In this episode of Gamechangers | Changemakers, we sit down with Dr Amy Bromley, a former Policy and Advocacy Lead at CAFFSA (Child and Family Focus SA). Amy tackles challenges like managing her introverted nature, navigating burnout, and the tensions of neoliberal funding, stressing that supporting the workforce sustains service delivery.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to amplify the voices of children, families, and practitioners in policy and legislative spaces
• Why leadership in social work is about rebalancing power and embracing co-design and co-governance
• How to manage introversion, energy, and self-care in high-pressure environments
• How to balance compliance demands with person-cantered leadership in a neoliberal funding context

About Amy

Dr Amy Bromley is a social worker with over a decade of experience supporting children, young people, and families. She has worked in statutory child protection and as a trauma therapist and is skilled in assessments of parenting capacity, attachment, and reflective functioning, using the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics to guide trauma-informed treatment planning. Her research advocates for systemic child protection reform through trauma-informed approaches that build practitioner resilience and improve services for families.

Learn more about Amy’s research here: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4527-7516 

Follow Amy on LinkedIn here: https://au.linkedin.com/in/amy-bromley-59230821 

Resources mentioned:

• Child and Family Focus SA amplifies the voices of children, young people and families involved in family support and child protection sectors. https://www.childandfamily-sa.org.au/
• Vikki Reynolds: A social work theorist advocating for collective care and addressing moral distress. Read more about Vikki’s A Supervision of Solidarity here: https://vikkireynolds.ca/writings/articles/ 
• CREATE Foundation: A youth advisory groups amplifying young voices in child protection. Learn more about CREATE here: https://create.org.au/
• Connecting Foster and Kinship Carers: A peak representative body advocating for carers in the child protection system. Learn more here: https://cfc-sa.org.au/ 
• The Reily Foundation: A not-for-profit organisation offering education and support to parents navigating the Child Protection System in South Australia. Learn more about the Foundation here: https://thereily.foundation/ 

Want to dive deeper? Here are some more resources to explore:

• Leadership and solidarity behaviour: Consensus in perception of employees within teams, by Karin Sanders & Birgit Schyns: https://doi.org/10.1108/00483480610682280
• From Self-Care to Collective Care Human Rights Defenders: Their Roots Faces and Stories, by Lisa Chamerlain: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3822690

Gamechangers | Changemakers is produced by UniSA and hosted by:

Associate Professor Michelle Jones

Cleo Riddy

If you want to get in touch, you can email: [email protected].

In this episode of Gamechangers | Changemakers, we're joined by Claire Hyland, the clinical lead social worker for mental health in regional South Australia. Claire shares her real-world strategies for balancing relationships, advocating for human rights, and staying true to social justice values… all while maintaining self-compassion as a leader.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The importance of maintaining self-compassion as a social justice leader
• Practical tips for clinical supervision and navigating tough conversations
• The role social workers must play in championing a human rights approach to mental health
• The importance of creating psychologically safe workplaces for mental health professionals

About Claire

Claire Hyland is an Advanced Clinical Lead Social Worker in mental health with 24 years of experience across South Australia, the UK, and metropolitan Adelaide. She’s passionate about human rights, reducing restrictive practices, and creating psychologically safe workplaces. Claire also trains others in supported decision-making and consumer-directed care. 

Resources mentioned:

• Crucial Conversations: A training framework for handling challenging and difficult discussions, written by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan & Al Switzler. Find the book online or in the library today.
• Brené Brown: An American social worker and author whose work focuses on vulnerability, courage, and shame. Read The Power of Vulnerability: Teachings on Authenticity, Connection, & Courage or listen to Brené’s The Power of Vulnerability TED Talk.
• Amy Edmondson: A Harvard Business School professor and author known for her work on psychological safety in the workplace. Read Amy’s Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams here: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2666999
• Daphne Houston Model: A model of reflective practice used in supervision: https://www.reflectivesupervision.com/

Want to dive deeper? Here are some more resources to explore:

