The Synergy Sessions: BASW England mini-series

The session was informative and well delivered. I found the sharing of direct quotes from students in the presentation particularly useful and more engaging than a summary of views and opinions. I appreciated the openness and honesty regarding challenges students expressed in the study and how these were addressed and applied to deliver practical action. 

The panel discussion at the end of the presentation helped encourage reflection on the presentation material and it was good to see such a diverse panel in terms of cultural backgrounds but also regional diversity. This also encouraged me to think of place-based challenges that may occur which is important if the learning is to be taken to scale. 

I have reviewed Synergy Session Two and would provide a rating of 5/5. 

Review for Episode 2: This is a thoughtful, reflective and deeply useful video about anti-racism in social care. The discussions are honest and vulnerable, showing organisations and individuals grappling with what it means to be anti-racist and how to support learning and reflection for both white and Global Majority students. The key learning points and recommendations speak to a current social care context. They are useful for higher education institutions, for workforce learning and development teams, and for leaders, managers, Practice Educators and practitioners.

Rating 5/5 – We both found this incredibly useful for our own learning and reflection, thank you Wayne and colleagues. 

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The anti-racism journey that is explored in the episode two interestingly pre-dates the murder of George Floyd, unpicking the understanding of students and educators commitment to anti-racism. 

The need for white lecturers to model anti-racism as a way of enabling white students to understand how they needed to develop in their own practice was a strong message alongside the need for power as a concept to be explored as a starting point and discovering similarities and differences.

In response to the learning from phase one of the research changes were implemented one of which is the inclusion of the Mandela model into practice learning agreements and work to de-colonise the curriculum and learning experience. 

The second phase of the research highlights the concept of and the discrimination, and the oppression experienced in relation to recruitment and retention of black global majority students into a local authority and the changes that are needed to address structural racism. This includes who should be involved in creating change. 

This session creates the opportunity for the impact on identity, a sense of belonging, and resilience to be explored built on the themes and learning form the research. 

The positive power of safe spaces developed to foster learning is mirrored in the format of this Synergy Sessions episode. 

The format of the Synergy Session episodes is varied and there is something for everyone here in terms of different learning styles. The presentation from researchers leads carefully into the discussion with panel members which the researchers are also a key part of. This provides a cohesive learning opportunity for anyone watching. 

Wherever you are on your anti-racism journey there is much to be learned from the research and the panel discussion. The panel is diverse, and the contributors do not shy away from the challenging concepts, giving voice and recognitions to the global majority students shared experiences of silencing and the anticipation of racism. 

Rating 4/5 a helpful and insightful learning experience in my anti-racism journey. 

Twitter/X: @lizzyh20

The Synergy Session episode 2 on ‘How we Teach Anti- Racism on Social Work Courses in the East of England’ is very detailed and informative. Encompassing the lived experiences of Black and Global Majority social work students and staff who encounter microaggressions and racism on a daily basis.

This research highlights a number of issues for me and for those in Higher Education institutions (HEI), Practice Education, Local Authorities and other social work organisations to consider.

It draws attention to the need for HEI teachers/tutors and Practice Educators (PE) to develop their own understanding of anti-racist practice more widely - as well as self-learning and development around white privilege and fragility. This is particularly pertinent in the episode, where there is a mention of a discussion about a PE not understanding or seeing their fragility when there was a placement breakdown. White fragility and stereotypes can also impact Black and Global Majority students failing their placements.

The Synergy session touches on Student Learning agreements, which I would agree, is as a tool that can also be used and should be used to consider intersectional identities, needs and differences, relating to culture, gender and identity for example, as well as how anti-racist practice will be promoted and supported within the placement. There can be an expectation that Black students, teaching staff and employees should just assimilate, into what can be predominantly white teams and services. This can overlook considering how imposing Eurocentric values can be.  Episode 2 provides good examples of a university endeavoring to teach in a more inclusive and anti-racist way, which needs to then translate into more supportive student placements more widely.  

It is important to understand that teaching about white privilege, supremacy and white fragility is not an attack on whiteness. It is an opportunity to look at how white privilege in systems, institutions and wider society can be biased and view people from different cultural and ethnic groups through a stereotypical or inferiority lens. Teaching about this in universities, and more widely, enables people to learn about where biases and racist ideology comes from, as well as unlearning negative perspectives they may hold. Leaning into the discomfort of talking about self, race and racism can only enhance their overall social work practice going forward.    

We need to continue to raise awareness and highlight the impact of racism on Black people’s lives and to that end this Synergy Session, research findings and learning, will prove invaluable to ALL Higher education institutions and organisations. Who wish to truly work in an anti-racist way and see equity and inclusion imbedded within all of our institutions and the social work profession. 

Rating 4/5 -  Only because I can see a future for an anti-racist practice module for Practice Educators, who are an extension of the universities and students social work learning 

Twitter/X: MillieKerr17

LinkedIn: Millie Kerr

"This is an interesting presentation which really promotes the ideas of ‘thinking’ as well as ‘doing’ in social work.  Jo Rawles provides a helpful view of the theoretical frameworks of critical thinking, importantly what it is, as opposed to what it isn’t. What I found very helpful in this presentation is the staged approached to implementing critical thinking, particularly within the practice learning context – I think Practice Educators would find this incredibly helpful to enhance critical thinking within students. The panel discussion continued with this issue and reflected on how to embed this skill when working with diverse student groups. What was enlightening was that Jo encourages us to practice ‘critical scrutiny’ and look inwards about our own challenges with critical thinking as educators and how we might overcome them, which was expanded on in the panel discussion. A great resource for social work educators."

