Care to chat? A podcast from the Northern Ireland Social Care Council

Why are men still significantly underrepresented in social work, and what unique perspectives and strengths do they bring to the profession?
These questions and more are explored in this final episode of our Care to Chat? Series, as host Dr Wendy Austin MBE is joined by a panel of male social workers and social work professionals from across Northern Ireland to discuss their career journeys, the realities of the profession, and the important role men play in social work today.
With more than 6,500 registered social workers in Northern Ireland, around 85% are women. In this episode, the panel reflects on why that imbalance exists, challenges stereotypes around caring professions and highlight the cross-sector and diverse career opportunities available.
Joining our host Dr Wendy Austin MBE for the discussion are Dr James Todd, Deputy Head of Service and Lead Approved Social Worker, Southern Health and Social Care Trust, Michael Warren, Manager, Extern, Stuart Plants, Probation Officer, Probation Board for Northern Ireland, Paul Campbell, Open University student, Senior Therapy Assistant, Children’s Services, Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Cian Roberts, social work student at Open University on placement with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust.
Drawing on their own experiences, the panel members discuss what attracted them to social work, the importance of diversity within teams, and the valuable role male social workers can play as positive influences in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. They reflect on the unique perspectives men can bring to the profession while supporting people through some of life’s most difficult challenges.
Interested in hearing more? Check out this new episode now.

Speaking up can often be seen as a huge personal risk to those who choose to speak out. This includes across the health and social care system.

In this episode in the ‘Care to chat’ 2026 podcast series, our host Dr Wendy Austin MBE speaks to Professor Peter McBride, Strategic Advisor and Organisational Consultant, Tracy Reid, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Social Care Council and Briege Donaghy, Chief Executive, Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). They shine a light on why more needs to be done to ensure workers can speak up. The conversation explores what ‘speaking up’ means for social workers and social care practitioners, and their colleagues across the health and social system.

We publish this episode as World Patient Safety Day is being recognised. With a palpable shift being felt across the system, recognising culture and safety across all public services, are more than policies and procedures (though these still need to be in place), listen in to hear to understand how these changes are not a choice but a necessity.

Talking about death and dying isn’t easy, however it’s an important conversation to have that can make all the difference for individuals and families. 
As part of Palliative Care Week (6-12 September 2026) we are releasing the latest episode of the Northern Ireland Social Care Council’s ‘Care to Chat?’ podcast. The theme of ‘It’s Not What You Think’ fits well with the discussion. 
Our host Dr Wendy Austin MBE explores one of the most sensitive yet important conversations in health and social care – focussing on palliative care, death and dying. 
Joined by Professor Audrey Roulston, Queen’s University Belfast, Aislinn Delaney, Northern Ireland Hospice, Rosena Robinson, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and Fiona Somers from Voices for Care, they discuss how honest communication, compassionate care and person-centred planning can help people live as well as possible following a life-limiting diagnosis. 
The episode offers valuable insight for social work and social care professionals, while also providing reassurance and practical guidance for anyone supporting someone with a life-limiting illness or planning for future care. 
Want to learn more? Listen to the episode now.

How do you start to break down the complexities of what violence against women and girls means in Northern Ireland, in particular for the social work and social care workforce?

In this podcast, Dr Wendy Austin MBE talks to experts to unpack what violence against women and girls looks like, its impacts and what can be done to address it, starting with the basics – and hopefully by the end listeners will know a little more about how to play a part by starting ‘Conversations that count.’

Influential voices sharing their perspectives include Anne Marks, Independent Chair of Domestic Homicide Reviews, Sheila Simons, Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI), Tracy Reid, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland and Social Care Council and Sonya McMullan, Regional Services Manager, Women's Aid Northern Ireland.

Through a thoughtful conversation for each of us, this episode explores ideas, insights and their hopes for a safer future through cross-sector approach to prevention, response and recovery.

For those who can see where violence is happening, including social workers and social care practitioners, whether they work with adults, older people or children and young people, it’s important to know what to do or say back to someone who they see is being harmed, and also what to do if they themselves are a victim.

Want to find out more? Listen to this podcast where it is clear we all have a collective responsibility to do better and provide across sector services to tackle this as one.

Content warning: The Care to chat podcast offers a safe space where we can discuss important topics with experts and those with lived experience. This podcast episode contains discussions about violence against women and girls and domestic violence and we advise listener discretion as this can be a sensitive discussion to listen to for some. We will be listing a number of resources at the end of the episode if you or someone you know requires support. For support please call the domestic and sexual abuse helpline is open 24/7 every day. Call 0808 802 1414 and in an emergency dial 999.

Social work is a global practice with common values and transferable skills – it is a profession that embraces cultural diversity and sees different practice experiences as being a strength for social work practice, including in the Northern Ireland context. This episode is a celebration of that, as ‘Care to chat?’ dedicates a conversation to internationally qualified social workers – both those who are thinking of coming to work in Northern Ireland, those who are already working here and those who support them on their journey to supporting communities.So, who are internationally qualified social workers’ and how come they want to practice social work in Northern Ireland? In the studio with our host Dr Wendy Austin MBE, are Tricia Devlin, Professional Adviser, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Rosie Fleming, Social Work Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Albert Abraham, Social Worker, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust who is originally from India and Kellie Young, Probation Officer, Probation Board for Northern Ireland, who is a proud Yorta Yorta woman from Yorta Yorta Country in Victoria, Australia.Tips and hints, and things to look out for, are shared, including expert advice from those with experience of becoming registered to work in Northern Ireland.What is clear is the fulfilling work internationally qualified social workers are doing to make a difference for us all.Content warning: The episode deals with sensitive issues related to racism and other forms of discrimination. If this topic raises sensitive or triggering emotions for you, now may not be the right time for you to listen to it. Look after yourself when listening to this and ensure you seek support if you need it.