I recently attending 2 conferences that didn't feel like conferences at all. The Contextual Safeguarding Conference in Durham and the Trauma Informed Consultancy Services Conference in Manchester (mini celebration for events that take place outside of London!). I wanted to share all my reflections with you, messy, unedited, reading from my notes and very clearly still on a high from being with likeminded people, learning and very much seeing hope in action. If you wanted to go to the co...

This might be the most important episode I’ve ever shared. It’s about a cupboard — but really, it’s about care, action, and what it means to truly learn as a social worker. I tell the story of a messy cupboard in my first job, how clearing it shaped the way I’ve approached learning ever since, and why I believe training isn’t something you can just “do” to people. If you’ve ever wondered what makes good social work training work, or why I care so deeply about The Social Work Collective Academ...

In this episode, I sit down with the Social Work Academy team at Lancashire County Council to talk about how they support newly qualified social workers during their ASYE year. We explore the induction process, the challenges new practitioners face, and the role of ongoing learning and reflective practice. I also share insights from my own contribution to their ASYE Induction Programme, where I deliver a dedicated session on communication skills — a cornerstone of effective social work practi...

Joining a new social work team can be exciting — and daunting. In this episode, I share practical tips for starting strong: how to remember you bring valuable life and learning experience, how to observe and learn from your team’s culture, and how to protect the work habits and boundaries that will help you thrive for years to come. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com ...

Shadowing is one of the best ways to build your confidence and skills as a new social worker — but only if you approach it the right way. In this episode, I share practical tips on how to ask to shadow without feeling like a nuisance, why being specific gets better results, how to observe actively (not passively), and why it’s essential to speak up if you’re not getting opportunities. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, cou...

We talk a lot about skills in social work inductions — assessments, visits, meetings, communication — but there’s more to thriving in your ASYE than ticking off a skills checklist. In this episode, I share the “alternative induction”: the home-life habits, organisation tips, and support systems that will help you manage stress and set yourself up for success in your first year. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or...

From postmodern art to AI, I’m exploring how technology warps our sense of speed — and why that matters in social work. In this episode, I share how unrealistic timescales harm families, shape new social workers’ expectations, and leave us feeling like we’re “not moving fast enough.” It’s a reminder that learning, change, and growth take time — and that’s okay. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email...

With so many books, podcasts, and resources out there for newly qualified social workers, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you even start. In this episode, I’m sharing the essential recommendations I’d give if we were sitting down over a cuppa — the ones worth your time, money, and headspace in your ASYE year. From anti-racist practice to child protection wisdom, and from “messy” social work memoirs to self-care reads, these are the resources that will actually help you grow in confidence...

After a two-and-a-half week break, I’m back on the podcast with an honest catch-up — and a list of my recent “failures.” From not getting shortlisted for an award to forgetting suncream, I’m sharing how reframing failure has been a game changer for me, both in social work and life. Whether you’re newly qualified or years into practice, this is your reminder that failing means you’ve tried — and that’s something to be proud of. Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with m...

If you’ve ever wondered exactly what The Social Work Collective Academy is and how it can help you as a newly qualified social worker (or someone supporting them), this episode is for you. I’m taking you inside the Learning Hub — explaining how it works, the gaps it fills in early career training, and the practical tools that will help you feel both competent and confident from day one. Whether you’re about to start your ASYE, currently on placement, or guiding new social workers, you’ll disc...

This is for you if you are a newly qualified social worker who has just been allocated their first family to work with. That stomach-drop moment? It's completely normal—and I'm here to walk you through it. Inside this episode: What to do immediately after seeing that first family in your inboxHow to process the nerves, self-doubt, and emotional overwhelmThe simple but vital question to ask: what area of the law am I working under?Why clear supervision is essential—and how to confidently ask f...

In this episode I'm offering a practical, compassionate guide to help newly qualified social workers feel more confident about assessment work—especially child and family assessments. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why assessments feel overwhelming—and why that’s totally normalThe statutory guidance you must know Why local authority policies can be your secret weapon during disagreementsThe limitations of the 25-year-old assessment triangle—and how to think criticallyHow to avoid “assess...

In this episode I talk about this quote by Rebekah Pierre (and do a terrible job of remembering it in the moment) but its important to reference it properly: "Perhaps you saw the screen in front of you as the final destination. It was not; your words, written about but without me, would not remain hidden forever." It's from this article: https://basw.co.uk/articles/open-letter-social-worker-who-wrote-my-case-files Boundaries: https://www.socialworksorted.com/post/about-me-deciding-non...

A bitesize learning episode to support you in practice. To book ASYE Core Skills training head here: https://www.socialworksorted.com/event-details/asye-core-skills-clarity-and-confidence-for-early-practice Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Join The Collective Ebook Guides Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Ins...

The instagram trend 'propaganda I'm not falling for' caught my eye and I couldn't help but post a social worker version. In this episode I'm unpicking some of the statements and sharing why I included them. References: https://thestudentsocialworkhub.wordpress.com/2020/07/25/social-workers-as-super-heroes/ Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free new...

The Truth About Confidence, Competence, and Calm In this episode, I’m talking about the real truth behind three words that are at the heart of The Social Work Collective Academy: Confidence, Competence, and Calm. These aren’t just buzzwords – they’re the foundation for thriving in your first year as a social worker. I’m breaking down why confidence is often misunderstood (especially through a gendered lens), why competence is the key that so many new social workers are missing, and why calm i...

Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Join The Collective Ebook Guides Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening. Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a differ...

The waiting list for The Social Work Collective Academy is now open: Join The Collective If you are interested in an organisation licence please email me vicki@socialworksorted.com Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Join The Collective Ebook Guides Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevl...

I think balance is a myth and if I need to prioritise one thing in my life, then something else will have to come second. I'm ok with that, are you? And if we give ourselves permission to not do it all - can we extend that same level of empathy to the families we work with? Talking about all this in the episode - let me know your thoughts! The Social Work Collective Academy Join The Collective Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, dev...

I love being in conversation with new social workers, and naturally the topics that come up a lot are the challenges in day to day practice. In this episode I'm sharing 3 of the biggest struggles for new social workers - in the hope that when you are aware of them - you can do something about it! Listen here if you are student, new social worker or someone who works in a supportive role helping social workers to thrive! Sign up to the waiting list for The Social Work Collective ...