Social Work Sorted with Vicki Shevlin

Vicki Shevlin

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.

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167 episodes
Updated July 6

Episodes167

Newest first

Mar 26, 2025 · 32 min
What to do if someone makes a complaint against you as a social worker
This is a question I am asked regularly and although I can't respond to individual circumstances, this episode will take you through: -reframing complaints -removing personal comments -the value in apologising -upholding families rights -looking after yourself with record keeping 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Mar 22, 2025 · 19 min
Assessment Skills: Who are our biggest influences/Virtual genograms
How do we extend the reach of a genogram? Yes, genograms are essential to our understanding of family networks and narratives, but what if the people influencing us the most are the ones we see every morning when we scroll social media? Are we including virtual contexts and connections in our assessments? And how do we do that in a non judgmental way? In this episode I talk about the importance of considering virtual influences, on both ourselves and the people we support. Recommended listening and reading: When do parenting influencers become a safeguarding issue? Irwin-Rogers, K., & Pinkney, C. (2017). Social media as a catalyst and trigger for youth violence. Catch22. Pinkney, C., & Robinson-Edwards, S. (2018). Gangs, music and the mediatisation of crime: Expressions, violations and validations. Safer Communities, 17(2), 103-118. https://www.contextualsafeguarding.org.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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Feb 27, 2025 · 23 min
The business of social work podcasts
This episode is really one big question. As social work podcasts increase (which is a great thing!) how do we as a collective, manage our responsibility to protect guests and ensure information is shared and not exploited? I don't have answers, but I'm hoping someone who listens to this might help me formulate some thoughts. It always feels scary to share my own experience but I wouldn't ask for transparency from others if I wasn't also willing to be transparent myself. I always feel uncomfortable talking about money but equally discomfort is a feeling that I now associate with change, and I see that as a positive. Get in touch: vicki@socialworksorted.com 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Feb 26, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Lessons from 3 years of the podcast!
In this episode I am joined by the wonderful Katy, who started as a listener of this podcast and is now a friend. I shared a post on instagram asking you to share your questions for me about all things podcast, so a huge thank you to Katy for joining me and asking them! Thank you so much for listening, the fact that I have been doing this for 3 years with now 100,000 downloads is wild and I am so grateful to you for listening and sharing every week. To be even just a tiny part of your social work journey is a huge privilege that I never take for granted. 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Feb 20, 2025 · 45 min
In Conversation with The Collective, with guest member Clo
I am so happy to share this conversation with Clo. Recommended resources mentioned: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/ted-noel https://kilntheatre.com/whats-on/es-flo/ Join The Social Work Collective: https://socialworksorted.com/thecollective 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Feb 14, 2025 · 12 min
Let's stop the narrative of 'imposter syndrome' in social work
Are you a new social worker? Do you find yourself saying or thinking, 'I have Imposter Syndrome'? If so, this is for you! Read more: hbr.org/2021/02/stop-telling-women-they-have-imposter-syndrome 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Feb 10, 2025 · 13 min
How do we define safety in social work?
How often do we talk about safety in social work? How often do we stop and think about the ways we define safety? Sharing some of my thoughts about safety, how we ask questions about it and how we unpick ideas. If you have any feedback on this episode or any reading to share with me - please reach out! 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Feb 9, 2025 · 47 min
A very honest insight into being an independent social worker
Not my usual podcast but I am asked all the time about my current role in training, consultancy, having a podcast and doing independent social work so I wanted to give some very honest insights Please remember, this is just my personal experience so I'm hoping it might help at least one person out there. If you want to get in touch about this episode please reach out! 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Jan 29, 2025 · 40 min
Social Work and School nursing: How can we work together with Nurse Angie Jay
I loved this conversation with the wonderful Angie! I've had some not -so - good experiences with school nurses, and Angie has had some not-so-good experiences with social workers. In this very honest conversation we look at multi agency working, what it really means in practice and how we can overcome some of the challenges in co working. Follow Angie: https://www.instagram.com/nurseangiejay/ 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Jan 26, 2025 · 17 min
Social Work, Lies and Traitors
