by Yohai Hakak
Putting the 'social' back at the centre of social work. Seasons are hosted in collaboration between social work academics, practitioners, students and experts by experience, and each has a different focus. Seasons 1 & 2 explored a mix of topics Season 3 offers an international perspective on anti-racist social work Season 4 focuses on student social work placements Cover art by Alma Hakak
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/10/2020
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March 9, 2026
<p><strong>Guest Profiles</strong></p><p><strong>Hei Chow</strong> </p><p>Hei is the Programme Manager at UK Welcomes Refugees, where he supports refugees and overseas social workers in building professional networks and career pathways. A former youth worker in Hong Kong with a background in values education, Hei migrated to the UK to seek a better environment for his family. He currently leads initiatives to help migrant social workers regain their professional identity and integrate into the UK workforce.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Dr. Sui Ting Kong</strong> </p><p>Dr. Sui Ting Kong is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Durham University and a co-editor of the British Journal of Social Work. Since moving to the UK from Hong Kong eight years ago, she has pioneered research in feminist participatory methodologies and relational care. Her current work focuses on the Hong Kong diaspora, including the "We are Hongkongers" project and supporting the transition of overseas-qualified social workers.</p><p><strong>Episode Summary</strong></p><p>In this episode of How Does Social Work?, hosts Colleen Simon and Yohai Hakak speak with Hei Chow and Dr. Sui Ting Kong about the intersection of culture, identity, and social care, focusing on the transition from practicing in Hong Kong to the UK. The discussion contrasts the intense work ethics of Hong Kong—where social workers often operate without strict boundaries, running long residential camps and maintaining lifelong relationships with clients—with the more regulated, individualistic system in the UK.Key themes include:</p><p>• <strong>Public Perception:</strong> The guests highlight a stark difference in reputation; in Hong Kong, social workers are often viewed as "stars" or "angels" due to positive media portrayals and their role in developmental youth work. In contrast, they note that UK social workers often face stigma as "baby removers".</p><p>• <strong>Political Context and Migration:</strong> Hei shares his personal journey of leaving Hong Kong due to the changing political landscape and education system. The conversation touches on how Hong Kong social workers have been historically active in political protests, leading to increased vulnerability and repression in recent years.</p><p>• <strong>Professional Identity:</strong> A significant challenge for the diaspora is the "identity loss" experienced by qualified professionals who find themselves unemployed or unable to practice upon arriving in the UK. The episode concludes with a mention of a pilot project with Sutton Council aimed at supporting these overseas qualified social workers</p>
March 2, 2026
<p><strong>Guest Profiles:</strong></p><p><strong>Olivia Morrison</strong> </p><p>Olivia Morrison is the Head of Partnerships and Advocacy at the Traveller Movement. Of Romani (Gypsy) heritage herself, she oversees the organisation's Equalities and Social Justice Unit, as well as projects relating to domestic abuse, health and wellbeing, heritage, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month. In the episode, she highlights the organization's work in health, criminal justice, and education policy, emphasizing the importance of community consultation in their advocacy.</p><p><strong>Olivia Hammond</strong> </p><p>Olivia Hammond is the Community Advocacy Caseworker at the Traveller Movement. She is a Romani (Gypsy) woman who handles education and discrimination casework, supporting Romani (Gypsy), Roma, and Irish Traveller community members with issues such as school exclusions, bullying, and refusal of service. Drawing on her personal experience growing up in a traditional family and returning to education later in life, she works to support young people in the community to access opportunities outside of traditional paths.</p><p><strong>Episode Summary</strong></p><p>In this episode of How Does Social Work?, hosts Colleen Simon and Yohai Hakak discuss the unique challenges and cultural nuances of the Romani Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Traveller communities. The guests dismantle the "homogenous" view of these groups by explaining the distinct ethnic and linguistic differences between Romani Gypsies (originating from India), Irish Travellers (indigenous to Ireland), and Roma people (more recent migrants to the UK).Key themes include:</p><p>• <strong>Erosion of Lifestyle:</strong> The conversation addresses how legislation such as the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act (2022) and the revocation of statutory duties to build sites have made the traditional nomadic way of life "virtually impossible". This cultural erosion has led to the loss of communal support systems—described as a "village" where everyone pitched in—contributing to a mental health crisis and disproportionately high suicide rates.</p><p>• <strong>Barriers to Education and Services:</strong> Olivia Hammond shares her personal journey of leaving school after primary levels—a common practice to protect children from bullying and cultural erosion—and the resistance she faced when returning to education. The guests also discuss the deep-seated fear of discrimination that prevents community members from accessing healthcare or police support, citing instances where individuals are refused service or dismissed based on their ethnicity.</p><p>• <strong>Advice for Social Workers:</strong> The guests offer practical advice for professionals entering Traveller homes, such as understanding that a lack of visible toys is often a response to the fear of being judged for untidiness rather than a lack of enrichment. They also highlight communication differences, noting that "dramatised" language or loud speech is often a cultural norm rather than aggression.</p>
February 23, 2026
<p><strong>Guest Profile: Biju Antony</strong></p><p><strong>Biju Antony</strong> is currently a Service Manager for mental health services with an NHS Trust. With over 20 years of experience in the UK, he has worked as a Qualified Mental Health Social Worker and Practitioner, AMHP (Approved Mental Health Professional), and Care Coordinator within mental health settings, as well as holding various management roles. He is originally from Kerala, India, and moved to the UK in 2005. Additionally, Biju serves as the Chair of the UK Malayalee Social Workers (UKMSW) Forum, an association of over 200 professional social workers from Kerala working in the UK.</p><p><strong>Episode Summary</strong></p><p>In this episode of How Does Social Work?, hosts Colleen Simon and Yohai Hak explore the intersection of culture, identity, and social care through Biju Antony’s lived experience. The conversation covers Biju's migration from Kerala to the UK during the recruitment drives of the early 2000s and the significant cultural adjustments required to practice social work in a new country.Key themes include:</p><p>• <strong>Cultural Differences:</strong> The contrast between the "collectivistic" culture of India - where family and community often take precedence over the state in providing care - and the UK's individualistic, state-focused social care system.</p><p>• <strong>Professional Challenges:</strong> The hurdles international social workers face, such as language barriers, understanding different communication styles (e.g., indirect vs. direct), and navigating flat hierarchies compared to the authoritative structures common in India.</p><p>• <strong>Community Support:</strong> The origins and mission of the UKMSW Forum, which was established to provide peer support, training, and recruitment guidance to social workers migrating from India, helping them adapt to the UK legal frameworks and practice standards.</p>
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Putting the 'social' back at the centre of social work.
Seasons are hosted in collaboration between social work academics, practitioners, students and experts by experience, and each has a different focus. Seasons 1 & 2 explored a mix of topics Season 3 offers an international perspective on anti-racist social work Season 4 focuses on student social work placements
Cover art by Alma Hakak
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