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Ensemble is a Loretto Care project that supports young people out of homelessness through song writing and music. On 19 September, Michelle from Iriss travelled to Stirling to speak with Michael Timmons, Community Engagement Lead for the project, and Andrew Sinclair a participant and volunteer. Ensemble received ‘A 'different approach’ award at the Scottish Social Services Awards 2019. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

The Life I Want is a partnership project in Greater Glasgow and Clyde that includes people with disabilities in the design of services. Michael McEwan speaks to Donna-Marie Speir, the co-ordinator of the project.  Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

On 16 September 2019, Iriss attended the launch of the SSSC's Careers in Care website which was created to highlight the wide variety of career opportunities available in the sector. The resource demonstrates how people can build a career working with children and young people, in social services and healthcare settings, or as a social worker. We spoke to social services practitioners who shared their career stories for use on the website.  In this final episode of three, we hear from Rowena McIntosh, a social worker; John McVeigh, an academic; and John Stewart, an inspector with the Care Inspectorate, who talk about their journeys into the profession and the skills required to be a social worker. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.  

On 16 September 2019, Iriss attended the launch of the SSSC's Careers in Care website which was created to highlight the wide variety of career opportunities available in the sector. The resource demonstrates how people can build a career working with children and young people, in social services and healthcare settings, or as a social worker. We spoke to social services practitioners who shared their career stories for use on the website. In this second episode of three, Sarah, Gillian and Deborah, who work in various adult care settings, tell us about their journeys into and experiences of the profession. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

On 16 September 2019, Iriss attended the launch of the Scottish Social Services Council's (SSSC) Careers in Care website which was created to highlight the wide variety of career opportunities available in the sector. The resource demonstrates how people can build a career working with children and young people, in social services and healthcare settings, or as a social worker. We spoke to social services practitioners who shared their career stories for use on the website. In this first episode of three, Greg and Elaine, two residential care managers tell us about their journeys into careers in care. Charlotte and Tasha, two young people supported at the residential home, also provide their views on what it takes to be a residential care worker. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

An interview with Peter Macleod, Chief Executive of the Care Inspectorate and Chair of Iriss. Peter graduated from Robert Gordon University with a degree in social sciences and a qualification in social work and began a career as a social worker in Glasgow in 1987. In 1996 he joined Renfrewshire council as an area manager, responsible for adult, children’s and criminal justice social work, and in early 2007 was appointed head of children’s services and criminal justice for social work and the community health partnership. In 2015, he was appointed Renfrewshire’s first director of a new children’s services directorate, bringing together children’s social work, education and criminal justice services. He sits on the boards of MacMillan Cancer Support TCAT Programme and Scottish Government’s Re-aligning Children’s Services programme. In his own words, he says, "I am ambitious for social care; I want people in Scotland to experience transformational, world-class care that makes a real and positive difference to t

Gig Buddies is a project that matches people with a learning disability with a volunteer who shares similar interests to engage in nightlife activities together. Michael McEwan interviews the Scotland project manager, Samuel Maggs and also speaks to a user of the service, Kerry Ferguson.  Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

An interview with Viv Clelland, winner of the ’The untold story’ award at the Scottish Social Services Awards 2019. She is a support worker for looked after young people and families in East Ayrshire.  Viv lived in a Kilmarnock children’s home from the age of 11 years until she was 17. She began her career doing a bit of everything: cleaning, working in bars, as well as volunteering for a horse riding school for disabled young people. In 2000, she became a volunteer parent coach with Kilmarnock Harriers, which led to her being approached to volunteer with East Ayrshire Council. By 2006, she was employed as Sports Motivator – working in a variety of community coaching & children’s house sessions for the council. As Viv developed, the job developed and her role became more focused on working with looked after and accommodated young people, based within the play and early intervention team. Her skills have also supported work in HMP Kilmarnock and with vulnerable families.  Transcript of episode Music Credi

People First is an organisation run by and for people with learning disabilities. Michael McEwan speaks to Rosie Smith, one of the members, who tells him about the work of the organisation.  Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Michelle Drumm interviews Kathryn Lindsay, who is the Director of Children, Families and Justice / Chief Social Work Officer for Angus Council. She is also the President of Social Work Scotland. Since qualifying as a social worker in 2000, Kathryn worked as a practitioner across Angus and Dundee City Council justice services and in residential services at Rossie Young People’s Trust. She held senior posts in Dundee City and Angus Council in both Children’s and Justice Services before becoming Chief Social Work Officer in 2016. Kathryn has experience leading services that serve more than one local authority area and has an interest in collaborative service design. She has a longstanding commitment to post qualifying learning, most recently achieving the Chief Social Work Officer Post Graduate Diploma at Glasgow Caledonian University. She has Masters in both practice and leadership based subjects and a particular interest in developing the workforce, promoting relationship-based practice and public protection.

