Social Work Spotlight

In this episode I speak with Madison, currently undertaking her third year of a Bachelor of Social Work at The University of Sydney. Madison works for an Employment Service Provider contracted by the Department of Human Services and has experience in aged care in-home support work under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, and disability support work with TAFE NSW. Her goal is to eventually work in migrant resettlement, or in a hospital.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Centrelink Job Seeker payment - https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/jobseeker-payment
• Career Transition Assistance - https://jobsearch.gov.au/career-transition-assistance
• Employability Skills Training - https://www.employment.gov.au/employability-skills-training
• Transfer of ADHC services to the non-government sector (factsheet) - https://www.ndp.org.au/images/factsheets/508/2017-05-adhc-services-to-non-gov-where-are-we-at.pdf
• National Disability Insurance Scheme - https://www.ndis.gov.au/
• The Guardian article: Life on the breadline: $4.50 on a coffee? Who can afford that? - https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/mkzgCROND2uvgOwy0S9jd08?domain=theguardian.com
• I, Daniel Blake movie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Daniel_Blake
  

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CksghmlZeTiLMXLF8Qxa_UCHAjWb5Dzg-hgFU0P5jCk/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Felicity, who in addition to social work, has trained in art therapy and education, psychotherapy and corrective services. She worked in the prison system for 18 years supporting inmates and running groups and workshops. She now works as a teacher of Community Services, Ageing & Disability & Community Arts & Cultural Development at TAFE, supporting a combination of high school students and adults, providing training for those wanting to work in community settings, or looking for a pathway to university studies.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Milk Crate Theatre - https://www.milkcratetheatre.com/
• TAFE NSW Community Services courses - https://www.tafensw.edu.au/courses/community-services-courses
• St Vincent de Paul Society article (Ability Links celebrates cultural diversity) - https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/News/NSW/Media_Releases/Media_Releases_Archive/Media_Releases_2016/Ability_Links_celebrates_cultural_diversity/
• Hilary Cottam and Radical Help - https://www.hilarycottam.com/radical-help/
• Hilary Cottam’s TED Talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/hilary_cottam_social_services_are_broken_how_we_can_fix_them?language=en
• Sydney Alliance - https://www.sydneyalliance.org.au/
• The Five Minute Advocate podcast - https://omny.fm/shows/the-five-minute-advocate/playlists/podcast
• 40 Critical Thinkers in Community Development (book) - https://practicalactionpublishing.com/book/2486/40-critical-thinkers-in-community-development
• Tyson Yunkaporta’s Sand Talk - https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/sand-talk
  

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrzedQ0NV_2MYBuZxMOG_HtWmJlaYdFDXKHBVTySgyQ/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Shiri, a Clinical Social Worker and Art Therapist. She has spent over 25 years working with children and adults who have experienced trauma, and mental health professionals who work with them. Her work spans private practice, public facilitation and research. Throughout her work, Shiri has found that art is a wonderful tool in which children (and adults) can communicate a vast variety of feelings in a non-threatening way. In addition to individual therapy and running therapeutic groups for women and children, Shiri has spent the last few years refining a model for preschools, using creative groups.

Shiri’s next course on Understanding Trauma and the Healing Pathways of Art Therapy) starts on May 25. It will run as a 6 week course and if you use my name in the coupon code section (spelled Yasmine) you will be able to access an exclusive discount. Also, there is an early bird discounted price available if you sign up by May 17. https://art2heart.newzenler.com/courses/livecourse/

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Dadirri - A Reflection By Miriam - Rose Ungunmerr- Baumann - http://www.dadirri.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Dadirri-Inner-Deep-Listening-M-R-Ungunmerr-Bauman-Refl1.pdf
• Trauma, Culture, and Metaphor: Pathways of Transformation and Integration (John Wilson & Jacob Lindy) - https://www.routledge.com/Trauma-Culture-and-Metaphor-Pathways-of-Transformation-and-Integration/Wilson-Lindy/p/book/9780415953313
• Shiri’s website - https://www.art2heart.academy/
• AASW professional resource library - https://www.aasw.asn.au/practitioner-resources/professional-resources

