Learn on the go: the Community Care podcast

Community Care

Learn on the go is the Community Care Inform podcast where practitioners, trainers, consultants, academics and researchers discuss practice, research, and theories and what they mean for social workers. Listening to episodes is a convenient way to learn and refresh your knowledge when you don’t have much time to read or prefer other ways of getting information and reflecting on your practice. We’ve been recording Learn on the go on an ad hoc basis since 2017. Over these eight years our podcast audience has grown, and in 2025 we made the decision to start recording Learn on the go in seasons. We launched Season 1 Episode 1 in January 2025. During each season, episodes are released monthly on the last Friday of the month and all episodes appear on Inform Adults and Inform Children or you can subscribe to Learn on the go through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

  1. Season 2 Episode 5 - welfare benefits

    JAN 30

    Season 2 Episode 5 - welfare benefits

    This episode focuses on welfare benefits and support in England and Wales.The welfare benefits system is designed to provide financial support to individuals and families in need. However, according to a report published in 2025 by Policy in Practice, over 7 million households in the UK are missing out on benefits and support due to limited awareness, complexity in the benefits system and stigma around claiming. These barriers are found to often overlap and disproportionately affect people already facing other disadvantages, including carers, disabled adults, older people on low incomes, single parents and people without strong social networks.Discussing this topic is Gary Vaux, the author of Community Care Inform's Benefits A-Z knowledge and practice hub. Gary has been involved in welfare rights for many years and until recently managed a team of local authority benefit and debt advice workers. His background includes training and writing on welfare benefit rules and policies, and he was also chair of the Social Security Advisers Group at the Local Government Association.Questions are asked by Gemma Balmford, content editor at Community Care Inform Adults.Subscribe to the Learn on the go series to stay up-to-date with new episodes. Look out for the final episode in Season 2, which will be released at the end of February 2026. Links to resources mentioned in this podcastAdvicenowAge UKBenefits and WorkCC Inform's benefits A-Z (free for CC Inform subscribers)Child Poverty Action GroupCitizens AdviceContactDisability Rights UKentitledtoMencapMINDMotor Neurone Disease AssociationPolicy in PracticeRightsnetRNIBRNIDScopeTurn2UsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  2. Season 2 Episode 4 - the occupational therapist's role in eating disorder treatment

    12/16/2025

    Season 2 Episode 4 - the occupational therapist's role in eating disorder treatment

    Welcome to Learn on the go, a Community Care Inform podcast, where we discuss the issues affecting social workers and social care practitioners. This episode focuses on eating disorders in adults and the support that occupational therapists can provide. Beat, the UK's eating disorder charity, estimates that 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder and, contrary to popular belief, about a quarter are male. Discussing this subject is Abigail Cardwell, the lead occupational therapist for eating disorders at the South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. Abigail is also a clinical associate trainer for Beat and co-chair of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists' eating disorders specialist network.  Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses affecting people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and backgrounds. Behaviours can include limiting the amount of food eaten, eating very large quantities of food at once, getting rid of food eaten through unhealthy means or a mixture of any of these. They can cause serious harm physically, mentally and emotionally and, sadly, in some cases can be fatal. But despite being such serious illnesses, they are treatable and people can make a full recovery with the right support. We want to give a warning about the content in this episode. We'd encourage you to look after yourself while listening and use supervision and peer support if it brings up anything difficult for you.And if you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK's eating disorder charity, on 0808 801 0677 or visit the website beateatingdisorders.org.ukQuestions are asked by Natalie Valios, senior content editor at Community Care Inform Adults.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min
  3. Season 2 Episode 3 - working with fathers in child protection

    11/28/2025

    Season 2 Episode 3 - working with fathers in child protection

    In this episode, Philip Heslop, assistant professor of Social Work at Northumbria University, explores the vital topic of engaging fathers within the child protection system. In this discussion, Philip Heslop shares insights from his decades of experience regarding why fathers are often overlooked or excluded in social work practice, despite representing a significant portion of the population.The conversation explores the consequences of this exclusion for children and families, examines how gendered assumptions and bias influence social work decisions, and discusses practical, relationship-based approaches social workers can use to effectively engage with men, including those perceived as 'resistant'. Philip Heslop also addresses the legal and systemic factors, such as legislation and resource constraints, that either help or hinder inclusive practice with diverse family structures, including kinship carers and stepparents.In this episode, Philip mentions recources for practitioners and parents including the Fatherhood Institute, the Family Rights Group and the North East Young Dads and Lads Group.Questions are asked by Gillian MacFarlane, content editor, Community Care Inform Children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min
  4. Season 2 Episode 2 - overcoming the barriers to exiting prostitution

