Great this morning as always, to see the amazing large-scale artwork - Céad Míle Fáilte - by artist / master calligrapher Denis Brown in ⁦‪@DublinAirport‬⁩ T2. These photos don’t do it justice, so check it out yourself, en route to gates 331-335 (a little out of the general way). Cf: quillskill.com

My article on #SocialWork & #Probation + value of strengthening SW role in criminal justice in Ireland, just published in Probation Journal ⬇️ I discuss / critique recent developments & offer recommendations for future actions. journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....

My piece in today’s @irishexaminer.bsky.social where I argue for full restoration of #SocialWork registration for #Probation Officers: “Quantity over quality will not benefit probation outcomes” www.e-pages.dk/irishexamine...

“Football brings everyone together,” ... @sligorovers.bsky.social and football in Loughan House Prison via Cian O’Connell @irishtimes.com 👉 www.e-pages.dk/irishtimes/5...

EU drug report warns of rising cocaine use and synthetic drug threats across Europe - www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtan... via @irishexaminer.bsky.social @cormacokeeffe.bsky.social

EU drug report warns of rising cocaine use and synthetic drug threats across Europe

European Union Drugs Agency highlights surging cocaine seizures, new synthetic threats, and stark warning signs for Ireland

irishexaminer.com

2/2: Social work faces continuing & evolving challenges; the work & voice of IASW + our sister associations - incl @IFSW and @BASW_NI - has never been more important and needed, in striving to achieve social justice and human rights. With best wishes to the incoming IASW Board

1/2: As I step down as Irish Assoc of Social Workers Chair @ yesterday’s AGM, it’s been an honour + privilege to have this leadership role in our #SocialWork professional association. Huge thanks to the Board, Committees, Working Groups, SIGs, staff team + all members who contribute so much to IASW

In Croke Park this morning for the launch by Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor of the FARI #Addiction #Recovery report on ‘Trauma in the Community Conference 2024.’

Great to meet - w/ Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) COO, Caroline Strong - final year MSW students @ UCD today. Discussed issues in #SocialWork & benefits of IASW membership. Best wishes to all joining profession. Thanks @sarahdonnelly.bsky.social 4 invite! #StrongerTogether #BrightFuture

Still time to get your abstract in for the 10th National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference! New deadline 👇 www.ucc.ie/en/swconf/ab...

The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) statement in response to Farrelly Commission Report. Government must act now in the wake of the ‘Grace’ case. www.iasw.ie/IASW_Respons... #AdultSafeguarding

British Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, has written an ode to #probation officers - A life in the day of - and it is brilliant. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

My piece in today’s @irishexaminer.bsky.social on the training, recruitment and retention challenges in #SocialWork in Ireland: www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm... #IASW

Vivian Geiran: Tusla failings reflect deep-seated problems with cost and demand

New apprenticeship model for social workers via UCC masters should see an improvement in numbers and diversity entering the job

irishexaminer.com

Looking forward to this #IASW online event tomorrow to mark World Social Work Day 2025. iasw.ie/events/629-wor… #WSWD2025 #IFSW

Today Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD + Stephanie O’Keefe CEO & Caroline Fennell Chairperson of Cuan, DSGBV Agency launched our Hardest Stories awareness campaign. Let’s stop domestic, sexual and gender-based violence being part of anyone’s story. More: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns... #DSGBV

Call for papers: 10th National #ChildProtection and Welfare #SocialWork Conference UCC, 24/10/25 A collaboration between the @UCCsocialwork, Tusla and IASW www.ucc.ie/en/swconf/ab... Closing date: 11th April 2025. The conference and call for papers are open to all disciplines and services

Delighted to speak at the launch of Dr Joe Whelan’s book, ‘Critical Theory for Social Work.’ A huge amount of scholarship & expertise went into making this book so ‘simple’ + accessible, presenting critical theory so systemically. I recommend it to anyone interested in #SocialWork #IASW

Excellent piece on mental health/illness, crime and punishment - including addressing some dangerous myths - in today’s Irish Examiner by Gautam Gulati and Brendan Kelly: www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Prison and mental illness: Five myths and some solutions

Like everyone who comes into contact with the criminal justice system, people with mental illness have rights and responsibilities. In reality, however, people with mental illness are more likely to b...

irishexaminer.com

Welcome to BlueSky, @swconfucc.bsky.social Looking forward to hearing more here about this year’s Child Protection and Welfare Conference @ucc.bsky.social !

National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference (@swconfucc.bsky.social)

Conference examining themes and developments in child protection and welfare in Ireland. This inter-agency, not-for-profit initiative is comprised of social workers from the child protection and welfa...

swconfucc.bsky.social

Huge thanks Clíona Murphy & ⁦‪Irish Assoc of Social Workers (IASW)‬⁩ for today’s +++ webinar on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) & requirements of ⁦‪@CORUIreland‬⁩ registration. Vital for all #SocialWorkers to plan, implement, reflect + review our ongoing CPD for safe/effective SW services.

Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) is calling for the immediate release of Dr Hussam Aby Safiya and all Health and Social Care professionals detained without charge, trial or appropriate judicial process. Read full statement here: www.iasw.ie/Release_Dr_H...

Two publications today from the Sentencing Guidelines & Information Committee (Judicial Council): on District Court Judges’ views on sentencing by ⁦‪Dr Niamh Maguire‬⁩ + paper on supervised community sanctions, both referencing intimate relationship violence: judicialcouncil.ie/sentencing-g...

With #IASW colleagues and joined with other #HSCP groups on demonstration in Dublin today in support of + solidarity with Palestine, calling for an end to the slaughter. #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow @aoifebairead.bsky.social @irishhcw4palestine.bsky.social

Very happy to find this beauty in my postbox today - latest (bumper) edition of Irish Social Worker journal - one of many benefits of @IASW_IRL membership! As always, it’s full of excellent articles by practitioners, academics/researchers and students. Can’t wait to read! #SocialWork #Research

🔔 Calling all #SocialWorkers and all our colleagues: Ask your public representatives what they are going to do to implement safe staffing levels for all #HSCPAs #GE2024 📣 #SafeStaffingNow

Delighted to speak on behalf of Irish Assoc of Social Workers (IASW) at the very positive event in the Richmond Centre, Dublin yesterday to mark launch of Social Work Awareness Week 2024. Well done TUSLA for organising such a great event and diverse lineup of excellent speakers. #StrongerTogether

Participated w/ ⁦‪@IASW_IRL‬⁩ colleague ⁦‪@AoifeBairead‬⁩ in v positive, solution-focused workshop @ Bluebell Community Centre today, convened by Senator Lynn Ruane who is drafting a Long-Term Strategy on Violence, reflective of the community, for Canal Community Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force.