The 16^th March 2021 marked World Social Work Day and as a Teaching Partnership we found it would be most suitable to celebrate the event with a Masterclass to share knowledge, expertise and understanding in the profession. 120 students, practitioners and academics had signed up to join Robert Johns to explore the impact of COVID-19 on Human Rights.  Robert is a registered SW and an esteemed academic with a long-stretching career. Those who have studied Social Work in the UK, you will most likely have read his books on Law for Social Workers.

A year ago the COVID-19 pandemic started to take grip in the UK and since then the profession had to adapt and adjust to practice changes never experienced before. So a review of how government guidance, easements on the Care Act 2014 and contact issues for children in care had impacted on Human Rights seemed rather fitting. 

Robert was able to engage us in critical review of case law and decisions that had been taken in light of the pandemic by courts and we wondered together how this will in turn inform practice in the present and in the future.  

It is fair to say that everyone learned something about the application of Human Rights legislation in the UK and practitioners were enabled to question and challenge interpretation of local processes and procedures to be true advocates for vulnerable people and families. 

It was a joy to celebrate World Social Work day with an inspirational group of practitioners and students – here is to another year of inspiring learning and working together. 

Tilia Lenz – Senior Lecturer Social Work and CPD