    10/31/2025

    Season 2 Episode 2 - overcoming the barriers to exiting prostitution

    This episode looks at the barriers faced by women who want to exit prostitution. Discussing the issue with us is Carol, who has lived experience of prostitution and whose name we have changed to protect her identity.Carol was subjected to prostitution for 50 years before successfully exiting in her 60s. She wanted to share her story to highlight the complexities that can result in women being exploited through prostitution and what is needed to help women exit.The number of people involved in prostitution in the UK is difficult to quantify due to its hidden nature and the absence of any survey on a national level. However, estimates suggest that over 72,000 individuals are exchanging sex for money or other benefit of need, with the overwhelming majority of them being women. Women subjected to prostitution often have extensive experiences of trauma, abuse and male violence, and experience addiction and poor mental and physical health as a consequence.We want to give a content warning: Carol talks about child sexual abuse, suicide attempts, drug addiction and trauma. We'd encourage you to look after yourself while listening and use supervision and peer support if this episode brings up anything difficult for you.If you're supporting a woman subjected to prostitution and are interested in contacting nia about its specialist exiting services and refuge provision, visit the prostitution page on its website or call 07880 230 516. Women can access nia's service if they are over 18 and currently involved in prostitution in London. They can refer themselves or be referred by an agency.Questions are asked by Natalie Valios, senior content editor, Community Care Inform Adults.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  5. Season 2 Episode 1: parental conflict

    09/26/2025

    Season 2 Episode 1: parental conflict

    This episode focuses on working with ‘parental conflict’ (this is the phrase we tend to hear, though we discuss that there may be more helpful language we can use). Terminology aside, it’s clear that professional involvement in the very personal dynamics of a couple’s relationship and how it may be impacting their child or children can be extremely challenging and uncomfortable for both the parents and practitioners.So we wanted to bring you some practical advice and guidance on doing this type of work with families. Our guest sharing some of her experience and expertise Jude Gordon. Jude has been a practitioner and service manager in local authority and voluntary sector settings, working with children, young people and families. Until earlier this year, she led the Reducing Parental Conflict programme at Relate. This included different forms of relationship support for parents and carers; training for professionals who work with families; and developing AI tools to help couples and co-parents communicate more effectively an understand how their children may be feeling Jude is now a project manager within the child poverty team at the North East Combined Authority, which covers seven local authority areas.The discussion includes anonymised examples of working with a family, supporting families with the systemic and practical challenges that can contribute to conflict, working with separated couples and co-parents, useful resources and self-care for practitioners. Jude emphasises relational, authentic practice, and keeping in mind cultural and family structure differences.Links to resources Jude mentions:Relate's 'Sounding board' bot that can help parents (partners or co-parents) who are having disagreements to write texts and emails or prepare for conversations'In the middle' bot (also from Relate) helps parents understand how their child/ren of different ages may understand their parents' relationship and how they may feel.Tool to find local servicesThe Reducing Parental Conflict online community on Knowledge Hub (requires initial free registration with Knowledge Hub, a digital platform for public service professionals)One Plus One: offers free and paid for online resources, and training packagesRace Equality Foundation parental conflict toolkitRelated resources on CC InformAll our podcast episodesBenefits A-Z (includes information about eligibility and how to apply for all major social security benefit in the UK)Housing knowledge and practice hub (includes information on rights in relation to housing conditions and tenancy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min
  6. Season 1 Episode 6: Authentic leadership skills - feedback, trust and psychological safety

    06/27/2025

    Season 1 Episode 6: Authentic leadership skills - feedback, trust and psychological safety

