Delegates and speakers who attended the
event
On Friday, the Derry/Londonderry campus hosted a first-of-its-kind event to bring together internat
experts, frontline social workers and representatives from all Northern Ireland Health Trusts in orde
discuss safe staffing in social work.
At a time when the issue of staffing levels across the health and social care sector is making the
headlines, this important initiative brought key stakeholders together to explore different ways of
thinking about what safe staffing means in practice.
The event was led by Dr Paula McFadden, Senior Lecturer in Social Work from the School of Applie
Social and Policy Sciences, as part of innovative policy development research funded by the Office
Social Services and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.
The project has been commissioned by the Chief Social Worker for Northern Ireland, Aine Morrison,
preparation for Safe Staffing in Social Work becoming a legal requirement in Northern Ireland and
involves children's, older people and mental health social work services. Dr Paula McFadden design
the methodology to be applied to meet the goals of policy development, in preparation for policy
guidance which will respond to the legal developments ahead.
News Article for your information
SAFE STAFFING EVENT at MAGEE ULSTER UNIVERSITY
International perspectives on safe staffing in social work at Derry/Londonderry campus,
Ulster University
International speakers also contributed to the
knowledge exchange, including Professor Timo
Harrikari (Finland) and Dr Austin Griffiths, (USA).
Safe Staffing in Social Work is already law in
Finland and in a number of American States, so
this was an extremely valuable aspect of the
proceedings. Attendees reported positive
evaluations of the day, including useful models
which will inform approaches to risk
management of workload demands on staff.