Learning from research seminar: Building Strong Foundations with strengths based practice.

This research seminar is open to members of the West Midlands Social Work Teaching Partnership. Please see below for our Partner organisations.

The University of Birmingham’s research has identified eight ‘top tips’ for local authorities to embed strengths based working within social care services. The research project studied three local authorities in England which were highly committed to strengths-based practice (York, Camden, and Birmingham). Each sought to embed this approach throughout their social care system by introducing new services and interventions and through supporting their front-line social care practitioners change their day-to-day work.

The session will outline the practice implications of the research for social workers and team managers drawing on the practice report and examples from practice. The session will also draw on other research undertaken by the team, including the research on implementation in the West Midlands.

Facilitator bios: Professor Robin Miller is an applied academic with an international reputation in relation to integrated care, strengths-based practice and leadership in social work and social care. He is the social care lead within the WM Applied Research Collaboration, co-ordinates the community asset theme of the national priority programme for adult social care and social work and is a Senior Fellow of the NIHR School for Social Care Research.

Jerry Tew is Professor of Mental Health and Social Work at the University of Birmingham and is a Senior Fellow of the NIHR School for Social Care Research.  He worked as social worker in local authority and voluntary sector settings, before moving into academic teaching and research. He has undertaken research on recovery and on personalisation in mental health, strength and asset-based approaches in adult social care, and ‘whole family’ approaches in mental health and social care, including Open Dialogue and Family and Group Conferencing. 

Dr Philip Kinghorn is a Senior Lecturer in Health Economics at the University of Birmingham.  His primary research interest relates to the measurement of outcomes that can be included in economic analysis.  He has applied research experience in the areas of end-of-life care and adult social care.  Philip also has research interests in the interaction between health and adult social care services, and self-funders in the care sector.

Deadline to register: Monday the 27th of January 2025

Partner organisations:

Birmingham Children's Trust

Birmingham City Council

Birmingham City University

Cheshire East Council

City of Stoke-on-Trent Council

City of Wolverhampton Council

Coventry City Council

Coventry University

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Keele University

Sandwell Children's Trust

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Shropshire Council

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Staffordshire County Council (Including MPFT)

Staffordshire University

Telford & Wrekin Council

University of Birmingham

University of Warwick

University of Wolverhampton

University of Worcester

Walsall Council

Warwickshire County Council

Worcestershire County Council