The newly qualified social worker conference titled, Shaping our future: relationships matter, was held on 31 May 2019 in at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Jackie Irvine, Chief Social Work Officer at Edinburgh City Council and past President of social work Scotland, takes some time to reflect on how the practice environment in which social work operates has changed. She provides advice on making the most of relationships at work, as well as self-care strategies. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Michelle from Iriss interviews Lorraine Ward, a social worker who has worked with the children and families social work department in Glasgow for over 25 years and was awarded for Best Practice in Equality & Diversity at the SASW Awards 2019.   Lorraine started work within the Asylum and Roma team of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership in February 2017 and initiated the peer mentoring programme - New Young Peers Scotland - for unaccompanied asylum seeking young people soon after.   Lorraine enjoys developing new and innovative projects, working closely with partners but most of all enjoys listening to and learning from young people, and enabling them to find and share their voice and fulfil their aspirations.   Also watch Scotland: Our New Home films.   Transcript of episode   Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

The Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice (CYCJ) annual conference was held on 19 and 20 June 2019 in Stirling, with the theme 'Youth Justice Through the Ages'. Michelle from Iriss spoke to some of speakers on the first day of the conference. These included Fiona Dyer, Interim Director at CYCJ; Bruce Adamson, Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People; the Right Hon. Lady Dorrian, Lord Justice Clerk; Dr Tim Bateman, University of Bedfordshire; Rosie Moore, Independent Care Review and Co-chair of conference; and James Frame, Co-Chair of the conference.  Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Michelle Drumm interviews Calum Glasgow. Calum is currently studying social work at the University of Strathclyde and received an award for Student Social Worker of the Year at the SASW Social Work Awards 2019. Calum's placement was with the British Red Cross, based in their psychosocial team, which provides holistic support for refugees and asylum seekers. The work ranged from completing initial assessments, providing emotional support, accompanying people to legal (and other) appointments and helping alleviate their levels of destitution. In his words, he describes the experience as 'a real eye-opener'. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

The newly qualified social worker conference titled, Shaping our future: relationships matter, was held on 31 May 2019 in at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.  Iona Colvin, Chief Social Work Adviser at Scottish Government, spoke about the importance of relationships at strategic level, within and across government, and how the role of social work has changed to be located within organisational partnerships with the aim of delivering more seamless services for people. She also talks about the unique contribution of social work as a holistic relationship-based profession, what they are doing with others to raise its profile, plan for the future and support newly qualified social workers. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes.

Irina McLean, Project Leader with NHS Research Scotland Management Team, is currently leading the development of a Research Governance Framework (RGF) which will meet the needs of Scotland’s Social Care Services employers, staff, and service users and their families. The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 sets the context for the integration of adult health and social care within Scotland. Underpinning the introduction of the Act was a commitment to ensure the consistent provision of quality, sustainable care services for the increasing numbers of people in Scotland who need joined-up support and care. The Scottish Government recognises that for successful reform and effective integration of health and social care sectors collective ethical and accountable research practices are required. The new RGF is currently being defined through a process of engagement. In this episode, Irina tells us more about the work she is doing. If you would like to follow up with Irina about the RGF or speak to her

Michael McEwan speaks to Linda Mitchell from the Scottish Commission for Learning Disability (SCLD) about IASSIDD - the World Congress of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, which is being held in Glasgow on 6-9 August, 2019. IASSIDD Congresses are the leading international research and practice meetings in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Congress theme is Future4All. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michelle Drumm interviews Jackie Irvine, Chief Social Work Officer and Head of Safer and Stronger Communities in the City of Edinburgh Council. Jackie was appointed as the President of Social Work Scotland in May 2018 and her tenure as president comes to an end in May 2019. However, as Past President Jackie will stay on as a key member of the Executive Group at Social Work Scotland. Jackie’s previous positions were predominantly in children’s services, but not exclusively, as she has been lead for criminal justice, community based health services, and adult hospital-based social work teams. Freshly Squeezed is an Iriss podcast which aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

Michael McEwan, our roving reporter on disability issues, chats to Ruth Foster, a tutor at Waterbaby Arts and two of the dancers involved in the Dirty Feet programme, Sandy and Maureen Graham. We hear about the work of Waterbaby Arts and the experiences of Sandy and Maureen. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes

On World Social Work Day, Michelle Drumm interviews David Williams, Chief Officer of Glasgow Health and Social Care Partnership. David qualified as a social worker in 1988 and worked for two years in Easterhouse and then for seven years in Drumchapel as a social worker and senior social worker. He subsequently held various roles in charities over the years and was appointed formally to the chief officer position by Glasgow City Integration Joint Board at its first meeting on 8 February 2016 Freshly Squeezed is an Iriss podcast which aims to 'squeeze' information and inspiration from key influencers in social services in Scotland. Transcript of episode Music Credit: Make your dream a reality by Scott Holmes