As social workers, how often do we hold the expectation that people should tell us the truth? How does that contradict with our mainstream entertainment, a tv show that is focused on lies and deception? In this short episode I'm inviting you to think about why people lie, and why we should avoid taking it personally as social workers. Recommended reading: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/the-traitors-unconscious-bias A great read on organisational deception with definitions of different types of lies: Jenkins, S., & Delbridge, R. (2020). Exploring Organizational Deception: Organizational Contexts, Social Relations and Types of Lying. Organization Theory, 1(2). An alternative perspective on lying for patients in dementia care: Frederik Schou-Juul & Sigurd Lauridsen. (2024) Caregivers’ perceptions of lying to people with dementia in Denmark: a qualitative study. Aging & Mental Health 28:11, pages 1471-1478. 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Jan 18, 2025 · 13 min
How to overcome the 'what if' worries as a Newly Qualified Social Worker
This is for you if you are an ASYE feeling worried or apprehensive about something you have coming up. I'm sharing practical strategies for that sense of dread you feel before home visits, meetings, whatever it is that is leaving you unsure. I reference this article which I'd recommend reading: Louise O’Connor, Agile Emotion Practices: Findings from an Ethnographic Study of Children and Families Social Work, The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 52, Issue 7, October 2022, Pages 4149–4170 To join The Social Work Collective: socialworksorted.com/collective 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Jan 6, 2025 · 16 min
The 1 reminder social workers need before starting an assessment
Free Assessment Ebook https://www.socialworksorted.com/free-ebook The Child and Family Assessment Guide 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Jan 5, 2025 · 17 min
Returning to Social Work after a break or time away
It's return to work week for so many of us after a December break, although I know that social workers usually work duty rotas as an unrecognised emergency service during this time! If you are heading back to the office (or virtual office) after a break or time off then here are some simple reminders for how to make this as stress free as possible! 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Jan 5, 2025 · 24 min
My 5 biggest lessons from 2024
I have way more than 5 lessons and so many more mistakes made but I wanted to share these as I think they have the most connection with social workers. This is an amazing reflective activity to try either individually, in supervision, as a team or through direct work! 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Jan 5, 2025 · 18 min
Happy New Year! The mantra I'm taking with me for 2025
In the first episode of 2025 I wanted to share my mantra for the year. I do this every year so I have an idea to come back to and ground me. Beginning the year of podcasts with a very honest episode - I'd love to know if you find this helpful! 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Dec 18, 2024 · 49 min
Burnout and resilience for new social workers, with Sass Boucher
Join me and Sass as we talk about wellbeing, resilience and burnout - a conversation for any social worker at any time of the year - but I think as we head to the end of 2024 and into a new year, it's more relevant than ever! Thank you so much for listening! Details to get in touch with Sass (she's fab - drop her an email!) sass@sassboucher.com https://www.sassboucher.com/ 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Nov 29, 2024 · 58 min
Reflections on the Black and Diverse Safeguarding Professionals Conference with Le'Siran Edwards
Join me and Le'Siran as she shares the process of building the first Black and Diverse Safeguarding Professionals Conference, as well as reflections on the event and future events! Contact Le'Siran: info@socialworkcoachinghub.com socialworkcoachinghub.com/ socialworkcoachinghub.com/events https://www.instagram.com/lesiran.edwards/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesiranedwards/ 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Nov 13, 2024 · 51 min
When do parenting influencers become a safeguarding issue? with Dr Emma Svanberg
As a parent and a social worker I consume content created by parents and for parents. Social media is a minefield and we are in a time where 'honest' parenting is celebrated. But what happens when brutal honesty crosses a line into abusive or offensive language... should there be accountability about this? I see middle age white women talking about their children on social media using words that would be viewed as emotional abuse in a safeguarding context. I am so grateful to Dr Emma for joining me to unpick the nuances of this conversation. Join me and Dr Emma Svanberg as we talk about the intersections of parenting and social media, what we consume, what we share and the layers of influencing. 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Nov 7, 2024 · 18 min
Working with 'difficult' social work managers (it's not what you think!)
This is a podcast response to a question on social media. I've never been a manager but I hear from them almost as much as I hear from new social workers so hopefully this insight offers some balance, as well as practical suggestions for those struggling! 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.
Nov 6, 2024 · 16 min
NQSW feeling overwhelmed and overthinking? This is for you
I asked my instagram followers what they wanted me to cover in an episode and Becki (hi!) said she was a NQSW feeling overwhelmed and couldn't stop overthinking... so this is for you! 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 Social Work Sorted Membership Podcast Join the Social Work Sorted Membership on Patreon for CPD & Resources to build your confidence as an early career social worker Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/vickishevlin_ Instagram.com/socialworksorted Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted https://www.patreon.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.