The Social Work Pivot

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In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, I’m joined by Valeria Kadelski (Val), an ICF-certified coach, who helps professionals navigate career transitions with clarity and confidence. Originally from Italy and now based in Denmark, Val specialises in supporting millennial expats in building fulfilling, purpose-driven careers.  

Coaching can be a powerful tool for us as social workers —not only for managing challenging workplace dynamics and securing that next promotion, but also for exploring new career possibilities. Whether you’re looking to use coaching to navigate your own career path or considering training as a coach yourself, this episode is packed with valuable insights. 

In this episode, Val shares:  

✅ How coaching can help social workers manage workplace challenges, career transitions, and leadership growth  

✅ Why coaching skills are a natural fit for social workers—and how they can be applied beyond frontline practice  

✅ Practical steps to take if you’re considering qualifying as a coach

✅ The importance of aligning your career with your values and strengths

If you’re a social worker considering a career pivot, looking to develop coaching skills to enhance your practice, or even exploring a future as a qualified coach, this episode is for you!  

Connect with Val:

Email: [email protected]  

Website: www.sparkcoachingwithval.com

LinkedIn: in/valeriakadelski/

@sparkcoachingwithval

ACT - https://coachingfederation.org/blog/acceptance-and-commitment is the practice in psychotherapy, and ACC is the term for Acceptance and Commitment Coaching, which is inspired by it. 

Subscribe & Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps more social workers and career changers find the podcast! 

Let’s dive in! 🎧

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Are you feeling burnt out in statutory child and family social work but don’t want to leave social work altogether? You’re not alone. Many social workers reach a point where the long hours, high caseloads, and emotional strain become overwhelming—but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the profession you love.

In this episode, we revisit the four types of career pivot (see episode 1), and focus on the first career pivot, within the same career and same industry: Staying in social work but changing roles within statutory social work. We break down the key factors that might be contributing to your stress—whether it’s poor management, toxic organisational culture, or a mismatch between your skills and your current role.

Tune in as we discuss:
 ✅ How to identify the real source of your burnout
 ✅ The difference between a bad role and a bad work environment
 ✅ Alternative statutory roles that might better align with your strengths
 ✅ Practical steps to explore new opportunities within statutory social work

If you’re questioning whether you’re “cut out for this”, this episode will help you take a step back, reflect on your options, and plan your next move with confidence.

🎧 Subscribe now and share this episode with a fellow social worker who needs to hear it! Let’s reimagine sustainable careers in social work—without the burnout.

Links:

Episode 1: What is a Career Pivot? Check it out: https://open.spotify.com/episode/77S7bSpNrDXRoJjsjvzq55?si=4f362ee4847e4e9c

Sign up for our newsletter Beyond the Caseload for more success stories, insights and resources to guide and inspire you in your career pivot: www.thesocialworkpivot.com

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In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, we explore why volunteering can be a game-changer for social workers looking to expand their skills, build networks, and even pivot their careers.

Many social workers underestimate the value of trusteeship and volunteering, yet these roles provide opportunities to gain governance experience, influence decision-making, and develop leadership skills that can open doors to new career paths. Whether you're considering a move into independent practice, policy work, or a leadership role, volunteering offers a low-risk way to explore new opportunities while making a meaningful impact.

We discuss:
 🔹 Why social workers make great trustees and board members
 🔹 How volunteering can build credibility and leadership experience
 🔹 Real-life examples of social workers who used volunteering to pivot their careers
 🔹 Practical steps to find the right trustee or volunteering opportunity

Want to explore trustee roles and volunteering opportunities?
 🔹 Find trustee vacancies: Reach Volunteering
🔹 Learn about becoming a trustee: The Charity Commission
🔹 Discover volunteer roles: Do-it.org

Links mentioned in this episode:

Association of Child Protection Professionals: https://www.childprotectionprofessionals.org.uk/child-abuse-review/get-involved/

Writing online guidance - Ship for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com/

Want to know more about coaching? Check out this episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vYJIXVAb5sIoZwAjH6vQA?si=4533f98081dc44be

If you’re thinking about your next career move, this episode is packed with practical advice on how volunteering can accelerate your journey. Tune in now and take the next step in your career growth!