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jL90YH8VTRPqEKLnXWgGGKo8k1GUIqNLAkXuTJDo3QM/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Lucia, a social worker and rehab case manager, specialising in acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, and mental health. Lucia worked for many years in the disability and social services in England and Spain before arriving in Australia in 2012 and commencing work as a Case Manager. She provides a person-centred approach to assist individuals to achieve their goals, and enable them to live independently in the community whilst adjusting to their new circumstances.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• ARBIAS - https://www.arbias.org.au/index.php
• Inspire Rehab & Psychology - http://inspirerehabandpsychology.com.au/
• The Business of Social Work Australia Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1919283988289631
• International Network of Social Work Acquired Brain Injury - https://www.inswabi.org/grahame-simpson
• Australian Association of Social Workers National Practice Groups - https://www.aasw.asn.au/practitioner-resources/practice-groups
• Synapse, Australia's Brain Injury Organisation - https://synapse.org.au/
• NSW Spinal Outreach Service (Royal Rehab) - https://royalrehab.com.au/rehab-services/spinal-injury-services/nsw-spinal-outreach-service/
  

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AkxHx1il6f_sm3eKPg-JMVikLic9vbMNFAHTM7Wmvds/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Alys, an experienced Trauma Specific Therapist and Social Worker specialising in children, young people and families who have experienced trauma, abuse, out of home care and the child protection system.  Alys is also a yoga teacher trainer, combining yogic healing modalities with trauma counselling to provide holistic healing and self care opportunities, that increase resilience and supports people to access their internal resources to use in their unique recovery journeys.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Lanktree & Briere, Treating Complex Trauma in Children and Their Families - https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/treating-complex-trauma-in-children-and-their-families/book240702
• Briere & Scott, Principles of Trauma Therapy - https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/principles-of-trauma-therapy/book242990
• Briere & Lanktree, Treating Complex Trauma in Adolescents and Young Adults - https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/treating-complex-trauma-in-adolescents-and-young-adults/book234528
• Briere’s Child Abuse Trauma - https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/child-abuse-trauma/book3308
• Pat Ogden and the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute - https://sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/
• Dan Hughes and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy - http://www.danielhughes.org/
• Help for the Helper: The Psychophysiology of Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma by Babette Rothschild - http://www.somatictraumatherapy.com/help-for-the-helper
• Integrating attachment theory and yoga with traumatic treatment (Diedre Fay) - https://dfay.com/
• Yoga for emotional balance (Bo Forbes) - https://boforbes.com/
  

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19mr0SxKQ9O13__lwELkGQmVSs5PQfaSaOE1o_OmfgpU/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Jon, whose life has been dedicated to living and serving amongst Australia’s most disadvantaged. His work has seen him sharing his home with people seeking asylum, refugees, people in recovery, and ex-prisoners. Born in Malaysia and migrating to Australia in the 1970s, Jon’s life is testament to the power of hospitality. Jon heads up Wayside Chapel and continues Wayside’s mission of creating community with no “us and them”.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• An article in The Guardian newspaper on the sanctuary movement to protect asylum seekers (2016) - https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/mar/13/the-whole-nation-is-on-board-inside-the-sanctuary-movement-to-protect-asylum-seekers
• Wayside Chapel - https://www.waysidechapel.org.au/
• Love Over Hate (a book by Graham Long, Jon’s predecessor at Wayside Chapel) - https://shop.waysidechapel.org.au/products/love-over-hate-graham-long
• Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre - https://smrc.org.au/
• Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH) - https://unoh.org/
• ABC Australian Story article on Jon commencing in the role of Wayside CEO (2018) - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-20/changing-of-the-guard-at-wayside-chapel/10132328
  

