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Developing practitioner-survivor partnerships: playing to our strengths and sharing common ground

Modeling Practitioner-Survivor Partnerships:

The latest in our exciting line up of keynote speakers for the BASPCAN 2018 child protection congress

Clare Shaw, educationalist, writer and expert-by-experience and Sam Warner, consultant clinical psychologist and associate lecturer are an inspiring duo who will be launching our partnership day at the BASPCAN 2018 child protection congress.

Clare Shaw
Clare Shaw
Sam Warner
Sam Warner

Clare, our poet in residence for the congress, is an educationalist and a writer. Her work is explicitly grounded in academic and professional knowledge, and also in her own experiences of self-injury and using mental health services. She is the author of “Otis Doesn’t Scratch (PCCS 2015); co-editor of “Our Encounters with Self-injury” (PCCS 2013); and has published numerous articles and book chapters. Sam, co-convenor of the congress is a chartered and consultant clinical psychologist. She works as an academic, consultant, expert witness, researcher, psychotherapist, public speaker and trainer. Throughout Sam’s career she has focused on helping people make sense of trauma associated with abuse, neglect and loss; and related issues such as attachment difficulties, dissociation, self-harm and suicide. They work closely together delivering training and interventions in relation to mental health, self-harm, suicide, and sexual violence.

 

Developing practitioner-survivor partnerships:

playing to our strengths and sharing common ground

In their presentation,  Clare and Sam will draw on their experiences of working together to construct a model for sustaining an equitable partnership between practitioners and survivors. Their joint work is explicitly informed by structural and post-structural understandings of power. They will demonstrate how this has enabled them to explore the power differential between survivors and professionals that historically has prioritised professional accounts and marginalised survivor wisdom. Their presentation will include personal disclosure, reflexive practice and having a good sense of humour! They will draw on their own value base and coping strategies that have enabled them to challenge their own personal experiences of being located within structures of power.

 

Thinking Outside the Box: innovative perspectives on protecting children and young people

The BASPCAN tenth international congress will run from 8th-11th April 2018 at the University of Warwick.

The call for abstracts and registration are both now open, so I hope you will join us for this really exciting and inspiring conference.

 

For more details, to submit an abstract, or to register for the congress, please see our congress website:

Congress 2018

 

 

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Child Protection

Child Protection

A poem by Clare Shaw for the 2018 BASPCAN child protection congress

Once, everything felt like threat.

Only my body

 

could keep yours alive.

We’d get up to check your breathing:

 

it was shallow and warm

on my cheek.

 

The whole world swam

in its tide.

 

I gazed into the dark

where no monsters were;

 

built fences to keep you

safe;

 

put the matches

up on the highest shelf.

 

I took on the wolf

with my own weak teeth

 

Never

will you not be my child,

 

would I not hold you,

wrap you in blankets of stars,

 

sweep stones from your path

so you won’t fall.

 

I will hold your hand by habit

on the road.

 

and you ask would I die for you –

a thousand times over

 

but the fences are growing smaller

and you should climb them.

 

I am giving you the matches.

Now make fire.

 

 

Clare Shaw, Poet in Residence

Clare Shaw photoClare Shaw is an educationalist and a writer. Her work is explicitly grounded in academic and professional knowledge, and also in her own experiences of self-injury and using mental health services. She is the author of “Otis Doesn’t Scratch (PCCS 2015); co-editor of “Our Encounters with Self-injury” (PCCS 2013); and has published numerous articles and book chapters.  Clare is also a Royal Literary Fellow at the University of Huddersfield. She is “one of Britain’s most dynamic and powerful young poets” (Arvon Foundation), and as such creativity and performance are an important element of her work.

 

Clare writes about her poetry:

“Part of the alchemy of poetry is not knowing what you’re going to write until it is written. I don’t have a road map for the poetry I’ll write over the coming year. Child protection, abuse and harm are huge topics to address; that’s why poetry is a perfect way to approach them. Once I started writing, I knew that I wanted to begin by deconstructing some of the language we’re all familiar with when we work in this field – by bringing it back to the ordinary and extraordinary experience of caring for a child”.

