Author Archives: Richard Devine's Social Work Practice Blog

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. These are five books that have profoundly influencedContinue reading “5 books every front-line social worker should read in 2022 to make better decisions, build effective relationships, and improve the lives of children and families.”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. These are five books that have profoundly influencedContinue reading “5 books every front-line social worker should read in 2022 to make better decisions, build effective relationships, and improve the lives of children and families.”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. Each year, in between Christmas and New Year,Continue reading “End of year review 2021”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. 1. This case and others like it areContinue reading “5 points about the tragic death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes (we are unlikely to hear in the media)”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. Preface:  I recently secured a position of BritishContinue reading “Reflexive Thematic Analysis – The What, Why and How”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council The Children’s Social Care Review, led by Josh MacAlister published an interim report, titled ‘The Case for Change’.  In just over 100 pages the report identifies the fundamental issues of concern across the system. I thought the report is well-produced, coherently presented, evidenced-based,Continue reading “The Case for Change: How to Help Children and Families”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. I was recently given the chance to deliverContinue reading “Social Work and Conflict”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council I was invited to write a piece for Social Work News. In this piece I explored what changes I would make if I was in charge. Because I lack imagination and creativity, I think the ideas I put forward are easily achievable andContinue reading “If I was in charge…”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. Most parents will be reluctant to have aContinue reading “Conversations with parents about Family Group Conferences”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. Preface: This is a review of Motivational InterviewingContinue reading “How to manage resistance and have difficult conversations that make a difference”

By Richard Devine Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council… with Tim Fisher and Becca Dove from Camden Council and Leigh Zywek and Penny McKissock from Bath and North East Somerset Council. NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics mayContinue reading “Parental Advocacy: Building Bridges”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council. NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. Steven Pinker’s book, Enlightenment Now (2018) is theContinue reading “How the world is healthier, happier, and wealthier than ever – and what that might mean for Social Work”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. I was recently granted the privilege of participatingContinue reading “Recording and Report Writing”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. The following is an essay I completed whenContinue reading “What I learnt attending Alcoholic’s Anonymous”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council (26.03.21) NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click on the link and view it full. Introduction: I recently read a book recommendedContinue reading “The Effects of Being in Care, Being Black and The Search for Belonging”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council NOTE: If you are receiving this via e-mail it may be cut short by your e-mail programme and/or the graphics may be distorted. You may wish to click the link and view it in full. Introduction:  It is well documented that child protectionContinue reading “Working with Fathers: Challenging our perceptions of men”

By Rhian Taylor (19.02.21) Preface by Richard Devine. This guest blog is by Rhian Taylor, an experienced social worker with over 20 years experience. She has recently left academia after several years as a lecturer in Kent University to work in a specialist CAHMS team, where no doubt her thoughtful, kind-spirited and passionate commitment toContinue reading “We need to talk about resilience”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset (05.02.2021). Modern Man in Search of a Soul (1933) is apparently a great introduction to Carl Jung’s theories of analytical psychology. The book is broken down into eleven essays dealing with topics of dream analysis, Freudian psychology, spirituality, religion, and the unconscious. I don’tContinue reading “Carl Jung: Modern Man in Search of Soul: 10 lessons (part 2)”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset (22.01.2021). Modern Man in Search of a Soul is apparently a great introduction to Carl Jung’s theories of analytical psychology. The book is broken down into eleven essays dealing with topics of dream analysis, Freudian psychology, spirituality, religion, and the unconscious. I don’t claimContinue reading “Carl Jung: Modern Man in Search of Soul: 10 lessons (part 1)”

By Richard Devine, Social Worker for Bath and North East Somerset Council (31.12.2020) Introduction:  As the year comes to a close, I have decided to write and share an end of year review. For the past few years, I have spent a few hours during the time in-between Christmas and New Years reflecting on whatContinue reading “End of Year Review 2020”

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