Social Workers in Disability (SWID) Special Interest Group

Who we are? 

Social Workers in Disability Special Interest Group (SWID) is a forum for social workers involved in any area of disability services. Membership consists of practitioners from Children’s Network Disability Teams, adult disability services, Hospitals such as the NRH and voluntary agencies. 

The role of Social Workers in Disability is to work in partnership with people with disabilities, their families, carers as well as colleagues and service providers to identify needs, to facilitate emotional and practical support and to empower people to enhance their quality of life. 

Vision Statement 

To work as a collective to identify gaps in current service provision, seek the development of new services, highlight inequality, work to bring about change in policies, resource issues and societal attitudes 

Mission Statement 

SWID aims to represent and advance social work practice in the field of disability thereby improving services for clients and their families/carers 

Objectives 

1. To act as a support network for Social Workers in the field of disability 

1. To share knowledge and up to date information relevant to our client group 

1. To highlight gaps in services and advocate for enhanced services and resources 

1. To represent the IASW at relevant committees or fora regarding disability 

1. To enhance social work knowledge and training in the area through hosting of an annual conference and/or seminars 

1. To promote the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities within the wider community 

Committee Members 

Chair: Sarah Kavanagh has recently stepped down as Chair and this is currently vacant 

Secretary:  Anne O’Loughlin 

IASW Rep: Colman Parker 

There are a large number of regular attendees to meetings who carry out committee tasks. 

How often meetings take place 

Meetings take place on Zoom every 6 to 8 weeks and there is an annual conference/AGM held each Autumn 

Current Activities/Plans/Projects 

1. SWID has been involved in holding a series of meetings for Social Workers in Progressive Disability Services/Network Disability Teams. The meetings are attended by approximately 30 Social Workers There are many issues of concern being raised regarding the transition into new PDS teams, unrealistic caseloads and the social work role on the teams as well as supervision and career structures. This subgroup is working on 3 key areas – The role of Social Work in PDS, Caseload Weighting and Governance and Supervision 

1. In 2021, the annual conference focused on children with disabilities who are at risk of abuse/neglect in order to strengthen links between these 2 key areas of social work practice.  

1. The group has made submissions and/or representations on the proposed new Safeguarding of Adults at Risk of Abuse policy and has been engaged with the Safeguarding SIG on areas of mutual interest 

1. SWID provided an online platform for Social Workers in various disability services to share information, experiences and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic 

1. SWID has been actively engaged in submission to policies and legislation including ADMA, Safeguarding, National Standards for Children’s Disability Services, the lack of residential placements for children with disabilities and Homecare services 

1. A member of SWID represents the IASW on the Irish Heart Foundation Council on Stroke as well as the Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Programme 

1. SWID is planning a conference for November 2022 with the theme of Transitions from Paediatric to Adult services 

How to join 

Please contact Anne O’Loughlin at anne.o’loughlin@nrh.ie