    This episode focuses on leadership skills and style - in particular the crucial role of feedback which can sometimes be seen as mainly about staff performance and a less comfortable or even fear-inducing aspect of any kind of leadership or supervisory role.Our guests today are keen to discuss and demonstrate how feedback is a much broader part of developing your own leadership style and something that can help build trust, transparency and supportive culture in your team or particular context.They share examples from their own experience to help practitioners, supervisors and managers at all stages think about developing their own leadership skills and style.This epsisode is part of our leadership knowledge and practice hub on CC Inform Children which has been produced with Frontline, that charity that is perhaps most known for its fast-track local-authority based training programme for new child protection social workers, but also runs leadership development programmes for managers and those aspiring to be managers in children’s services.The speakers are: Anjuli Obaro, curriculum lead at FrontlineDelin Dixon, independent social worker, experienced foster carer, consultant and trainerYinka Olaniran, service manager for a local authority independent reviewing and child protection conference service, and facilitatorFurther links:Radical Candor In 6 Minutes With Kim Scott (YouTube video)Radical Candor (book)CC Inform leadership knowledge and practice hubCC Inform Management knowledge and practice hubCC Inform Supervision knowledge and practice hub See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min
  7. Season 1 Episode 5: Addressing the risks of exploitation for children with SEND

    05/30/2025

    Season 1 Episode 5: Addressing the risks of exploitation for children with SEND

    Season 1, episode 5. This episode is about how to safeguard children with special educational needs and disabilities from sexual exploitation. We’ll be discussing recent research and findings related to modern slavery and the heightened risk that children with SEND are at across England and Wales, as well as the importance of early identification and working with the whole family.Our expert guest is Sarah Goff – associate researcher at Manchester Metropolitan university.Questions are asked by Gillian MacFarlane, content editor, Community Care Inform Childrens.Community Care Inform subscribers can access additional resources and a written transcript of the podcast.Subscribe to the Learn on the go series to stay up-to-date with new episodes. Look out for the next episode in Season 1, which will be released at the end of June. Meanwhile, you can join Community Care's Social Work Community for careers guidance, private discussion rooms with fellow social workers and even more podcast episodes. ResourcesResearch study - Internal trafficking of children with SEND Research stufy - Early identification of exploitation of children with SEND See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  8. Season 1 Episode 4: Dealing with change and loss after becoming disabled as an adult

    04/15/2025

    Season 1 Episode 4: Dealing with change and loss after becoming disabled as an adult

    Season 1, episode 4This episode focuses on dealing with change and loss as a result of becoming physically disabled as an adult, and how practitioners can support individuals who are coming to terms with the impact of disability on their body and their lives.The guest is Rebecca Regler, a lived experience worker. Rebecca qualified as a social worker 10 years ago but didn’t get the chance to put her training into practice because soon after graduating she was diagnosed with the connective tissue disorder Ehlers Danlos syndrome, which left her unable to work.Rebecca discusses the emotional impact that can occur from unexpectedly becoming disabled as an adult; how it can affect mental health; the loss of identity, including professional identity and how someone perceives themselves within relationships; the financial implications; and how social care professionals can provide support and advocacy to help adults at such a difficult time.Questions are asked by Natalie Valios, senior content editor, Community Care Inform Adults.Community Care Inform subscribers can access additional resources and a written transcript of the podcast.Subscribe to the Learn on the go series to stay up-to-date with new episodes. Look out for the next episode in Season 1, which will be released at the end of May. Meanwhile, you can join Community Care's Social Work Community for careers guidance, private discussion rooms with fellow social workers and even more podcast episodes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min
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About

Learn on the go is the Community Care Inform podcast where practitioners, trainers, consultants, academics and researchers discuss practice, research, and theories and what they mean for social workers. Listening to episodes is a convenient way to learn and refresh your knowledge when you don’t have much time to read or prefer other ways of getting information and reflecting on your practice. We’ve been recording Learn on the go on an ad hoc basis since 2017. Over these eight years our podcast audience has grown, and in 2025 we made the decision to start recording Learn on the go in seasons. We launched Season 1 Episode 1 in January 2025. During each season, episodes are released monthly on the last Friday of the month and all episodes appear on Inform Adults and Inform Children or you can subscribe to Learn on the go through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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