In this episode, we hear from Aqualma S. Y. Murray M.A.  Aqualma recently published her first book entitled; Journey to Spiritual self - internal empowerment.  She is an ordained interfaith minister, a certified counsellor of survivors of abuse and holds qualifications in social group work an award in advanced award in social work and a Masters in Social Work. 

In this interview, she shares aspects of her early career journey, her interest in the Criminal Justice System, her commitment to survivors of sexual abuse and herself being a survivor.  She speaks about her Probation Service career and some interesting work with woman offenders.  Aqualma reflects on her work with young woman offenders and the challenges involved.

She also shares her parallel careers as a Trainer & Educator and as an Interfaith minister and most recently her work as a LADO - Local Authority Designated Officer, where she works within Children Services and gives advice and guidance to employers, organisations and to individuals who have concerns about the behaviour of an adult who works with children and young people.    Aqualma also shares the concerns she has about her work and the many positive aspects.

Additional info:

Book available at Amazon, Waterstones, Barnes & Noble (US): 'Journey to Spiritual Self - Internal Empowerment' by Aqualma S.Y.Murray, M.A.

Fb: Aqualma Sandra Yvonne Murray

YouTube: Aqualma Murray - 'Working constructively with emotionally distressed children'  - Aqualma Murray Young Minds 

Please reach out to Sylvia at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Carol Atkinson shares what she has learned about the US medical system and the complexities around providing services to clients. She talks about how she provides therapy to her clients and some of the challenges. She shares how she relocated to a new country and how she seeks to re-establish herself in a new town.

We also hear how she supports her local communities and has become involved in charity and not for profit activities. Dr Carol considers her life partners support and input to be critical in terms of helping her make objective and clear decisions and she shares why this is the case.

Finally, we hear about her latest project - a couples workshop - which she was excited about and keen to deliver.

Please reach out to Sylvia at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of August Shorts, Dr Sylvia shares why she set up the SWM podcast, her hopes for what it will contribute to the profession and wider community / and society's understanding of the profession. 

She also shares a little about her background and early career. Sylvia is an Associate Lecturer at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, teaching on their MA & Doctorate programmes in Social Work. 

She also works part time as an Independent Consultant where she undertakes short term contracts, and really feels she she is in the right place in terms of her career.  She is able to give back and make maximum use of the wealth of experience she has gained over 34 years in this profession.

Please reach out to Sylvia at [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr Sylvia speaks to Natalie. Natalie has just qualified and shares her concerns about the future, her desire to work with children and children's families but her concern at moving from the familiar grounds of mental health. She touches on concerns of managing overwhelm, asks questions about how to protect herself and shares how the job search went!

Several organisations are mentioned during this episode:

British Association of Social Workers
https://www.basw.co.uk/

Nagalro: The Professional Association for Children's Guardians, Family Court Advisers and Independent Social Workers.
http://www.nagalro.com/

SWU, Social Workers Union
http://basw.co.uk/social-workers-union/opt-swu

Contact Dr. Sylvia

Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Sylvia speaks to Nicole M Louis to get her views on the Social Work profession now and in the past. Nicole is an Independent social worker and the founder of All About Families.

As part of this pre-launch series of episodes, Dr Sylvia and Nicole touch on the concerns that have been around for both the local authorities and the social workers within them for many years.

Nicole has a particular affinity with those social workers feel they are working in an uncaring environment and often less feeling deskilled. 

So many social workers reach a cross road where they are considering leaving the profession despite the fact that they still love social work but they don't love the environment which they end up working in. Nicole is launching an online course for those who want to find a way to continue with their social work but as an independent social worker.  She uses her experience of making the transition to an independent social worker herself and all the lessons she has learned in running her own business.

Dr Sylvia will be talking more to Nicole in future episodes

Contacting Nicole:

Facebook:  The Independent Social Workers EXCLUSIVE Club

Web: https://www.allaboutfamilies.co.uk/

Contact Dr. Sylvia

Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Sylvia introduces Social Worker Matters (SWM) and what you can expect in this pre-launch month of August and the first full season starting in September.

Running weekly through August, SWM will continue on a fortnightly basis.

Why not join Dr. Sylvia and get to know more about this demanding but rewarding profession, more about Dr. Sylvia and get ready to contribute yourself.

Contact Dr. Sylvia

Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.