The Social World Podcast: Anti-racism in Social Work

He qualified as a Social Worker in 2010 and his frontline social care experience spans over 20 years. Wayne has worked for private fostering agencies; the Probation Service; a youth offending team; a community mental health service; a child protection service and with care leavers. Wayne previously compiled and curated a national social work newsletter (Wayne’s Weekly), which ran for several years.

Wayne’s diverse role at BASW England involves supporting national groups focussed on: criminal justice, professional capabilities and development and Black and ethnic minority social workers. Wayne’s work with students, NQSW’s, diverse social work professionals and a cross-section of organisations is extensive. This has involved guest speaking, workshop facilitation; leading national campaigns and mobilising social work activism.

During 2020-2022, Wayne undertook the role of Anti-Racism Visionary and proactively spearheaded a movement to reignite ‘Anti-racism in Social Work’ via his role at BASW England. Wayne’s knowledge and professional opinions have been published in print, online and on international platforms.

Recent innovations include the ‘SHADES OF BIAS‘ Toolkit that is proving a welcome addition to support for survivors of racist behaviour as well as other discriminatory practices.

Read the article in Social Work Today https://www.socialworktoday.co.uk/News/%E2%80%9Cwas-that-racism%E2%80%9D%3A-new-toolkit-launched-to-process-racism-and-bias-in-social-work

Watch his presentation to the Irish Association of Social Workers on this toolkit – Shades of Bias online survey – As always, thanks for your support.

As a Black male Social Worker, Wayne understands some of the challenges that service-users and practitioners from different minority groups can face.

From his experience, Wayne believes academic and ‘life education’ are essential to improve an individual’s quality of life and life chances. He adds: “Social work is a vital multi-faceted international service that: coordinates support for the most vulnerable people in society; assesses and manages risk; addresses problematic behaviours and relationships; champions equality and social justice; optimises peoples’ strengths, promotes human decency and creates meaningful opportunities for social mobility”.