Partnership in Action: Learning and Reflections from the Social Work in Disasters Train the Trainer Programme
Out of the Shadows: The role of social workers in disastersSocial work has often been described as the fifth emergency service; long after our deeply valued colleagues from health, fire and police services have been and gone, social workers stick around to pick up the pieces. Traumatic life events cannot be erased, nor is there any guarantee that social-emotional wellbeing can be restored to what it once was. Our work goes beyond the immediate and into the unknown realm of long-term, often with no definite timeline.
Sarah Newman, Executive Director, Bi-Borough Children’s Services, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and the City of WestminsterLearning from Grenfell has shown that social workers, with their compassion and local insight, are invaluable first responders in times of crisis. BASW England’s training helps them meet immediate needs and offer vital emotional support. Inspired by our residents, we are committed to being the best council, training our social work staff in disaster recovery, and building a dedicated resource to support local communities when needed.
How it all started
The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) England, led by former National Director Maris Stratulis, has championed activity focusing on the role of social work in disasters since 2018. This activity includes the development of the joint statement between BASW England and ADASS setting out the role of the DASS and social workers in disaster recovery; the development of online training modules; and the publication of Out of the Shadows: The role of social workers in disasters, the first book to be published in the UK focusing on social work in disaster contexts. This work could not have been accomplished without contributions from social workers, BASW members and people with lived experience, which underpins activity in this area at the association to date.
The BASW England team contacted the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) in early 2024 to promote their new Social Work in Disasters online training and ask if they would like to share it with staff. As a starting point, a number of senior leaders in Children’s Services and the Humanitarian Assistance Lead Officer completed the online training.
After completing the course, senior leaders realised the value and potential of the training, leading to some interesting discussions about how it could be delivered to all Social Workers in RBKC and Westminster City Council (WCC) in both adults and children’s services, which are shared between RBKC and Westminster (referred to as the Bi-Borough).
The Executive Director for Children’s Services was tasked with thinking about how to deliver the training. Turning the online module into an in person course was suggested – brilliant idea!
It was decided to run the course as face-to-face training and the Centre for Systemic Social Work (a shared service between London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, RBKC and WCC) were asked to take on the project..
This exciting next step would be a partnership with the Bi-Borough services to design and deliver a “train-the-trainer” programme.
All agreed this would be a powerful way to scale the training across the Bi-Borough ensuring consistency and sustainability in both adults’ and children’s services.
Developing the approach and the importance of pre-course preparation
The team agreed that the course duration would be four days, with recommended readings and a reflective task assigned for each day. The BASW England team suggested both Children’s and Adult services implement a timeline prior to the commencement of the training modules for participants to complete the pre-course preparation work. This included familiarisation with the online modules, pre-reading for the course, and self-reflective activity.
Course participant, Social Work in Disasters Train the Trainer Programme[We were provided] a lot of good material for reflection on our roles as social workers within the context of disaster/incidences.
Partnership Working and the Legacy of the Grenfell Tower Tragedy
The Centre for Systemic Social Work and the training team from BASW England met on a regular basis to discuss how to adapt the online course for in person delivery. Particular attention was paid to the legacy of the Grenfell Tower Tragedy and the role that Social Workers played in supporting those affected. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report was released during the process of adapting the training and we made sure to highlight the findings in both the course content and delivery, enabling participants to explore the impact of the tragedy and the ongoing response from social workers to the communities they serve.
A key issue in adapting the course from online to in person was thinking about the relationships and dynamics between trainers and course participants. Each online module was translated to a day of in person delivery with the reflective tasks becoming group discussions. The aim was to create an interactive shared learning experience where group participants could learn from the experiences and ideas of each other.
Attention was paid to creating a balance between delivering the core course content and creating opportunities for debate, reflection and sharing, particularly in regards to Grenfell Tower Tragedy and other disasters such as the 7/7 London bombings that participants themselves may have experienced.
Caroline Pipe, Clinical Director, Centre for Systemic Social WorkAs a Social worker the opportunity to work in partnership with BASW England to extend my own knowledge and understanding of this subject alongside the prospect of training and empowering other Social Workers to develop skills in disaster response was fundamental to enhancing my professional development.