• Emancipatory decoloniality as leadership in social service organizations: Insights from Indigenous and anti-oppressive yarnings, by Bindi Bennet, Donna Baines, Maresse Terare & Amanda Howard: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaf104 
•  Imposter Syndrome in Social Work Practice: Clinical Considerations and Implications, by D. Apgar & L. Zerrusen: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-024-00971-w
• ‘Do you know the impostor syndrome?’ Professional identity among early-career social workers, by Y. Hochman, E. Segev & O. Shai: https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2022.2061945 

Gamechangers | Changemakers is produced by UniSA and hosted by:

Associate Professor Michelle Jones

Cleo Riddy

If you want to get in touch, you can email: [email protected].

In this episode of Gamechangers | Changemakers, we welcome Dr. Jen Hamer, a social work practitioner, manager, and academic with over 35-years of experience. Jen discusses her philosophy of leadership and explains why social work must remain a systems-based practice rooted in justice and equity.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The principles of social work as a systems-based practice
• The importance of Dadirri, an Aboriginal spiritual practice of deep listening and quiet awareness, in problem solving 
• How narrative therapy concepts, such as the landscape of meaning, can help distil purpose
• How to write strong grant submissions rooted in program logic and collaboration

About Dr. Jen Hamer

Dr. Jen Hamer is an academic and leader who has dedicated many years to social work practice and management. At the time of recording, she worked for Relationships Australia South Australia (RASA) and has overseen various counselling and post-care support programs. Her PhD research focused on the transformative outcomes of incorporating lived experience and peer education into practice. Jen's work is deeply influenced by systems theory, feminism, and Indigenous wisdom, with a commitment to justice, equity, and holding space for the core purpose of social work.

Learn more about Jen’s work at Relationships Australia SA here: https://www.rasa.org.au/about/

Follow Jen on LinkedIn here: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jenhamer 

People and Resources mentioned:

• Dr. Gabor Maté: A physician specialising in trauma and addiction, mentioned for his advice on sitting with difficult emotions about the state of the world. Find out more here: https://drgabormate.com/ 
• Professor Jan Breckenridge: A social work leader, teacher, and feminist activist at the University of New South Wales, who advocates for victims of sexual and domestic violence. Read the paper Jen & Jan wrote together here: https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/12873 
• Kerrie James: A family systems therapist known for forging a feminist model of systems family therapy. Learn more about Kerrie here: https://www.insiteconsulting.com.au/about-kerrie 
• Dadirri (Deep Listening): An Aboriginal spiritual practice of contemplation and deep, respectful listening, shared by Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann. Learn more about Dadirri here: https://www.miriamrosefoundation.org.au/dadirri/ 
• Mickey O’Brien: As a proud Kaurna and Narrunga man, Uncle Mickey is a passionate and active advocate for the recognition of Aboriginal culture, language and history. He is also an Aboriginal Practice Manager at Relationships SA. Follow Uncle Mickey on LinkedIn here: https://au.linkedin.com/in/michael-obrien-a89976119 

Want to dive deeper? Here are some more resources to explore:

Learn more about the Landscape of Meaning here: https://dulwichcentre.com.au/ 

This episode was recorded in Feb. 2025 and edited by Solstice Podcasting.

Gamechangers | Changemakers is produced by UniSA and hosted by:

Associate Professor Michelle Jones

Cleo Riddy

If you want to get in touch, you can email: [email protected].

In this episode of Gamechangers | Changemakers, we chat online with Professor Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail from Sapir Academic College, situated near the Gaza border. As a Palestinian Arab social work leader in an Israeli academic institution, Nuzha discusses how genuine leadership means acting against injustice, challenging exclusionary criteria, breaking rules when necessary for social justice, and speaking out against systemic racism.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to move beyond silence and use your voice to challenge systemic injustice
• Why social work leadership sometimes means challenging rigid institutional rules for the betterment of communities
• The unique challenges of being a minority leader and academic in a conflict zone 
• How lifting up women through Social Work can lift up entire communities

About Prof. Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail

Prof. Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Work at Sapir Academic College, Israel, located near Gaza. As a Palestinian Arab academic in an Israeli institution, she is a fierce advocate for social justice, especially for the Bedouin community, and champions the inclusion of Indigenous voices and knowledge in the academy. She is also the driving force behind the ‘Gateway to the Academy’ program.

