The first undergraduate conference for School of SSESW Social Work students took place at Queen's University on 12 October. It was co-hosted by our Social Work team of academics, third year Social Work students Ioan Racasan and Geoffrey Kennedy, and the British Association for Social Work, Northern Ireland (BASW NI).

Our new Head of School Professor Daniel Muijs (right) and Social Work academic Professor Joe Duffy (left) were delighted to welcome all to this unique opportunity for students to hear from a range of Social Work practitioners and providers. Keynote speaker, Dr Neil Thompson, delivered a presentation on Social Work: A force for good, followed by discussion with the student participants. Neil’s expertise encompasses equality and diversity; conflict management; mental health and wellbeing; grief and trauma; communication; and reflective practice and self-directed learning.

The Social Work students at the event heard presentations from Bryson Care on Social Work Voices and the Shared Stories Narrative Model. Barnardo's presented on Working With Refugees and their refugee and asylum seekers service. In addition, students had opportunities to visit networking stands to chat with social workers from all the Health Trusts in Northern Ireland, the Youth Justice Agency, the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the Office of Social Services.