2-10 years) hold for ESW interventions, as a body of practice within the Australian social work mainstream? 28.48
Guest summarising comments – 39.48
Closing acknowledgements – 41.27
RESOURCES AND REFERENCES RELATED TO THE DISCUSSION – URL links below are available on the Podbean podcast platform - but not all others.
Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) based in Toowoomba S.E. Queensland.
An example of a wildlife care organisation and its role in helping protect vulnerable Australian species such as the koala.
A recent S.E. Queensland community campaign to save endangered remnant natural vegetation.
The problems produced by broadscale native vegetation clearing in Queensland (e.g. ‘chain’ clearing).
The 2022 IFSW international conference on co-building a new eco-social world with people’s charter, values and action statement.
The Australian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (2020) with  reference to the importance of considering the physical environment in achieving a socially just, sustainable society (e.g., pages 12/13).
Public mental health and therapeutic value of Blue and Green spaces WHO report (2021).
The need for a socially just transition for fossil fuel workers in a new low carbon economy.
Research on the potential, long term community destabilising effects of major flood events.
Other research examples on possible links between climate disruption exacerbated natural disasters and anti-social and violent behaviour (2021).
Report on community and social vulnerability assessment in the context of Australian bushfire risk (2022).
 CONTACT DETAILS:
Householders’ Options to Protect the Environment (HOP