Rating 4/5

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Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, "Synergy Sessions" will challenge, inspire, and empower you to think critically, practice with intention, and engage in  meaningful reflection. In a digital world, it is difficult to sift through the noise, but SS is a cut above the rest. An essential part of your reflective toolkit, and something I wish  I had access to from my days as a student social worker. 

This series takes a highly collaborative approach, blending expertise across cultural awareness, relationship based practice, and strengths-based practice. Taking a truly multi-dimensional approach, there are many layers which span the spiritual,  practical, emotional and social, making this a holistic learning experience which transcends the norm.

This is as real as it gets – authentic discussions on everything from theory to practice, by experts who really understand the challenges on the ground. I would not hesitate to recommend this series to social workers of any level or discipline. 

Rating 4/5

@Rebekahpierre92

The topic of critical thinking in social work is always an important one, and never more so than now. 

Joanna Rawles presents a comprehensive view of the role of critical thinking, drawing on her book chapter “Critical thinking and reflective practice.

The discussion in this session is really rich and dynamic. I found the particular discussion on the need for uncomfortableness to be insightful and informative. It gave me a lot to think about.

LinkedIn: Lisa Smith

This session encourages us to think about how we can use critical reflection to  challenge the status quo and now more than ever we all need to take responsibilty to push for change for our communities, our working environments and within general society. Jo explores a variety of different reflective cycle models and challenges us to analyse if these encourage us to think critically or not.

Jo makes the point that “social work is not just about doing; it is also about thinking. It is the thinking that makes the doing meaningful”. This might seem like a basic concept but when faced with overwhelming workloads and pressure to get tasks done in order to move onto the next thing, I think it is imperative that we continue to fight for the right practice in line with our Professional Capabilities Framework “Critical reflection and analysis”. 

The panel encouraged us to think about how the concept of critical thinking might not be familiar to everyone and to anticipate that this might be difficult for some learners. The discussion challenged my own preconceptions and assumptions since I have always seen social work as a role that should challenge societal status quos. However, it was interesting to hear from some panel members that the concept of critical reflection, might not be familiar for some, depending on where people gained their education i.e. people are taught that what they are learning is fact and discouraged from challenging it.

Whilst this session is predominently aimed at those supporting and enabling social work students and practitioners, to embed critical thinking into their reflection, I would recommend it to all social workers and social work leaders, who might want to refresh or challenge their knowledge of critical thinking. Jo provided an informative presentation and the content was insightfully reflected upon in terms of day to day practice during the panel discussion. 

Rating 5/5

Episode 3

The session provides us with invaluable and varied insights focused on the perspectives and experiences of the session’s two key speakers.  We also have the benefit of the helpful, astute questions posed to them to which they respond with generosity.

Black leadership is not simply about being a leader who is Black.  It is, as Laurelle Brown sets out, about pursuing freedom and change for Black people, in different areas of life, and takes place in families and communities and means different things to different people. 

Important and relevant themes are touched on including, but not limited to structural inequality, intersectionality, courage, leading change and taking people with you, as well managing self, drawing on support and allyship, and engaging in ongoing learning. 

Beverley Tarka, a London local authority Director of Services articulates her distributive leadership style and what this means with reference to openness and transparency.   She highlights the shoulders so many of us stand on including the Windrush generation, and sets out her glass half-full rather than half-empty, and her solution-oriented, rather than problem-focused, leadership approach. 

Wayne Reid chairs very effectively.  His candidness leads him to ask about something rarely openly talked about - accusations of being a sell-out that Black leaders, perhaps especially, can contend with.  It’s refreshing and helpful to have this on the table and to be able to hear the response. 

Time limitations meant there was not, for example, the opportunity to give more attention to dealing with organisational and professional politics as a Black leader, or to explore further the references to resilience.  

This stimulating, positive session emanates energy and integrity.  It provides helpful insights on an important area for Black professionals, and of course those they impact and are charged to serve.   Black leadership is all around us.  It is intentionally and purposefully agentic.  It aims to contribute to Black, and indeed other communities, in all their variety, so that they don’t just survive, but thrive.

Rating 4/5

This is my first time watching one of the Synergy Sessions. I found the Synergy Session very insightful, empowering and thought that it provided new perspectives to reflect upon regarding what Black leadership means for anyone within a Black leadership position. 

Both guest speakers Laurelle and Beverly in my view, were also very inspiring while sharing what Black leadership means to each of them.  

I thought it was also good that all the participants in the Synergy session had the opportunity to reflect and hold discussions following the presentations made, as well as ask the speakers specific questions

A lot of the points that were raised / discussed by the speakers and BPS members resonated with me. For example, I found the point on Black leaders supporting themselves with like-minded people, allies and positivity very important. 

I have also always believed that it is imperative that as Black leaders, we are looking after our own emotional wellbeing and prioritizing self care due to of some of the challenges and experiences that we may face both in our personal and professional lives.

I also found the point on constantly taking opportunities to develop ourselves, our learning and leadership skills even outside our organisations very important. Similarly, the importance of mentors for anyone aspiring towards leadership.

Furthermore, the expectations placed on Black leaders as anti-racist practitioners within organisations and the impact of some factors like age and gender and how these intersects were interesting points to also contemplate.

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