The Portal Podcast: Linking Research and Practice for Social Work

In this episode of The Portal Podcast, Professor Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon speak with Jenni Guthrie about her work exploring the experiences of autistic and neurodivergent social workers and students. Jenni shares insight into the lack of research in this area, the challenges autistic professionals face in social work, and the strengths they bring to the profession.She discusses her completed collaborative autoethnography project co-created with neurodivergent students and newly qualified social workers, which examined the value of safe, neuro-affirming community spaces. Key findings highlighted the importance of organisational support, neurodivergent facilitators, and recognition of the impact of ableism, racism, and the conflation of both.The conversation also explores the stigma connecting autism with “risk,” the barriers of diagnosis as privilege, and the compounded challenges of autistic burnout versus social work burnout. Jenni calls for regulators and organisations to actively welcome neurodivergent practitioners and invest in research, training, and safe spaces.For more information about the episode, including a glossary of key terms and concepts, links to resoures mentioned in the conversation, and a transcript of the episode, please click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Portal Podcast, Professor Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon speak with Professor Hanna Bertilsdotter Rosqvist, a Swedish sociologist and social work professor, activist, and member of the autistic community. Hanna shares her journey from queer studies and community activism into autism research, including her own “community assessment” and self-identification as autistic.The discussion explores how lived experience challenges dominant, deficit-based narratives of autism, advocating for a reframing grounded in embodiment, sensory experience, and the development of new, more nuanced language. Key concepts such as the “double empathy problem” and “triple empathy problem” are explained through relatable metaphors. Hanna emphasises the intertwined nature of her activism and research, the importance of recognising neurodivergent professionals in social work, and the value of “translators” between neurotypical and neurodivergent communication styles.The conversation also touches on neurodivergent sexuality, the need to move beyond neurotypical and heteronormative frameworks, and how insights from communities such as BDSM can broaden understanding of sensory pleasures and pacing in intimate relationships. Practical recommendations for social workers include recognising neurodivergent people as a language minority, allowing for processing time, and creating accessible spaces that work for the individual.For more information about the episode, including a glossary of key terms and concepts, links to resoures mentioned in the conversation, and a transcript of the episode, please click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Portal Podcast, hosts Professor Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon speak with Dr Laura Lennuyeux-Comnene and Professor Rebecca Charlton from Goldsmiths, University of London, about the COAST Project – Co-designing Autism Social Work Training. The project focuses on collaborating with older autistic adults, social workers, and social care providers to create training that supports social workers in working more effectively with autistic people aged 50+.The discussion covers the researchers’ journeys into this field, the importance of co-production in training design, and the challenges faced by older autistic adults, including late diagnosis, systemic barriers in social care, and the intersection of autism with ageing. The guests reflect on the difficulties in reaching diverse participants, the need for social workers to reframe existing skills with confidence, and the importance of recognising each autistic person’s unique lived experience. The conversation also touches on intersectionality, intergenerational dynamics, and structural changes that could improve service access.Listeners will gain insights into the realities of ageing and autism, the gaps in current social work practice, and practical steps for creating inclusive, needs-led support.For more information about the episode, including a glossary of key terms and concepts, links to resources mentioned in the conversation, and a transcript of the episode, please click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Portal Podcast, Professor Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon speak with writer and author Alice Running about the systemic issue of parent-carer blame in autism and SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) services. Drawing on her lived experience as an autistic mother of neurodivergent children, Alice explains how she has repeatedly encountered damaging narratives from professionals, ranging from assumptions about her parenting to misinterpretations of her children’s needs.Alice discusses her research collaboration with parent advocate Danielle Jata-Hall, which surveyed over 1,000 parent carers across the UK, exposing a widespread culture of blame. She highlights how generic, non-individualised interventions, which are often based on neurotypical benchmarks, fail autistic and PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance/Pervasive Drive for Autonomy) children, and how inappropriate support can create distress while parents are blamed for “non-compliance.”The conversation explores the biases faced by lone parents and neurodivergent parents, the harmful conflation of disability provision and safeguarding, and the importance of autistic-informed practice, genuine listening, and professional curiosity. Alice also offers practical suggestions for change, including separating safeguarding from provision, adopting a cultural lens to assess autistic families, improving accountability, and increasing professional training.For more information about the episode, including a glossary of key terms and concepts, links to resoures mentioned in the conversation, and a transcript of the episode, please click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Portal Podcast, hosts Professor Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon speak with Dr Amy Pearson, a developmental psychologist at Durham University’s Centre for Neurodiversity and Development. Amy shares her research journey from a traditional, deficit-based view of autism to a neurodiversity-affirming perspective, informed by both her professional work and personal experience as a late-diagnosed autistic woman.The conversation explores how autism has historically been defined, critiquing outdated concepts