Sign up for our newsletter Beyond the Caseload for more success stories, insights and resources to guide and inspire you in your career pivot: www.thesocialworkpivot.com

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In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, I’m joined by Sarah Cairns, a trauma-informed social worker with over a decade of experience across child protection, fostering and adoption, court work, and residential care in Scotland and England. Now balancing independent social work alongside a statutory role, Sarah shares her journey, insights on making the transition, and how she stays up to date with legislation, policy, and evidence-based practice.

We discuss:

✅ Sarah’s journey into social work 
✅ The realities of combining statutory and independent social work
✅ Key training and specialisms, including DDP, Theraplay, and AIM 3 risk assessment

🔗 Helpful Links:

• Practicing Social Work in Scotland – Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
• Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) Training – DDP Network
• AIM3 Risk Assessment Framework – AIM Project UK
• Theraplay Training & Resources – The Theraplay Institute

🎧 Tune in for practical insights and advice on making the transition into independent practice while maintaining a statutory role!

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with fellow social workers. 

Let’s get started! 🚀

Sign up for our newsletter Beyond the Caseload for more success stories, insights and resources to guide and inspire you in your career pivot: www.thesocialworkpivot.com

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In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Victoria Adepoju, a social worker, safeguarding trainer, and children's author based in London.

Victoria shares her journey from working in child protection to becoming an advocate for children's safety through literature. Her experiences led her to write No More Secrets Simi and No More Secrets Isaac, books designed to help children recognise and report abuse.

I delve into her motivations for entering social work, her transitions between permanent and locum roles, and her shift from children's social work to social work with adults. Victoria also discusses balancing her writing process with her employment and her family life.

Join us as we explore Victoria's inspiring journey and gain insights into authorship, and career transitions in social work.

Links:

Self-publishing, platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) offer tools to publish eBooks and paperbacks for free, providing direct access to Amazon's vast audience. 

Victoria's books are available on her website, No More Secrets, which offers resources for parents and educators.

Sign up for our newsletter Beyond the Caseload for more success stories, insights and resources to guide and inspire you in your career pivot: www.thesocialworkpivot.com

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In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, I sit down with Peter Buturo, founder of Bold Leap and author of Social Work and Beyond. With years of extensive and direct experience with children in care, Peter’s passionate nature speaks for itself. His own adolescence mirrored that of many children in care, and his caring and helpful personality led him to a career in social work. After 11 years in the profession, Peter recognised the need to prioritise care over profit and built Bold Leap on this foundation. We discuss his powerful motivation for becoming a social worker, his career journey, and his pivot to launching Bold Leap and writing his book. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about purpose, career transitions, and making a meaningful impact beyond traditional social work roles.

Links:

Peter’s book ‘Social Work and Beyond’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Social-Work-Beyond-conscious-entrepreneur/dp/1781338663

Peter's company Bold Leap: https://bold-leap.com/

Peter's publisher Rethink Press: https://rethinkpress.com/

Peter's business coach Daniella Genas: https://bethebossintl.com/about/ 

Sign up for our newsletter Beyond the Caseload for more success stories, insights and resources to guide and inspire you in your career pivot: www.thesocialworkpivot.com

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Thinking about a career pivot but unsure where to start? In this solo episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, Janet explores how coaching can help social workers gain clarity, make confident career decisions, and take action toward new opportunities.

Drawing from her own experiences with coaching, Janet breaks down the difference between coaching and mentoring, introduces practical coaching methods—including the GROW model—and shares powerful coaching questions to guide your career transition.

If you’re feeling stuck or ready for a change, this episode will give you the tools to coach yourself through your next career move. Plus, Janet shares exciting news about her own coaching journey and what’s coming next for the podcast!

👉 Follow The Social Work Pivot Podcast on LinkedIn and subscribe for more career insights!

Sign up for our newsletter Beyond the Caseload for more success stories, insights and resources to guide and inspire you in your career pivot: www.thesocialworkpivot.com

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Podcast Introduction:Rougi started her journey in social work through the Frontline programme, where she honed her skills and passion for supporting families. But Rougi’s story doesn’t stop there. She’s now on an exciting path to becoming a Systemic Psychotherapist and currently works as a Family Therapist within CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).

