In this episode, I’m talking honestly about Christmas – both as a person and as a social worker. I share my own complicated relationship with the festive season, from hypervigilant childhood Decembers to slowly reclaiming pockets of joy with my own children (yes, including my very extra homemade advent calendar).

Then we look at Christmas in practice: how to protect your own energy in December, set realistic non-negotiables, and gently let go of the traditions and expectations that are stressing you out. I’ll also walk you through some practical reflections for the children and families you work with – from contact/family time and foster carer support, to poverty, gifts, domestic abuse and safety planning that actually means something.

If Christmas feels heavy, complicated or lonely this year, this episode is here to remind you that you’re not alone, and that joy and risk can co-exist – in your life and in your practice.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Finding my Christmas footing (and my intro)
Rusty with podcasting, updates on The Social Work Collective Academy, and the Ofsted masterclass invite.

10:00 – Christmas + you as a social worker
Complicated feelings about Christmas, reparenting, boundaries, non-negotiables, and letting go of festive pressure.

40:00 – Christmas for children and families in practice
Contact/family time, poverty and presents, domestic abuse, safety planning, and holding both risk and joy in social work.

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