Social Work Sorted with Vicki Shevlin

Vicki Shevlin
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Social Work Sorted is the leading podcast for Newly Qualified Social Workers in the UK. Hosted and produced by Vicki Shevlin, a social worker, trainer, consultant and founder of The Social Work Collective Academy. This is a podcast for social workers and safeguarding professionals who care about skills, knowledge and practice. Fresh, relatable and realistic, Vicki brings her social work experience and unique training approach to bitesize episodes. Guest episodes feature critical conversations with experts from the sector.socialworksorted.com 

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Should we still be talking about ACE's? What Social Workers Need to Know

    ACEs - adverse childhood experiences - is one of the most referenced phrases in social work and safeguarding. But how many of us have actually questioned whether we are using it correctly? In this episode Vicki Shevlin explores why the research behind ACEs is weaker than most people realise, why correlation is not causation and what this means practically for your assessments, your reports and your conversations with other professionals. If you have referenced ACEs recently in your practice - this episode is worth your time. For a full deep dive into the research, the 2020 Foundations review and three practical strategies to update your practice, the extended episode is available on The Social Work Collective Academy on Patreon. patreon.com/thesocialworkcollectiveacademy This podcast is hosted by Vicki Shevlin, an independent social worker and safeguarding consultant. Content is intended to support professional development and reflective practice. It is not a substitute for supervision, statutory guidance or your organisation's policies and procedures. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Listen to The Collective Podcast   Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening.  Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

    14 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    There are so many ways to be a Social Worker

    In this episode I explore one of the most persistent and unhelpful narratives in social work; that there is a hierarchy of practice, and that unless you have done your time in child protection you have not done real social work. Drawing on my own experience moving from family facing practice to conference chair to independent social worker and trainer, I reflect on the guilt that comes with changing direction, the false divide between academia and practice, the overlooked contribution of adult social work, and why social work needs to see itself as an ecosystem rather than a ranking system. Professional identity is fluid. Your version of social work matters. This episode is for anyone who has ever questioned whether what they do counts. Disclaimer: This podcast is hosted by Vicki Shevlin, an independent social worker and safeguarding consultant. Content is intended to support professional development and reflective practice. It is not a substitute for supervision, statutory guidance or your organisation's policies and procedures. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Listen to The Collective Podcast   Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening.  Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

    17 min

  3. 1 APR

    Seeing the Invisible Child: Direct Work With Infants on Home Visits

    In this episode I'm talking about one of the most consistent findings across serious case reviews; the invisible child and giving you one practical thing you can take into your next home visit immediately. Inspired by Harry Ferguson's new book Making Child Protection Work, I'm focusing specifically on direct work with infants and why greeting a child first, even a sleeping baby, matters more than you might think. This isn't about blame or shame. It's about small shifts that make a real difference. When considering whether to wake a sleeping child during a visit, always refer to your local authority policy and statutory guidance. If you're interested in training for your local authority, organisation or team, I work with a range of organisations across the UK delivering skills-focused safeguarding and social work training. Get in touch at vicki@socialworksorted.com or find the link to book a conversation in the show notes. This podcast is hosted by Vicki Shevlin, an independent social worker and safeguarding consultant with over ten years of experience. The content is intended to support your professional development and reflective practice. It is not a substitute for good quality supervision, statutory guidance, legislation, or your organisation's policies and procedures. Always refer to your local authority guidance and relevant statutory frameworks when making practice decisions. Nothing in this podcast constitutes formal legal or professional advice. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Listen to The Collective Podcast   Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening.  Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

    17 min

  4. 23 MAR

    What Case Recording Feels Like From the Other Side

    In this episode, I'm reflecting on my own unexpected experience of having a record written about me, not as a social worker, but as a home educating parent. It's a small, almost comedic example, but it stayed with me, and it raises big questions about accuracy, context, and what families actually feel when their words are recorded without them. I'm also sharing my thoughts on what the Families First changes and updated Working Together guidance mean for social workers in practice, and why legislative change without investment in skills is just paperwork with a new name.  Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Listen to The Collective Podcast   Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening.  Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

