We would like to thank our exhibitors for their hard work and efforts and also thank those who came along and took part throughout the day.

With over 1000 pre-registered social workers, visitors and exhibitors attended the live conference which featured a full exhibition hall and seminar programme, which included 40 seminars, workshops, social work films and free legal films covering the latest practice in social work with children, young people and families, adult social care and mental health. 

Sessions were led by social work professionals from across the UK, including local authorities, voluntary sector organisations, and top law firms.

Social work organisations including Social Workers Union and Professor Jermaine Ravelier from Bath Spa University hosted a session on the key findings from the university research project into how reflective supervision can be effective in social work practice.  More can be found out about the seminar here: https://www.socialworktoday.co.uk/News/Reflective-supervision-a-%E2%80%98crucial-component-of-social-work-practice%E2%80%99%2C-research-finds  

Children’s charity, Become, hosted a workshop on their #GonetoofarCampaign: The importance of keeping children in care close to the people and places that matter to them. This seminar explored what can be done to change and help the impact on children in care when they are moved far away from the people and places that matter to them. Find out more about the campaign: https://www.socialworktoday.co.uk/News/Charity-calls-for-end-to-children-in-care-being-moved-miles-away-from-their-communities

Discussing the seminars, a visitor commented on a great day’s learning: “There were excellent tools showcased and discussed in seminars to take back and use in my own practice.”

Local authorities including Wigan Council held a seminar on ‘Child protection through a trauma-informed lens’ which explored the awareness around what underpins trauma informed social work, its approaches, and what research tells us. 

The seminar also provided testimonials from Experts by Experience - a group of domestic abuse survivors - providing their own experiences of working with children’s social care and the family court systems.

Commenting on the seminar, a social worker said: “The seminars were useful and engaging, and some particularly relevant to my role (Child protection through a trauma-informed lens). They were well presented and where I increased my knowledge and skills.

Antser - the multi-award winning virtual reality technology to support vulnerable children and families led a seminar ‘Through The Eyes of The Child: The use of virtual reality across social care’.  The seminar presented a series of short Virtual Reality films, where adults could experience the life of an abused, neglected or exploited child.

The seminar programme also included free legal sessions led by some of the top law firms in the UK. Hugh Jones Solicitors led sessions on ‘The role of a P&A deputy in a client/service user’s care and support arrangements’, as well as ’The Court of Protection and Me – a guide to Property and Affairs deputyship and when it should be considered’.

Our Family Wizard also hosted a legal session on ‘Language Matters: The importance and impact of language in family law settings’ which explored the importance and impact of language in family law and how this can be improved.

Solicitors from the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit (GMIAU) also spoke about Immigration issues and citizenship for children in care, looking at the responsibilities of local authorities in identifying and supporting children with insecure immigration status.

One visitor said the opportunity to take part in free legal sessions was ‘incredibly useful’ and that it ‘helped gain solicitors' perspective which was very informative’.

The exhibition hosted exhibitors including local authorities from the North West and across the UK including: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Bolton Council (Children's Services), Bolton Council (Adults' Services), Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester, Coventry City Council, Halton Borough Council, Knowsley Council Social Care, Northern Health and Social Care Trust, Lancashire County Council, Liverpool City Council (Children's Services), Oldham Council, Powys County Council, Rochdale Borough Council (Children's Services), Stoke-on-Trent City Council, St Helens Borough Council, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Tameside Metropolitan Council (Children's Services), Tameside Metropolitan Council (Adults' Services), Western Health and Social Care Trust, Wigan Council.

One social worker said how ‘useful’ it was to interact with different councils.

“I enjoyed speaking to many different local authorities and to get to know more about their practice towards social work.”

In addition, other organisations such as charities, Universities and other service providers specializing in domestic abuse and drug and alchohol testing came along.

These included: Advanced CCA, Antser / Cornerstone, BASW England, Become, The Caldecott Foundation, Cellmark, Finders International, Hugh Jones Solicitors, My CWA, OurFamilyWizard, Randox, Remedy Social Care, Rock Pool Life C.I.C, Social Work Coaching Hub, Social Work DISCovery, Social Work Today (Media Partner), Social Workers Union, The Mulberry Bush, The Open University.

Commenting on the exhibitors, one visitor said: “The diversity of exhibitors was excellent. It was great to learn more about organisations such as Finders International and the importance of what they do.”

Visitors were quick to express their satisfaction towards the day.

“I have had an amazing day. It has been an excellent opportunity to network, keep up to date with the sector and gain career advice, all for free.”

Exhibitors also expressed their delight on the day’s outcome:

“The event was thoroughly enjoyable and we felt very valued. We spoke to many potential candidates on the day and we’re looking forward to following up those conversations with interviews.”

“ Very organised, very professional. Seminars were very interesting with lots of positive feedback. Really good for networking.”

If you’d like to to take part in next year’s event please contact us on events@compassjobsfair.com , or fill out an enquiry form: https://www.compassjobsfair.com/Events/The-Social-Work-Show/Enquiry

Had a great day at The Social Work Show? Come along to COMPASS Jobs Fair, London 20 November and join the UK’s largest recruitment event.

Book your free ticket now https://www.compassjobsfair.com/Events/London/Book-Tickets