Seminar Programme

 
 

Discover the latest practice with a full day of free CPD

 

The Social Work Show features a packed conference programme of free CPD seminars, workshops and panel discussions delivered by leading experts, academics, practitioners and organisations from across the social work sector. Whether you are a student, newly qualified social worker or an experienced practitioner, you are welcome to attend the event at any time throughout the day. You will find sessions designed to inform, inspire and support your professional development.

The conference is free for all pre-registered visitors and all social workers, social carers and allied health professionals. There will be  6 seminar rooms  running a series of workshops as well as the popular Social Work Cinema.

This year's conference will explore some of the profession's most important topics, including panel discussions covering:

- Artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of social work
Hosted by Social Work Today

- Leadership in the Helping Professions: Embracing emotional complexity
Hosted by Claudia Megele & Tanya Moore, Authors and Researchers
Panellists TBC: Yvette Stanley (Director of Ofsted), Jim McMannus (Director of Public Health Wales), Dr. Peter Buzzi, Prof. David Shemmings, Prof. Robin Miller, Anthony Douglas, Sharon Shoesmith

- The challenges facing social workers in England’s coastal regions
Hosted by Dave Callow, Chair, Social Workers Union
Panellists: Prof. Jermaine Ravalier, Dr Joe Hanley, Dr Paulina Wegrzynek, Dr Nazm Berry, Marria Riaz

Plus conference sessions including:  

- Anti-discriminatory practice in 2026

-  Not just a placement decision: Good care from the perspective of service users

- Before you knock: Confidence and safety in home visits

- Working in a trauma-informed way with parents

- Professional identity in social work

- Neurodiversity and social work

- How do you approach a case when a parent denies the harm caused?

- “But what do social workers do?” The value of social work in multidisciplinary practice

- Holding Fast: Innovation, connection and diversity in challenging times

- Risk in child protection: From vagueness to validity

- Connecting meaningfully with families and avoiding “assessment robot” mode

- The Forensic Lens: Gaining clarity in complex safeguarding cases

and many more...

A full programme will be released closer to the event...

For further details, please view The Social Work Show, Manchester 2026 leaflet here