Have you ever considered what the role of a Nearest Relative is like?

Under the Mental Health Act for England and Wales, any one of us could be thrust into the role, carrying the weight of its legal responsibilities, pressures of supporting our family member, and navigating the ever-complex mental health system.

A recent research project funded by UK Research and Innovation conducted with AMHPs and Nearest Relatives has co-created a package of tools and guidance to address these very challenges. The resources have been borne out in-depth research revealing the trauma, distress and isolation that many Nearest Relatives experience.

Host Jonny Adamson is joined by Mental Health Advocate and Nearest Relative, Debbie Best, Dr Jeremy Dixon from Cardiff University and Professor Judy Laing from Bristol University Law School to discuss the findings and support being made available. They also explore how else the mental health system could be strengthened and whether the reforms being brought in through the new Mental Health Act will be enough.

This episode touches on some difficult themes related to mental ill health, so listener discretion is advised. Details of mental health support are available below for anyone affected by anything raised in the discussion. We’ve also included links to the research, resources and an upcoming event on this topic being hosted by BASW England.

Our thanks to James Ede at Be Heard Productions for producing the episode.

- Nearest Relatives Resources: https://nearestrelativeresources.bristol.ac.uk/

- Beyond the call of duty: A Qualitative study into the experiences of family members acting as a Nearest Relative in Mental Health Act assessments: https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article/52/7/3783/6517149

- BASW England Mental Health Group Webinar: https://basw.co.uk/events/nearest-relatives-resources-empowering-relatives-mental-health-system-basw-england-mental

- Samaritans: 116 123 (Free, 24/7) or jo@samaritans.org

- Hub of Hope: https://hubofhope.co.uk/

- Mind: 0300 102 1234 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)

- Calm: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day)

- Text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential, 24/7 crisis support

- National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 0800 587 0800 (6pm to midnight every day)

- Papyrus (for under-35s) 0800 068 4141, email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697

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Significant elections are taking place in Scotland and Wales this year.

With the current political mood so unpredictable, the make-up of Holyrood in Edinburgh and the Senedd in Cardiff could be very different after May. And given that social work in Scotland and Wales is the full responsibility of these legislatures, any change is likely to have a sizeable impact on decisions taken about the profession, the workforce, and the people that social workers support.

So, what does social work need to be telling the parties and individuals vying for power? The Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) and BASW Cymru have both set out their manifestos which they want to see the next devolved governments take forward. This episode will consider what these asks are and which political levers they intend to pull to get them accepted.

Host Jonny Adamson is joined by three guests who have all played a major role in developing these manifestos and the campaigning strategies around them. Caroline McDonald, Social Work Team Leader in Children’s Services at Glasgow City Council and Co-Chair of SASW, Andrew Pennington, Senior Social Work Practitioner at Powys County Council and Chair of BASW Cymru, and George Hannah, Senior Public Affairs Officer for SASW.

They discuss how politics differs in Scotland and Wales to other parts of the UK, social work’s role in promoting the vote, and how the profession can use its voice more loudly to affect change in communities across the UK. They also hazard a guess as to who the political winners and losers could be come polling day.

Our thanks to James Ede at Be Heard Productions for producing the episode.

• BASW Cymru manifesto for 2026: Cymru Decides: https://basw.co.uk/policy-and-practice/resources/basw-cymru-manifesto-2026-cymru-decides
• A secure future for Scottish social work: https://basw.co.uk/policy-and-practice/resources/secure-future-scottish-social-work
• Scottish Parliament Election Hub 2026: https://basw.co.uk/about-basw/social-work-around-uk/sasw-basw-scotland/scottish-parliament-election-hub-2026

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Let’s Talk Social Work is kickstarting 2026 with a broad episode exploring the state of the profession in the UK.

Host Jonny Adamson is joined by BASW Interim Chief Executive, Professor Sam Baron, BASW England Acting Chair, Shantel Thomas, and Professional Officer at the Scottish Association of Social Work, Susan Dobson for a frank discussion on the challenges currently facing social work, their vision for the profession, and BASW’s role within it all given that the professional association is currently holding its own ‘Big Conversation’.

They cover a number of topical issues affecting social workers and wider society – including working conditions, social work’s identity, political activism, adult social care, and the growing hostility caused by the far right.

As well as focusing on the here and now, the guests also make their predictions for the year ahead as they reflect on the question - should we be feeling worried or hopeful?

Overall, this unique episode tees us up perfectly for many of the topics we’re likely to consider in greater depth on the podcast in 2026, while also hopefully sparking important conversations and debate across the social work profession today.

Thanks to James Ede at BeHeard Production for producing the episode: https://www.beheard.org.uk/

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