 

Thinking Outside the Box: BASPCAN Congress, 2018

Click here to find out more about the 2018 BASPCAN Congress

BASPCAN: For Child Protection Professionals
BASPCAN: For Child Protection Professionals
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Stand, look, ask…

Stand at the crossroads and look;
and ask for ancient paths
where the good way lies;
and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.

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Prejudice, discrimination and unconscious bias

Prejudice, discrimination and unconscious bias: A keynote presentation at the 2018 BASPCAN congress by Kish Bhatti-Sinclair

Kish Bhatti-Sinclair
Kish Bhatti-Sinclair

Kish Bhatti-Sinclair, Reader in Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Chichester is the latest in our confirmed list of keynote speakers for the 2018 BASPCAN international child protection congress.

Kish is well known for her work on social work, race and racism. This includes research on the importance of border controls and information technology in the countries of the European Union, globalisation in relation to social work values and inter-professional working in a culturally appropriate way.  Kish has shown a particular interest in research methodologies sensitive to the needs of black and minority ethnic (BME) populations.  Kish has worked on a number of research projects evaluating social work practice and used theories such as modern racism to test discriminatory attitudes and behaviours.

 

Prejudice, discrimination and unconscious bias: is it time to rethink our approaches to the victims and perpetrators of child sexual exploitation?

Victims of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) are often portrayed in popular media and some Government reports as working class, sexualised beings who are hard to reach and difficult to engage. Social workers and police officers are not pursuing cases for fear of being accused of racism.  There is a disproportionate reporting of Muslim men as sexual predators.  CSE is increasingly being located in areas with high Muslim populations.  The link between the exploitation of (mainly) young, white women victims to (mainly) Muslim men is adding to the fear, distrust and general anxiety about external threats such as immigration and terrorism.

 

Drawing on her own research on case data from the USA and UK, Kish will explore important themes in relation to how we respond to issues of race and racism in relation to child sexual exploitation.

 

This is just one of an inspiring collection of keynote talks planned for the 2018 BASPCAN international congress.

Registration for the congress is now open, and we are inviting abstracts from anyone wishing to present at the congress.

Take a look at our website where you can find out more about the congress, the exciting programme, and some of the ‘out of the box’ features which will make this a really worthwhile and inspiring time.

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West Midlands: No-one left behind

West Midlands: No-one left behind

I am proud to live in the West Midlands. It is a great part of the country, with a rich history and a dynamic sense of diversity and inclusion. And it is an area that seems to offer hope and promise. And it is in that context that the mayoral election coming up on the 4th May seems to be an incredible opportunity for a new direction – one in which we see some real development that benefits everyone and in which no-one is left behind.

That is the promise being offered by James Burn, the Green Party candidate for the West Midlands mayor.

In his manifesto, James Burn outlines his vision for a better West Midlands:

jamesburn2This manifesto is my vision for a better West Midlands. A West Midlands we can create together. A happier, healthier and more sustainable West Midlands where no-one is left behind.

 

This is a bold and ambitious manifesto, but one which seems to get to the heart of what is needed to make the West Midlands a better, healthier and more sustainable region. James sets out his vision for what is needed in terms of greater transparency, accountability and inclusion in the governance of the region; for a growing economy; more accessible transport and housing; a healthier environment; steps to boosting equality and diversity; tackling crime; and working for greater wellbeing and public health.

And, although ambitious, I see this as a credible and achievable manifesto, and one which James seems to have the credentials and commitment to see through.

james Burn 1

James is currently an elected councillor for Chelmsley Wood in Solihull. He is Leader of the Opposition on Solihull Council (one of the 7 constituent members of the WMCA).

James has lived in the West Midlands for more than 15 years and has worked across much of the region in the private, public and voluntary sectors including as a senior policy advisor within local government. He is a qualified social worker and currently runs his own small business.

 

So I will be voting for James Burn in the forthcoming Mayoral election.

