July Newsletter     
IASW in the News
The IASW represented member views on a draft document prepared by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, on how social workers should respond to allegations of child abuse and neglect. Chairperson, Dónal O'Malley also spoke in relation to the many thousands of children and families waiting to be allocated a social worker by Tusla.
JOIN US!!!




Invitation to apply to join the IASW Journal Committee

If Interested in joining the Journal Committee please review the information on our website and e-mail office@iasw.ie including a short summary of any relevant experience, by Friday 31st July

IASW Annual Conference - Building Professional Resilience
The annual conference proved very popular this year, selling out quickly. Speaker and workshop presentations, the research posters & presentations from the research symposium are now available to download from the IASW past events section
Resources for Self Care
Community Care UK have developed a number of resources to support professional safety and wellbeing. A recent resource for social workers, now available on www.iasw.ie is their
CORU CPD Guide for Employers
CORU have developed a number of CPD resources which includes a Guide  to CPD for Employers. You can download the document from the CPD section of www.iasw.ie 
Upcoming CPD Events
Details of upcoming IASW events will be added to the events section of www.iasw.ie in the next few weeks so do visit the website if interested in booking a place on any of our upcoming events. Further details to follow in the next newsletter in August.
July 2015
donal
  

Welcome to the Association's July newsletter, where despite the mixed weather, we're really enjoying the summer months! Between the IASW Social Work Awards, the National Conference, the AGM and many other events and activities we've been engaged in, it's been a very active summer! 

 

Congratulations again to all those shortlisted for the IASW Social Work Awards 2015 and especially to the winners Christine, Aideen, Louise and the Mayo C&F Team! 

 

I'd like to welcome Sandra McDonagh, Patrice Reilly and Patricia Sweeney who were elected at the AGM to the Board and also to thank Terry Bradshaw, Terry Madden and Clodagh Donnelly who stepped down, for their hard work in the service of your Association. 


Please take a moment to check out the Annual Report from this year's AGM and see how the IASW and our members have been working for you and for social work in Ireland. We continue to represent the interests of social workers and their clients through our meetings with Ministers, speaking to issues in the media and forging alliances with like-minded organisations, influencing policy and promoting change. 

 

Please forward this on to your colleagues and encourage other social workers to join the IASW. We are stronger together and collectively, we can and are making a difference!

Dónal O'Malley, IASW Chair
IASW Social Work Awards 2015
Winners!
From left to right, Christine Hennessey, Aideen McDonnell, members of the Mayo Child Welfare & Protection Team and Louise Conneally 
The first ever Social Work Awards in Ireland were held by the IASW on the 4 th  June. The Awards are about recognising the excellent, diverse work that takes place in the profession and celebrating the many outstanding achievements of social workers across Ireland. It also has an important role to play in making social work's contribution known to the wider public. Tribute was paid to the 'life changing' work of social workers at the ceremony where guests recognised the skill and professionalism of frontline practitioners nominated. See below for the shorltist and winner in each category.

Category Shortlist: Newly Qualified Social Worker of the Year 2015

Tara Whelan

Louise Conneally (Winner)

 

Category Shortlist: Practice Teacher of the Year 2015

Majella Hickey

Aideen McDonnell (Winner)

David Williamson

 

Category Shortlist: Social Worker of the Year 2015

Patrice Reilly

Christine Hennessy (Winner)

Claire O'Regan

 

Category Shortlist: Team of the Year 2015

West Central Team, Child and Family Agency, Donegal

Child Protection and Welfare Team, Mayo (Winner)

Dublin North City Fostering Social Work Team, Dublin 9


Click here to read more and to view photos from the night.

A very big thank-you to the judges and to all who helped to make the night such a success!
Results of Survey on Irish Social Worker

Thanks all those who completed the recent survey regarding the Irish Social Worker Journal. The information received will be of significant benefit to the future Editor and IASW Journal committee in their work. Here's a summary of the key findings:

  1. 136 members completed the survey;
  2. 70% of members were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the Journal;
  3. 79% of members stated that the Journal was somewhat relevant & 19% stated it was very relevant;
  4. 56% of members stated that they used the Journal for research purposes;
  5. 88% of members stated that the Journal should be made available for open access;
  6. 33% stated no time delay for open access, 29% stated 6 months and 13% stated 12 months.
IASW Delegation from June meeting with Minister Kathleen Lynch. From left to right Nicola Byrne (CAMHS SIG), Sharon Flood (Primary Care SIG), Frida Lowry (SWID SIG) and Anette O'Callaghan (SIGA SIG)