SNS speaking on Mothers & children vs poverty, state power & privatization at webinar on 8 December 6.30pm

Four panellists will be sharing their thoughts on how to embody an activist approach to social work practice, and will be tackling the question – can and should social workers be activists?

Colin Turbett - Colin is a social work writer and activist who worked for many years as a front line social worker and latterly a children and family team manager. Throughout his social work career he was active in the trade union Unison. Colin will be talking on the topic of ‘Building cultures of resistance in the workplace’ – he will be discussing trade unions and highlighting the main aspects of radical social work.

Support not Separation - Nina Lopez and Tracey Norton from Legal Action for Women be will be speaking about their experiences as coordinators of Support Not Separation (SNS), a coalition campaigning to end the unwarranted and damaging separation of children from their mother or other primary carer. SNS holds a monthly picket (during lockdown a twitter storm) of the central family court to expose the systemic discrimination mothers face in the family courts, especially those who are women of colour, single mothers, disabled women and victims of domestic violence and calls for an end to the secrecy of the family courts.  They will be talking on the topic of ‘Mothers and children vs poverty, state power and privatization’.

Project 17 - Project 17 is a small organisation working to end destitution among migrant families excluded from mainstream welfare and social housing by their immigration status (no recourse to public funds/NRPF). In particular, it works to improve the provision of support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, which allows social services to provide accommodation, cash and other support to families with children in need. Unfortunately, support under section 17 tends to be very poorly implemented. Project 17 provides direct advice and advocacy; works with other organisations to build their capacity to support families with NRPF; and campaigns on the issues affecting its clients. Abi Brunswick, Director of Project 17, will be speaking.

Allison Hulmes  - Allison is the national director for Wales at the British Association of Social Workers, she is co- founding member of the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Social Work Association and is a proud Welsh Romani. Allison will be speaking about the fragility of professional social work competence in anti-racist/anti-oppressive practice with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

Remember to register in advance for this webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CkPgaVLtTaaeh8gZWeVIQQ

We look forward to seeing you there.

Students Decolonising Social Work @decolonising_sw sdecolonisingsocialwork@gmail.com