Reflections from the 2025 Association of Directors of Children’s Services Annual Conference
Published:
In a new blog, PCFSW Network Co-Chair, Tapiwa Julius, shares her reflections from the recent ADCS Annual Conference.
On Thursday 10 July, I was privileged to join the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) conference to speak on diversity, equity and inclusion and the PSW Networks influence on leadership.
I was really proud to share the amazing work that colleagues do across the country and the multiple hats that they wear as ambassadors of social work. I used some African proverbs to privilege my heritage as part of storytelling
In this blog, I have outlined some of the key points I shared:
Working together to promote diversity, equity and inclusion
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
The PSW Network embodies this philosophy as we have a diverse group of colleagues whose collective efforts and diverse perspectives support meaningful change. We collaborate with key stakeholders including Chief Social Worker for Children, Department for Education (DfE), the British Association of Social Workers, and Social Work England amongst many other statutory and voluntary stakeholders.
We share a number of priorities with our Adult PSW Network colleagues; workforce, transitions, and anti-racism as we are ‘one profession’.
Upholding the integrity of our profession by championing diversity, equity and inclusion promotes social justice, helps to confront and resolve issues of inequality and inclusion.
Some examples of how we've collaborated with leaders to embed diversity, equity and inclusion include:
- Amplifying the voices of people with lived and professional experiences of receiving care with Dandelions in Telford and Wrekin.
- Co-production of services with people with lived experience.
- Championing care as a protected characteristic.
- Working with children with disabilities in Southend Neurodivergent Support Pack.
- National Transitional Safeguarding conference.
- Eastern Region ADASS/ADCS.
- Anti-racism conferences.
- Embedding the ROMA model in Leeds.
- Anti-racist practice models in Essex and Hackney.
- Eastern Region Anti-Racist Pledge and Leadership forum.
- Engaging with the DfE to support Minister Daby's strategic priorities for the workforce.
- Engaging in the Social Care Workforce Race Equality Standard.
- Advocating and leading workforce peer support group, including groups for Global Majority, neurodiverse, and disabled colleagues and those who identify as LGBTQ+.
Embedding meaningful change
If the rhythm of the drum changes, the dance must also change.
As the call for equity and justice grows louder, so too must our systems evolve to respond with humility, courage and meaningful change. There is a need to lead with love where we listen and change the dance to meet the needs.
Positioning and centring allyship is core to addressing anti-discrimination, anti-oppressive and anti-racism.
Creating brave spaces for courageous conversations
When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.
By embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our leadership roots through action, allyship and accountability we can build stronger and more equitable systems for children, families, communities and our workforce colleagues.
Post-conference reflections
To enable us to continue to showcase the work that we are doing within the PSW Network, we’ve recently written to the Regional Chairs to request regional updates so that we can capture that work that is being done across the country. We hope to hear back from them soon.
I want to end by thanking all PSWs for your continued dedication and commitment. Your leadership and advocacy make a real difference in our systems and in the lives of children, families, and communities.
Let’s continue to support each other and embed equity, diversity, and inclusion in all we do. We appreciate your ongoing efforts and look forward to showcasing the great work happening across our network.