Messy Social Work

A few years ago, Rich carried out an assessment that concluded Juliette couldn’t safely care for her children. It was a difficult moment, shaped by years of substance misuse, trauma, and repeated involvement from services.
That assessment recommended residential rehabilitation.
Juliette went on to take that step.
In this conversation, Rich and Tim speak with Juliette about what was happening in her life at the time, why previous support hadn’t led to lasting change, and what was different about rehab. She shares openly about addiction, domestic abuse, and the reality of trying to rebuild a life.
Today, Juliette is clean, sober, and her children are back in her care.
This episode is about what can happen after the assessment — and what it really takes for change to occur.
Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/

Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme

Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/

Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/

Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme

Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/

Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

Connect with Ethan here: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-st-pierre-bb58403ab/
Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/

Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme

Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/

Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

Connect with Ethan here: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethan-st-pierre-bb58403ab/
Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/

Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme

Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/

Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/

In this conversation, Rich and Tim and Mark Hopfenbeck explore the concept of Open Dialogue, its origins, and its application in mental health and social work. They discuss the importance of community involvement, the need for continuity in care, and the training required to develop relational skills. Mark emphasizes the significance of peer support and the challenges faced in implementing Open Dialogue in various settings. The conversation also touches on the role of evidence in validating Open Dialogue practices and the future of this approach in mental health care.

Mark's presentation at the Thrive conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EAegtEWsi4&t=2s
Professor Russell Razzaque on Radio 4 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUVXKrFqaqE

 takeaways

Open Dialogue originated from a need for better mental health support.
The approach emphasizes community involvement and transparency.
Continuity of care is crucial for building trust and relationships.
Training in relational skills is essential for effective practice.
Open Dialogue can be adapted to diverse cultural contexts.
Peer support plays a vital role in the Open Dialogue framework.
The approach encourages flexibility in meeting arrangements.
Evidence-based practice is important for validating Open Dialogue.
Radical transparency can improve client-professional relationships.
Open Dialogue reflects the values of excellent social work.

 sound bites

"It's a very human way of being."
"We can do it better, and we can do it for less."
"We can show that everyone seems to be better."

Chapters

00:00 The Origins of Open Dialogue
04:21 The Evolution of Open Dialogue Practices
08:47 The Role of Community and Relationships
13:23 Open Dialogue in Diverse Settings
17:35 Comparing Traditional and Open Dialogue Approaches
26:23 Understanding Moral Injury in Healthcare Professionals
28:44 The Impact of Open Dialogue Training
30:25 Relational Skills in Social Work
32:49 The Essence of Open Dialogue
35:28 Navigating Difficult Decisions in Mental Health
39:41 Radical Transparency and Compassion in Care
41:38 The Need for Evidence in Compassionate Care
45:21 Global Perspectives on Open Dialogue

Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/

Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme

Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/

Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/