Learn more about Nuzha’s work here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nuzha-Allassad-Alhuzail 

Follow Nuzha on LinkedIn here: https://il.linkedin.com/in/prof-nuzha-allassad-alhuzail-599215a6 

Resources mentioned:

• Prof. Alhuzail’s work looking at the Nakba: A range of articles published by Prof. Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail. Find them here: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Q7u75ZQAAAAJ 

Want to dive deeper? Here are some more resources to explore:

• Addressing the Ongoing Effects of the Nakba: Experiences and Challenges that Israel’s Arab Social Workers Face, by Prof. Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcad225
• Social Workers as Leaders Rather than as Agents of Change, by Prof. Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcac044
• An Arab Lecturer, Jewish Students, and Social Work in a Conflict Area, by Prof. Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail: https://doi.org/10.1177/08861099211038935
• Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts., by Brené Brown: https://brenebrown.com/book/dare-to-lead/ 

This episode was recorded in 12/2023 with initial edits by Akshay Ramkumar. Final edits by Solstice Podcasting.

Gamechangers | Changemakers is produced by UniSA and hosted by:

Associate Professor Michelle Jones

Cleo Riddy

If you want to get in touch, you can email: [email protected].

In this episode of Gamechangers | Changemakers, we chat with Dr. Michele Jarldorn, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at UniSA and Chairperson of Seeds of Affinity. Michele shares her journey to becoming a leader and advocate for criminalised women and reflects on what it means to grapple with imposter syndrome as a leader.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The concept of radical co-design and the importance of living the politics of the community you serve
• How to use the Photovoice method to amplify voices of people with Lived Experience
• The principles of understanding leadership beyond formal titles and being guided by the Code of Ethics 
• How to leverage imposter syndrome to achieve excellence and change

About Dr. Michele Jarldorn

Dr. Michele Jarldorn is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the UniSA. Her academic background is underpinned by her PhD thesis, Radically Rethinking Imprisonment: A Photovoice Exploration of life in and after prison in South Australia. She is also Chairperson of Seeds of Affinity, a vital peer-led community group that provides support and pathways for criminalised women. Michele is a strong advocate for anti-carceral, systems-change practice, deeply committed to social justice, feminism, and decolonisation.

Learn more about Michele’s work: 

Google Scholar

LinkedIn

Resources mentioned:

• Photovoice Method: a research method that uses photography and narrative to empower participants. This method was used by Michele in her PhD thesis, Radically Rethinking Imprisonment: A Photovoice Exploration of life in and after prison in South Australia, which you can access here: https://theses.flinders.edu.au/view/90c3de9e-5a3f-4f64-8cc2-353aafdf04b7/1 
• Shaking off the Imposter Syndrome: A paper co-authored by Michele and Kathomi Gatwiri. Access here: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-86570-2_32  
• Seeds of Affinity: A non-profit organisation run by and for women with lived prison experience. 

Want to dive deeper? Try these resources:

• Radically rethinking social work in the criminal (in)justice system in Australia, by Dr. Michele Jarldorn: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0886109919866160 
• Participatory action research with ex-prisoners: using photovoice and one woman’s story told through poetry, by Dr. Michele Jarldorn: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1476750317719140 

This episode was recorded Jan. 24 and edited by Eric Hsu, UniSA. 

Gamechangers | Changemakers is produced by UniSA and hosted by:

Associate Professor Michelle Jones

Cleo Riddy

If you want to get in touch, you can email: [email protected].

In this episode, Dr. Michelle Jones and Cleo Riddy chat with social work leader Dr. Nuzha Allassad Alhuzail from the School of Social Work at Sapir Academic College in Israel.