such as the “triad of impairments” and gendered interpretations like the “extreme male brain” theory. Amy discusses how the deficit model still dominates many services, despite pockets of progress, and emphasises the need for co-designed, up-to-date training led by neurodivergent people.A substantial part of the episode focuses on Amy’s “Mate Crime” research, which examines the victimisation of autistic people by those they know, including friends, romantic partners, and family members. She explains how compliance-based interventions can unintentionally teach autistic people to override their own boundaries, increasing vulnerability to abuse. The discussion highlights issues such as poly-victimisation, normalisation of violence, structural barriers to accessing support, and the need for accessible relationship education.Other topics covered include the dominance of autism within neurodiversity discourse, broad versus narrow definitions of the term “neurodivergent”, the links between autism and eating disorders, misdiagnosis of conditions such as Borderline/ Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, and the societal challenges facing neurodivergent people today. The episode closes with a vision for a more inclusive society and the importance of small, incremental changes in shifting systems and attitudes.For more information about the episode, including a glossary of key terms and concepts, links to resoures mentioned in the conversation, and a transcript of the episode, please click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Professor Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon speak with experienced independent social worker Cathie Long about her professional and personal journey in the field of neurodiversity, and her research into the contentious and deeply impactful issue of Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII).Cathie shares how her work with autistic and ADHD individuals evolved from her early career in child protection and mental health, alongside her own later-life diagnosis of autism and ADHD. The conversation explores the frequent misdiagnosis of autistic women with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (formerly Borderline Personality Disorder), the stigma that follows such labels, and the critical need for practitioners to challenge assumptions and see the person beyond the diagnosis.This conversation is an important listen for social workers, health professionals, and anyone interested in neurodiversity, safeguarding, and systemic change in practice.For more information about the episode, including a glossary of key terms and concepts, links to resoures mentioned in the conversation, and a transcript of the episode, please click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Portal Podcast, hosts Professor Sarah Lonbay and Dr Lesley Deacon introduce Series 4, which focuses on the intersection of neurodiversity and social work practice. Over the series, they speak to six guests whose research and lived experiences shed light on important and often misunderstood issues facing neurodivergent individuals, their families, and professionals working in the field. Lesley and Sarah outline each upcoming episode, giving listeners a preview of the topics explored. The conversations range from the challenges autistic mothers face within child protection systems, to reframing autism through lived experience, to understanding autistic burnout in social workers themselves.For more information about the episode, including a glossary of key terms and concepts, links to resoures mentioned in the conversation, and a transcript of the episode, please click here: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley reflect upon and chat about Season 3 of The Portal Podcast. We consider some of the key threads that have run through each of the conversations and reflect on the key messages for practice.Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley spoke with Sigrid Mairhofer about her research exploring social work with older people in rural and urban areas of Germany. We learned about how social work operates in Germany, as well as some of the challenges social workers face in supporting older people. About our guest:Sigrid Mairhofer is a Professor of Community and Organisational Development at the Munich University of Applied Sciences.Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we spoke to Sally Nieman who has undertaken research to explore the role of social work in care homes. Sally spoke to us about the intersection of social work and care homes, how social workers support older people in these settings, and some of the challenges that social workers experience in these roles. Key learning and recommendations for social workers were also discussed.  About our guest:Sally Nieman is a social worker in adult social care and a social work education lead. Sally, at the time of recording, was also finishing her PhD at the University of Suffolk.Further Information:You can find more information about Sally’s work by clicking on the following:Shining a Light on Social Work with Older People in Care HomesRevisioning social work with older people living in a care home: Promoting rights and reducing control.Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley spoke with Alisoun Milne about family carers and older people. We discussed ageing and mental health, the impact of caring, the need to challenge existing narratives around family carers, and much more besides.  About our guest:Alisoun Milne is an Emeritus Professor in Social Gerontology and Social Work at the University of Kent. Before becoming an academic, Alisoun worked as a social worker and team manager in two local authorities in London for 7 years.Further Information:Within the podcast a number of publications were mentioned. Please see below for links to these and to find out more about Alisoun’s work on family caring.Milne, A., & Larkin, M. (2023). Family Carers and Caring: What it’s all about. Emerald.Milne, Alisoun (2020) Mental Health in Later Life: Taking a Life Course Approach. Policy Press, Bristol.To view all of Alisoun Milne’s publications please visit this link: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/view/email/a=2Ej=2Emilne=40kent=2Eac=2Euk.html#group_bookAlso mentioned was Lesley’s paper, “A Neoliberalist solution for a neoliberalist problem: The neoliberalist normalization of psycho-social support for parent-carers”. Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak with Carrie Phillips about her research into hospital social work. Carrie talks about the key learning from her work, including the number of social workers employed in these roles, their day to day work, and some of the challenges that they experience when working with older people in a hospital setting. About our guest:Carrie Phillips is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Sunderland. Before joining the university Carrie practiced in statutory social work with adults for over 12 years.Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley spoke with Nick Andrews about social work research with older people and the value of story telling. Nick shared learning from his extensive work including discussing relationships and professional boundaries, ‘undercover’ kindness, outcomes-focused and holistic practice, and much more.About our guest:Nick Andrews is a registered social worker and Research Officer at Swansea University with many years’ experience in social work, social care, and social education across children and adult services. Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley spoke with Gerry Nosowska and Professor Paul Willis about their research on social work with older people. The ‘Social Work with Older People’ research explored the contribution of social workers to older people’s well-being and in this episode our guests shared some of the key learning and recommendations from the work.About our guests:Gerry Nosowska is Chair of the British Association of Social Workers and an associate of Research in Practice, and is co-host of the popular Helpful Social Work podcast.Paul Willis is a Professor of Adult Social Care, a registered social worker and the inaugural Director of CARE – the Centre for Adult Social Care Research, based at Cardiff University.Further Information:For more information about the Social Work with Older People research please visit the website: https://swopresearch.wordpress.com/Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Sarah and Lesley introduce season three of the Portal Podcast. This series we have focused on social work with older people and were joined by guests who are all researching this area of social work practice. This episode introduces our guests with a brief overview of the conversations we had with each of them.Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley reflect upon and chat about Season 2 of The Portal Podcast. We consider some of the key threads that have run through each of the conversations and reflect on the key messages for practice.Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music here).Production and editing by Paperghosts.The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Dr Sarah Lonbay (University of Sunderland) swapped roles to become a guest on the podcast and Dr Angie Wilcock stepped in, to co-host with Lesley. The episode explores research that was undertaken by Sarah and Dr Carole Southall (Northumbria University) in relation to domestic abuse in the older population. The podcast discussion explores some of the complexities of abuse in later life, as well as key messages for social workers.  Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Within the episode, reference is made to the following: A paper published by Sarah and Carole about this research on domestic abuse and older people, titled ‘Identifying and responding to domestic abuse in the older population: key challenges and complexities’.  Another paper published by Sarah and Carole which explored ‘Social workers’ of the liminal space between personalisation policy and practice’.  The Care Act 2014. Some published research which explored the changing nature of domestic abuse across the life course: Band-Winterstein, T., & Eisikovits, Z. (2009). ‘Aging out’ of violence: The multiple faces of intimate violence over the life span. Qualitative Health Research, 19(2), 164–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732308329305  A film titled ‘Eggshells’ which was produced by Made by Mortals: Behind the scenes of short film ‘Eggshells’. You can find the film on Youtube: Eggshells. The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music on SoundCloud).Production and editing by Paperghosts.The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak with Dr Louise Harvey-Golding and Carrie Phillips (both University of Sunderland) about their research exploring the experiences of Eastern European women. Whilst the research did not set out to explore domestic abuse, it came up as an important area of concern, particularly in relation to a lack of access to services for Eastern European women. In this episode, Louise and Carrie talk to us about their research findings and recommendations for practice. Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ You can read more about their overall work via their two research reports. You can access part one here: ‘A survey for Eastern European women’ and part two here: ‘An exploration of discrimination experienced by Eastern European Women’: https://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/14580/In the episode they also make reference to their project partners, ICOS, which stands for International Community Organisation of Sunderland. The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music here).Production and editing by Paperghosts.The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Lesley and Sarah speak with Dr. Angie Wilcock (University of Sunderland) about two areas of research. The first was about help seeking in response to domestic abuse. The second area was about the experiences of Thai women living in the UK in relation to domestic abuse.  Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ Within the conversation, Angie makes reference to a number of writers, as noted below. Professor Liz Stanley and Professor Sue Wises’s work, particularly in relation to consciousness raising. Professor Martin Denscombe’s work on research practice. Kristin Blakely’s work on the role of emotion in feminist research. Girl Guiding and their work on safeguarding and domestic abuse. The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music here).Production and editing by Paperghosts.The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Sarah and Lesley speak to Dr Sarah Martin-Denham (University of Sunderland) about her research on domestic abuse. The conversation covers emotionality and safe practice in research and practice, stigma and labels, support and education. Sarah’s work explored services for male perpetrators of domestic abuse, as well as services for women who had been victims/survivors of domestic abuse and uncovers some important messages for social workers which are discussed in the podcast episode.  Transcripts are available on the Portal Podcast Website: https://wp.sunderland.ac.uk/portal-podcast/ The music is called “Together We’re Stronger” by All Music Seven (All7 Studios) (you can listen to their music here).Production and editing by Paperghosts.The Portal Podcast is funded by the University of Sunderland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.