I encourage all my West Midlands friends to read his manifesto and to take this opportunity to bring about a positive change for our region.

 

James Burn’s Mayoral Manifesto

You can read James Burn’s manifesto by clicking here, or on his website: www.jamesburn.org

Here are some highlights:

Democracy

  • Ensuring that the West Midlands Combined Authority is transparent and accountable and truly representative of the people of the West Midlands;
  • Taking a lead in only taking the average salary for the West Midlands and being transparent in his own expenses;
  • Engaging more directly with the communities he is representing

The economy

  • Championing inclusive growth and supporting small enterprises, co-operatives and local businesses in the region;
  • Supporting more apprenticeships and skills training;
  • Pressing for the living wage throughout the West Midlands, reporting on the gap between the highest and lowest paid workers in the authority, and lobbying for a trial of universal basic income in the region

Transport

  • Bringing public transport back into public ownership;
  • Improving local bus, metro and rail links and ensuring they are more accessible to all, including students, the elderly, the disabled, and parents with young children;
  • Developing a long-term plan to increase walking and cycling and making them safer and more accessible to all

Housing

  • Making the provision of more housing, including more affordable housing, a top priority;
  • Improving standards for private landlords;
  • Helping homeless people get back on their feet and stay there by the provision of more housing options, linking together homeless services, and ensuring the provision of good information to those in need

Environment and Energy

  • Working towards a clean and affordable, low-carbon energy system;
  • Setting up a municipally owned West Midlands Energy Company to provide clean and affordable energy to the West Midlands;
  • Protecting wildlife and green spaces and making them more accessible to all

Equality and Diversity

  • Challenging discrimination and inequality throughout the West Midlands;
  • Promoting open working and collaboration between faith groups, BAME communities and women’s groups and the police, schools, voluntary groups and others;
  • Ensuring more women, members of BAME communities and people from socio-economically disadvantaged groups are able to start up their own businesses;

Crime and Community

  • Commission community and voluntary organisations to investigate ways in which the police can improve their relationships with local communities;
  • Targeting sexual violence and abuse of both adults and children through police training, reporting of violence and abuse, and public education;
  • Focusing more resources on tackling the causes of crime including evidence-based drugs policies, restorative justice, and support to reduce reoffending

Wellbeing and Public Health

  • Institute well-being measures for the success of the combined authority broken down across geographical areas and socio-economic groups;
  • Tackling income inequalities;
  • Promoting programmes to improve mental health and wellbeing

 

 

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On letting Easter in

On letting Easter in – Macrina Wiederkehr

When dawn stands still with wonder

when birds jubilate in the trees

when buds hurry into blossoms

and grass starts wearing green

I always know that Easter wants to come again.

.

But deeper yet and richer still

When Jesus, imprisoned in me,

asks me to roll away the stone

that locks him in

then Easter wants to come again.

.

So, let it come

It’s one dawn past rising time

and Resurrection is the wildest news

that’s ever touched

this crazy, mixed-up world.

It says, yes!

when everything else says, no!

It says, up!

when everything else says, down!

It says, live!

when everything else says, die!

.

Easter’s standing at your door again,

so don’t you see that stone has got to go?

that stone of fear

of selfishness and pride

of greed and blindness

and all the other stones we use

to keep Jesus in the tomb.

.

So here’s to rolling stones away

to give our Lord the chance He needs

to rise and touch

a troubled, lonely world.

Some call it Resurrection.

It’s wild with wonder,

It’s beautiful and real

Intent on throwing life around

it touches and it heals!

.

Yes, Easter, you can come

An angel of life I’ll be.

I’ll roll the stone away

and set you free.

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Psalm 22: Why have you forsaken me?

Psalm 22: Good Friday 2017

A psalm of lament for all those who walk in darkness,

who cry out to a God who seems to have abandoned them.

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me?

O my God, I howl in the daytime but you do not hear me.

I groan in the watches of the night, but I find no rest.

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

We are the hidden ones, the lonely ones, those who suffer in silence.