    30 min

  5. 22 MAR

    Voice, Power and Practice with Jade Barnett, CEO of Power2Prevail

    In this episode, I’m joined by Power 2 Prevail to explore what it really means to work with young people, not just around them. We talk about the power of youth work, how professional hierarchies can silence lived experience, and why “listening” isn’t the same as genuine inclusion. Together, we explore how care-experienced young people can and should shape training, learning and development, not as a token gesture, but as valued experts in their own lives. This conversation is about power, voice, and what changes when we take young people seriously in practice, in systems, and in ourselves. Connect with Jade: Linkedin: Jade Barnett  Instagram: @power2prevail_ https://power2prevail.co.uk/ Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Listen to The Collective Podcast   Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening.  Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

    1hr 4min

  6. 24 FEB

    Name the Time: Boundaries that protect you and others

    Have your home visits started running to two hours… but nothing is actually changing? In this bite-sized episode, I share a powerful reflection from inside The Social Work Collective Academy following a live masterclass on Staying Connected When Conversations Are Hard. We talk about: Why naming the time you have is a professional skillHow unclear time boundaries increase burnoutWhy shorter visits can still be high-qualityHow boundaries help families feel saferThe link between containment, regulation, and emotional safetyThis isn’t about rushing people.  It isn’t about being rigid. It’s about calm, confident containment. If you’re leaving visits drained, struggling to end meetings on time, or feeling like you’re giving more than you have — this episode is your reminder: You are allowed to name the time. The Staying Connected masterclass is now inside The Social Work Collective Academy. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Listen to The Collective Podcast   Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening.  Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

    11 min

  7. 16 JAN

    One Thing at a Time: plans, pressure, and practice

    January doesn’t need to be a fresh start on the 1st and social work doesn’t get easier when we set ourselves (and families) impossible expectations. In this episode, I’m sharing my phrase for the year - one thing at a time - and why it matters for attention, overwhelm, and realistic planning (in practice and in life).  I also share what I’ve been reading lately, how it’s shaping my training, and I introduce an exciting new addition inside the Social Work Collective Academy: the Practice Pause Library: short, guided pauses designed for real social work moments (before home visits, during overwhelm, and after heightened situations). I’ll also leave you with five small, realistic ways to create space when January feels heavy  including why three minutes can be enough to shift your day. Timestamps:  00:00 Welcome back + permission for a slow start to January 01:26 Plans, pressure, and unrealistic expectations (in life + in practice) 04:57 Phrase of the year: One thing at a time (attention + multitasking myth) 12:21 What I’ve been reading (fiction + nonfiction) + why it matters 24:09 What’s influencing my training right now (mind-body, mindset, calm first) 26:21 New inside the Collective Academy: the Practice Pause Library 30:53 Five ways to feel less overwhelmed in January 40:57 What’s coming next (free reset + direct work + guests) 42:57 Closing Practice Pause Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Listen to The Collective Podcast   Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening.  Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

    45 min

  8. 22/12/2025

    Don’t Let Them: why social workers can’t afford passive self-help

    This episode was unplanned but necessary. After receiving my Spotify Wrapped for the podcast, I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks: many listeners of Social Work Sorted were also listening to summaries of The Let Them Theory. In this episode, I unpack why the idea of “just letting them” doesn’t sit comfortably with me as a social worker, an advocate, or a human living in a collective world. While self-help narratives often encourage us to stop people-pleasing and focus inward, I explore how this can quickly slide into passivity, hyper-individualisation, and a quiet acceptance of harm. We talk about power, privilege, social justice, and why “letting them” is not a neutral act - especially in a profession rooted in advocacy and collective responsibility. This is not about attacking individuals or books. It’s about being clear on our values. Sometimes, the most radical thing we can do is not let them. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Listen to The Collective Podcast   Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening.  Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.

    16 min
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About

Social Work Sorted is the leading podcast for Newly Qualified Social Workers in the UK. Hosted and produced by Vicki Shevlin, a social worker, trainer, consultant and founder of The Social Work Collective Academy. This is a podcast for social workers and safeguarding professionals who care about skills, knowledge and practice. Fresh, relatable and realistic, Vicki brings her social work experience and unique training approach to bitesize episodes. Guest episodes feature critical conversations with experts from the sector.socialworksorted.com 

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