Irish Association of Social Workers

A joint motion by #SocialWork professional associations in Ireland and Spain, on the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, was passed unanimously at the International Federation of Social Workers (Europe) Delegates Meeting on Sunday, 27 October 2024, in Lisbon. The motion was compiled collaboratively by the Irish Association of Social Workers and Spain’s professional association of social workers – Consejo General del Trabajo Social (CGTS) (the General Council of Social Work), and had the strong support of our Portuguese social work colleagues host association. The motion, formally proposed by CGTS Vice-President Lucía González López and myself, calls for the ‘implementation of the European Pact on Migration and asylum in ways that are capable of providing an agile, coordinated response that guarantees the human rights of all people who arrive in our territories, avoiding return processes at the border that violate the fundamental rights of people.’ The motion goes on to set out specific measures that need to be taken in implementing the Pact across members states, incorporating resources and training, ensuring respect for all persons’ human rights, and especially highlighting the need for human rights monitoring mechanisms, as well as specific priorities regarding certain groups such as unaccompanied minors, women and those with particular vulnerabilities including mental health and other issues. The full text of the joint motion is available on the IASW website here: https://lnkd.in/eiNkMwKe El enlace web español (CGTS) está aquí: https://lnkd.in/ekfbUWfC More information on the European Pact on Migration and Asylum is available here: https://lnkd.in/e75S7nW7 IASW was represented at the meeting in Lisbon by Aine McGuirk and myself; and online by Anna Deneher

On Friday 18 October 2024, the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) held our national #SocialWork Conference, in Portlaoise. The in-person event, which enjoyed a full attendance, focused on human rights, a core principle underpinning social work. The conference considered how social work upholds human rights in practice and highlighted the leadership role of social work in building capacity with individuals and systems, putting and maintaining human rights and social justice at the centre of our responses. The excellent keynote speakers - Jung Rin Kim of United Nations Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prof. Kathleen Lynch of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and Caoimhe Gleeson of Health Service Executive National Office for Human rights and Equality Policy, provided stimulating and energising material for participants, which was carried further through three parallel workshops on Advanced Practice in Social Work (Kerry Cuskelly Sinéad Fitzpatrick Phil Butler & Niamh Finucane) Affirming Human Rights Through Capaciy Building (in the context of the ADMCA 2015) (Geraldine Farren Ciara Reilly Renee Summers Joe Nelis & Caroline O’Meara) and Expanding Our World View (from the perspectives of anti-racist social work and eco social work) (Mary Hurley & Colletta Dalikeni ). As well as representing a return to first principles in social work, the presentations and discussions brought new information and fresh thinking, as well as challenges, to the issues discussed. One social worker at the conference said it brought her back to a strong reaffirmation of why she decided to become a social worker in the first place. IASW Chairperson, Vivian Geiran urged all conference participants not to ‘leave the discussions and the energy in the room’ but rather to take it away, continue the energising conversations beyond the conference itself, to build on the dialogues and amplify the learning that results through the structures of the Association, specifically through our Special Interest Groups, our advocacy campaigns and beyond. The conference presentations will be available in due course on the IASW website: https://www.iasw.ie #HumanRights #Inclusion #SocialWorkValues

Great video highlighting the importance of inclusion health social work!

Appointment of Chief Operations Officer at Irish Association of Social Workers The Board of the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) is delighted to announce the appointment of Caroline Strong as Chief Operations Officer (COO). Caroline, who took up her role with IASW this week, has qualifications in applied social care, psychology, clinical supervision, health & safety, HR and financial management, among others; and a wealth of management experience in the social care, regulation and enterprise sectors. Caroline's appointment as COO is a hugely positive addition to the small and dynamic IASW staff team, working with our membership and partner bodies, among others, leading out on the coordination and delivery of our strategic goals, on behalf of our members, the social work profession and those who use social work services. #SocialWork #Leadership #COO #StrongerTogether

🔔 Calling all social workers! 📣 Booking is now open for the IASW National Social Work Conference 2024: Human Rights, Social Work Responsibilities: Challenging Inequality, Injustice and Discrimination. 🗓️ On Friday 18 October 2024 in Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise. Conference places for members have been subsidised and are excellent value at only €40 for the full day, including lunch and refreshments. More information on the speakers and workshops will be announced in the next few weeks. 📝 Conference details and register here: https://lnkd.in/ekmKUJbz #SocialWork #SocialWorkers

🔔 Calling all social workers! 📣 Booking is now open for the IASW National Social Work Conference 2024: Human Rights, Social Work Responsibilities: Challenging Inequality, Injustice and Discrimination. 🗓️ On Friday 18 October 2024 in Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise. Conference places for members have been subsidised and are excellent value at only €40 for the full day, including lunch and refreshments. More information on the speakers and workshops will be announced in the next few weeks. 📝 Conference details and register here: https://lnkd.in/ekmKUJbz #SocialWork #SocialWorkers

IASW has long been advocating on the various issues impacting the training, recruitment and retention of social workers in Ireland. We published a report on these issues, with recommendations, in 2022. We followed that up with a report (2024) on the specific issues and challenges in relation to social work practice placements. Both of these reports are available on the following IASW webpage: https://lnkd.in/ebDMdhx9 On 23 July 2024 Irish Examiner columnist Fergus Finlay wrote an opinion piece in that newspaper, highlighting the shortage of social workers and the negative impact on services. IASW Chairperson, Vivian Geiran, wrote a letter in response, which was published on 3 August 2024. Vivian's letter, as well as a link to Fergus Finlay's article is available here: https://lnkd.in/eEQ82dC5 Separately, Joe Mooney and colleagues in the UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice at UCD had a letter on similar issues published in the The Irish Times on 29 July 2024: https://lnkd.in/erzwK3rJ Vivian Geiran, on behalf of IASW, wrote a response to that letter, published in the 'Irish Times' on 2 August 2024: https://lnkd.in/esncb6QA Dr. Joe Mooney's letter was also picked up on RTE's Drivetime radio programme (piece starts at 14:50mins in): https://lnkd.in/eWkpC-3u   IASW will continue to advocate for the changes needed to ensure that the number of social workers available to practice in Ireland is increased, in order to fill current vacancies, provide for future service developments, reduce burnout and other issues impacting social workers themselves, as well as - most importantly - make much-needed improvements in service provision and the experiences of those requiring access to social work services. At the same time, those practicing and studying social work need to be adequately supported to do so effectively. The fact that the All-Employers Social Work Forum has been established and is working on a collaborative and strategic response to the relevant issues, as well as new developments including new pathways into social work, augurs well for the future. But it is vital that all concerned maintain focus on what needs to be done. One critical factor affecting the ability of people to access and continue in social work education programmes, is the costs involved, particularly the additional costs associated with undertaking unpaid practice placements. This issue must become a Government priority. #SocialWork #SocialWorkers #PracticePlacements #CostOfLiving

Our letter in the Irish Times this morning highlighting that the need for more social workers will not solely be addressed by creating more university places: https://lnkd.in/eSSaKcvA University College Dublin UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice UCD College of Social Sciences and Law

We are so excited to have Denise on on board!

Our new British Journal of Social Work article is now available on social media, digital and online abuse and harassment in #socialwork and #probation. This new paper on an under-researched topic will be of relevance to all professionals, and community and voluntary staff and services. Read here for free #openaccess: https://lnkd.in/e8aJanrB Irish Association of Social Workers Tusla - Child and Family Agency @HSE The Probation Service University College Cork Cacsss UCC Fiachra Ó Súilleabháin