We are the elderly widow, sitting alone in a care home with no-one to visit;

The homeless man, huddling against the cold in a urine-tainted alley;

The confused teenager, scarred by abuse and the blade in her own hand;

The grief-stricken parents, crying out for the baby so cruelly snatched from them.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

 

Yet still you are the holy God whom Israel long has worshipped.

Our ancestors hoped in you, and you rescued them.

They trusted in you, and you delivered them.

They called upon you: you were faithful to your covenant.

They put their trust in you and were not disappointed.

 

But as for me, I crawl the earth like a worm,

despised by others, an outcast of the people.

All those who see me laugh me to scorn:

they make mouths at me, shaking their heads and saying,

‘He threw himself on God for deliverance:

let God rescue him then, if God so delights in him.’

 

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me?

O my God, I howl in the daytime but you do not hear me.

I groan in the watches of the night, but I find no rest.

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

We are the innocent ones, the powerless ones, those who cry out in silence.

We are crushed and broken, cast aside; trampled on by those with power.

We are the children gasping for breath with Sarin-tight lungs;

We are the ordinary civilians in Aleppo and Homs;

The helpless pawns in the global struttings of might.

We are the unsuspecting citizens of Westminster and Stockholm;

We are PC Palmer and Jo Cox, giving our lives in the cause of what is right.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

 

Yet still you are the holy God whom Israel long has worshipped.

 

Do not desert me, for trouble is hard at hand,

and there is no one to help me.

Wild beasts close in on me, narrow-eyed, greedy and sleek.

They open their mouths and snarl at me,

like a ravening and roaring lion.

 

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me?

O my God, I howl in the daytime but you do not hear me.

I groan in the watches of the night, but I find no rest.

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

We are the persecuted ones, the voiceless ones, those who persevere in silence.

We are the Coptic Christians, torn apart by extremist bombs;

We are Nigerian school girls abducted by Boko Haram;

We are the children, the women, whose basic rights are stolen;

The lesbians and gays condemned by church and state;

The minority groups, the poor, and all who are pushed to the margins.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

 

Yet still you are the holy God whom Israel long has worshipped.

 

Why are you so silent, God, why so far from helping me?

My strength drains away like water, my bones are out of joint.

My hands and my feet are withered, you lay me down in the dust of death.

 

The huntsmen are all about me:

a circle of the wicked hem me in on every side.

They have pierced my hands and my feet –

I can count all my bones –

they stand staring and gloating over me.

They divide my garments among them.

They cast lots for my clothes.

 

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me?

O my God, I howl in the daytime but you do not hear me.

I groan in the watches of the night, but I find no rest.

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

We are the hungry ones, the thirsty, who groan with pangs of silence.

We are the mothers and babies in South Sudan, crying out for a breastfull of milk;

We are the victims of greed in a world of plenty;

The marginalised poor in the slums of Manila and the Favelas of Mexico;

The exploited, the trafficked, those held in bonded labour;

We are the disempowered immigrant standing in line at a foodbank,

While the rich grow richer and turn the other way.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

 

 

Yet still you are the holy God whom Israel long has worshipped.

 

Be not far from me, O God:

you are my helper, hasten to my aid.

Deliver me from the sword,

my life from the falling of the axe.

 

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me?

O my God, I howl in the daytime but you do not hear me.

I groan in the watches of the night, but I find no rest.

 

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

We are your people, your ordinary people.

We sit in silence with all our fears and doubts.

We feel like broken candles in a world of growing darkness,

silent voices in a world of violence and greed.

Injustice and oppression shatter the lives of so many and our prayers seem so futile.

We cry out to you, O God, and yet you are silent.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken us?

 

 

 

Silent God, we bring the cries of our battered hearts, and the cries of those burdened by illness and bowed down by the weight of oppression. We bring them so that we may not be silent. Hear us in the name of Jesus, forsaken on the cross.

 

* The quotations from the Psalm (in italics) are taken from Jim Cotter, Psalms for a Pilgrim People. Morehouse Publishing, 1998