social work preview of 2026

In this episode of Social Work Radio, Vince and Cara look ahead to what 2026 may hold for social work. Drawing on their experience from the past year, they explore the big themes likely to shape practice in the months ahead - from staffing pressures, cost of living impacts, and inspection changes, to political decisions, regulation, and the narratives surrounding the profession. Together, they reflect on how these forces may show up in everyday practice and what social workers are already beginning to feel on the ground. The conversation also turns to technology, AI, and how digital tools may realistically affect the job in 2026, balancing the promise of time-saving support against concerns about control and surveillance. Cara and Vince share their personal hopes, fears, and boundaries for the year ahead, before offering a direct message to listeners as they step into 2026.

In this end-of-year episode of Social Work Radio, Vince and Cara look back on the stories that defined social work across 2025, reflecting on the moments that sparked debate, concern and, at times, collective reflection within the profession. From viral social media controversies and high-profile safeguarding cases to regulatory decisions, workforce pressures, and questions of public trust, the episode revisits the headlines that shaped conversations month-by-month. Create by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

In this festive end-of-year episode, our hosts Vince and Cara invite listeners to the Social Work Radio Christmas party - a warm, reflective, and gently playful conversation designed especially for a profession that rarely gets to switch off. From catching up on the week and sharing listener messages, to unpacking the social work themes hidden inside classic Christmas films, the pair explore resilience, burnout, and the quiet work of holding things together. They reflect on their most wholesome moments of 2025, talk honestly about boundaries and exhaustion at Christmas, and close with heartfelt messages to social workers everywhere - especially those on duty, on call, or running on empty - reminding them that being “enough” doesn’t mean fixing everything, and that rest, kindness, and community matter too. Merry Christmas social workers!      

A sensitive and reflective episode in which Cara and Vince discuss the killing of hospital social worker Alberto Rangel in San Francisco last week, and the questions it has prompted across the profession about safety at work. Drawing on reporting, tributes from colleagues, and their own frontline experience, they explore why many practitioners have said: “this could have been any one of us” and look at the wider conversation now taking place about protecting social workers. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

Teens are turning to TikTok for therapy - and many trust what they find there more than the services meant to support them. In this week’s episode, Vince and Cara dive into the rise of TikTok-driven self-diagnosis, from trauma and ADHD to “narcissistic parents,” and explore why the For You Page can feel more responsive, more comforting, and more human than CAMHS. They unpack the risks, the misinformation, and what practitioners can do in practice - not by fighting the algorithm, but by working alongside it. A lively, honest conversation about trust, digital life, and what young people are really telling us.   Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

In this week’s episode, Vince and Cara unpack the newly published Serious Case Review into the death of Sara Sharif, and what it really means for frontline social work. They break down the missed opportunities, the multi-agency drift, the blind spots around home education, and the “no one joined the dots” theme shaping public debate. A thoughtful, essential listen for anyone working in or alongside children’s services. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.  

n this week’s episode, Cara and Vince dive into the growing crisis of confidence surrounding Social Work England. With a major independent review now under way, they explore whether trust can truly be rebuilt after fee hikes, backlogs, and a near £1m underspend that has left the profession questioning its regulator’s direction. From cultural concerns to calls for meaningful reform, they ask what accountability should look like - and whether regulation can ever feel supportive again. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.

This week, Vince and Cara unpack new national figures showing rising numbers of children identified as “in need,” but fewer placed on child protection plans. Our hosts explore whether stretched services, higher thresholds, and workforce pressures are shaping how risk is managed on the frontline. Is early help keeping families safe, or masking hidden harm as demand continues to climb? Join the conversation every Friday morning. Created by social workers, for social workers.

In this powerful episode, our hosts Vince and Cara dive into new findings revealing that domestic abuse is identified in nearly nine out of ten family court cases - yet still too often treated as a side issue. They unpack how the system’s pro-contact culture can place victims at risk, the structural barriers that keep courts from prioritising safety, and the emotional toll this takes on social workers. With personal reflections, examples of good practice, and a call for reform, this is a must-listen for anyone working in or alongside the family justice system. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation, every Friday morning.

This week, our hosts Cara and Vince explore how to stay compassionate and engaged in a world that feels heavier than ever. From doomscrolling and online outrage to activism fatigue and the myth of “doing it all,” they ask how social workers can keep caring without burning out. Cara reflects on her recent article, while Vince unpacks the pressure to be publicly political and the toll of constant bad news. Together, they share practical ways to protect your peace, find perspective, and hold onto hope - even when everything feels overwhelming. Created by social workers, for social workers. Join the conversation every Friday morning.