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C5TfcyxHkMRODKvdi0Bco4aAWMrFYA2IPjHGz0k0j1o/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Gabriela, a student in her final year of Social Work at the Australian Catholic University. Originally from Brazil, she has lived in Italy and London, and has been involved in charitable work from an early age. During her degree she has had the opportunity to work within a number of different organisations advocating for various social issues, including child protection, refugees, international students and the Brazilian community in Australia. This has giving her a tremendous taste for the different areas of social work and is extremely excited by her career in social work ahead.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

Oz International Students Chapter Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/Oz-International-Students-Chapter-101032838357202

Sydney Alliance, International Students - https://www.sydneyalliance.org.au/internationalstudents

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dU7UdKZxO0ox6HvxNs92Z88S9gw_CtdYNJu6FYf7eqQ/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I have two guests joining me for the first time. I speak with Robina and Belinda about their work in the Disability and Sexual Violence Team at the NSW Health Education Centre Against Violence. This portfolio funding has come out of the Royal Commission into responses to abuse in institutionalised settings to improve responses to people with disability who have experienced sexual violence, as well as for children and young people who are using problematic and harmful sexualised behaviours. They have both had incredible careers demonstrating an ongoing commitment to furthering an intersectional understanding of structural and interpersonal forms of violence and inequalities while trying to cultivate reflective, trauma-informed and socially just responses in direct practice and advocacy.  They believe providing education and training is a crucial part of social work practice, as well as social work clinicians being involved in lobbying for structural change.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

AASW Social Workers in Disability Practice Group - https://www.aasw.asn.au/new-south-wales/groups/swid

Council for Intellectual Disability - https://cid.org.au/

New Street services - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/parvan/hsb/Pages/new-street-services.aspx

NSW Health Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV) - http://www.ecav.health.nsw.gov.au/

NSW Service for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors - https://www.startts.org.au/

People with Disability Australia - https://pwd.org.au/

Royal Commission final report, understanding child sexual abuse in institutional contexts - https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/final-report

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability - https://disability.royalcommission.gov.au/

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jhWFyMVZH1BucGSzyXpq-9zpqrjoZXaNSLw_FiT_x9c/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Lara, whose interest in Social Work began with volunteering for the Dublin AIDS Helpline in 1990, working with non-Government organisations in an administration role, training in welfare in the late '90s and commencing as a case manager for a women's refuge.  Lara completed her social work degree in 2010 while working as a Housing Support Officer for ACON and is now the social work team leader for the Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

ACON - https://www.acon.org.au/ 

Adahps (formally the AIDS Dementia and HIV Psychiatry Service, providing a range of services to assist people who have HIV related cognitive impairment and complex health needs) -  https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/adahps/Pages/contacts.aspx

Bobby Goldsmith Foundation - https://www.bgf.org.au/

Melbourne Sexual Health Clinic - https://www.mshc.org.au/AboutUs/ClinicalServices/tabid/98/Default.aspx#.X_o-ntgzZPY

NSW STI Programs Unit - https://stipu.nsw.gov.au/

Play Safe (NSW Health) - https://playsafe.health.nsw.gov.au/ 

Sexual Health Counsellors Association of NSW - https://stipu.nsw.gov.au/sexual-health-counsellors-association-of-nsw-scan/

Sexual Health Info Link - https://www.shil.nsw.gov.au/ 

Sex Workers Outreach Project - https://swop.org.au/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mc332ESIYnhikAVtlImh_YcUs7J4N17O/view?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Vanessa, who works for The Blue Knot Foundation’s National Counselling & Referral Service supporting The Disability Royal Commission & COVID19 Disability Information Support Line. Vanessa has practised as a social worker in the disability, employment, aged care and organisational psychology fields, as well as for Centrelink offices in Darwin and Alice Springs, which serve a largely Indigenous population. Due to her strong interest in policy practice, analysis, writing and research, she was also previously a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers' National Social Policy Committee, and has more recently engaged in a number of advocacy activities in the sexual assault field.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KJ85IUELJByGVH3Y5NXnajkbvFsRWc0DdYDHfcmF2sE/edit?usp=sharing

This episode's transcript can be viewed here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19-p5FH_z91UoDm3_kVIe2B1aBKmdf4UDrbUsukplxZc/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.