In this episode, Rougi shares her journey into social work, the motivations behind her decision to pivot towards systemic psychotherapy, and an insightful glimpse into what her work life looks like now. Whether you're considering a career change, curious about the world of family therapy, or just looking for inspiration, Rougi’s story is sure to resonate with you.

So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s dive into Rougi’s incredible journey.

Episode links:

Here are some helpful links for listeners in England considering a similar career pivot from social work to systemic psychotherapy or family therapy:

1. The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT)
   
   
   • https://www.aft.org.uk
   • AFT provides information on systemic psychotherapy, training pathways, accredited courses, and career development in family therapy.
2. The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
   
   
   • https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk
   • UKCP offers resources on registering as a psychotherapist, finding accredited training programs, and exploring career options in psychotherapy.
3. The National Health Service (NHS) Careers – Psychological Therapies
   
   
   • https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies
   • Explore career opportunities, qualifications, and pathways to becoming a family therapist or systemic psychotherapist within the NHS.
4. Frontline
   
   
   • https://thefrontline.org.uk
   • For those interested in starting their journey in social work, Frontline offers a fast-track training program that can lay the foundation for future career pivots.
5. NHS Education for Systemic Psychotherapy Courses
   
   
   • Check with your local NHS trust or academic institution for courses like the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Systemic Psychotherapy. Example institutions:
     • Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust (https://tavistockandportman.nhs.uk)
     • King’s College London (https://www.kcl.ac.uk)
6. British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
   
   
   • https://www.basw.co.uk
   • BASW offers professional development resources and networking opportunities that can support social workers exploring career changes.
7. The Systemic Training Institute
   
   
   • https://www.systemictraininginstitute.co.uk
   • Provides systemic therapy training tailored for professionals looking to advance their careers in family therapy.

Sign up for our newsletter Beyond the Caseload for more success stories, insights and resources to guide and inspire you in your career pivot: www.thesocialworkpivot.com

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Episode Description:

In this inspiring episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, Janet sits down with Angie Bartoli, an accomplished social worker, academic, and author of Becoming a Social Work Manager. Drawing on her extensive career and doctoral research, Angie shares valuable insights into the transition from practitioner to manager and how she found her passion in academia.

Whether you’re considering a career in academia, aiming for a managerial role, or just seeking fresh inspiration, this episode is packed with actionable advice and encouragement to help you navigate your next steps.

🎧 Don’t miss this enriching conversation—listen now and take the next step in your social work career!

📘 Get your copy of Angie's book, Becoming a Social Work Manager, here:
https://www.criticalpublishing.com/becoming-a-social-work-manager
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Becoming-Social-Manager-Angie-Bartoli/dp/1915713757

Follow the podcast for more stories, strategies, and insights to help you pivot and thrive in the ever-evolving world of social work!

Sign up for our newsletter Beyond the Caseload for more success stories, insights and resources to guide and inspire you in your career pivot: www.thesocialworkpivot.com

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In this episode of The Social Work Pivot Podcast, we explore practical strategies to help social workers succeed in job interviews. If you're aiming for a role in statutory services, this episode covers the essentials to ensure you present your skills, communicate your experience, and emphasise your values confidently. Learn what to focus on in your preparation, how to handle common interview questions for social work roles, and ways to stand out by showcasing your unique insights and adaptability. With tips for social workers at every stage of their career, this episode will leave you feeling prepared, confident, and ready to make your next career pivot.

Resources & Further Reading:

- BASW's Careers and CPD Resources: https://www.basw.co.uk/professional-development – The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) offers a range of career development resources, including interview guidance, CPD opportunities, and tools to strengthen your professional profile.

Quick Tips Mentioned in the Episode:

- Research the organisation's values and prepare responses that show how your approach aligns with their mission.
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers to competency-based questions, providing clear and relevant examples.
- Prepare thoughtful questions for your interviewer that demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and an understanding of the organisation’s aims.

Tune in for tips to boost your interview confidence and help you step into your next role with ease!

Sign up for our newsletter Beyond the Caseload for more success stories, insights and resources to guide and inspire you in your career pivot: www.thesocialworkpivot.com