The value and importance of lived experience
The course focused strongly on the lived experiences of those affected by disasters. Compelling testimonies of those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hillsborough disaster and the Grenfell Tower Tragedy featured in Out of the Shadows: The Role of Social Workers in Disasters. Out of the Shadows, the first book to be published focusing upon a UK perspective about the role of social workers in disasters, amplifies the voice of those affected by disasters, people with lived experience and the voices of social workers involved in disaster work.
Utilising these diverse experiences enabled the group to reflect on the impact social workers can have in disaster situations. Time was dedicated to identifying the skills and qualities the participants have as social workers that would enable them to contribute positively to the preparedness, response and recovery phases of disaster management.
Using theoretical principles from trauma informed approaches and crisis intervention theory the group identified how their professional skills in engagement, advocacy and problem solving would be utilised along with the ability to navigate complex systems and demonstrate persistence, reliability and transparency in challenging and uncertain situations.
Course participant, Social Work in Disasters Train the Trainer ProgrammeIt was an important opportunity to reflect on how well we know our communities and what may need to be considered as part of an emergency response… I am also feeling inspired and touched by personal stories shared by colleagues.
Context is key
The training paid close attention to power, difference and contextual issues relating to disaster management and recovery, taking lead from BASW England and the University of Stirling’s Systemic Literature Review on Social Work and Disasters. Professional understanding of disproportionality and the impact of historic and current oppression promoted discussion and skills sharing relating to how the acknowledgement of power differentials and the need for fairness and equity were central to the role social workers can play in disaster recovery.
Learning about legislation and protocols that underpin disaster response strategies created opportunities to consider how social workers can make unique contributions to multiagency working and how transferable skills such as assessing, securing resources, and managing competing demands are critical to timely and coordinated responses to both the urgent and longer-term issues a disaster creates.
Course participant, Social Work in Disasters Train the Trainer ProgrammeI enjoyed thinking differently about the role that social workers play, outside of a statutory setting, and being reminded of the 'roots' of social work and community work.
Focus on well being
The subject of disasters is emotive and challenging, and the course paid significant attention to participant wellbeing. The reiteration that the course was a positive intention space and discussion regarding self-care practices brought forth important conversations regarding the impact of vicarious trauma and how social work as a profession thinks about this issue. Time was taken regularly throughout each day to enable people to share how they were feeling, in addition to both individual and group reflective time during different tasks. Individuals were encouraged to identify what they would need from their employer to support their wellbeing.
Both RBKC and Westminster have an employee assistance programme, and a health and wellbeing offer for all staff. These offers were highlighted to participants at the start of the course and were promoted on an ongoing basis. The BASW England trainers paid particular attention to the energy levels in the room and engagement, checking in with participants continually. Participants were asked to spend time thinking about what they would need from their employer in order to advocate for self-care and feel supported in a disaster response role.
Course participant, Social Work in Disasters Train the Trainer ProgrammeThe course has increased my understanding of the need for human response to disasters. It has equipped me in leadership skills for understanding disasters.
Reflections
The train the trainer model offered scope for participants to become immersed in the content of the course whilst considering how to share the themes and material with future participants. Being part of a diverse group comprising social workers from children and adult services ensured multiple opportunities to learn from each other’s professional expertise and engage in rich discussions exploring a range of perspectives and viewpoints connected to personal and professional identities.
Feedback from the course was overwhelmingly positive, with participants highlighting the flexibility in the programme allowing time for group discussions and reflection. The trainers also appreciated the opportunity to develop connections across teams, services and organisations. Participants particularly valued hearing from people with lived experience and the developing their understanding of the vital role that social workers play in listening to and supporting survivors in disaster response and recovery.
What’s next?
Following the completion of the course the trainers have worked collectively to use their learning to deliver the several courses to colleagues; further courses are planned for the autumn and spring terms. The long-term aim is for all social workers in RBKC and WCC to complete the training.
If you are interested in accessing the online version of the training, please visit our dedicated webpage.
Course participant, Social Work in Disasters Train the Trainer ProgrammeThe BASW England Social Work in Disasters training is an excellent course that I would recommend to all social work employers. It enabled me to unpack and better understand the role of social workers in disasters, and how we can better define and enhance this going forward. Thank you!
