History
In 2021-22 SWOTT Toolkits were piloted in South Yorkshire via a proof-of-concept study, funded by the Department for Education. In a subsequent project in 2022-23, Sheffield City Council’s Adults Social Care adopted two of the toolkits as part of an initiative to change their administrative supervision model to embed critical reflective supervision. Our evaluation of the Sheffield City Council project found that SWOTT toolkits were viewed as integral to enabling this practical and culture shift to embedding critical reflective practice.
Since the pilot we have been developing the service and expanding across the UK. We remain not-for-profit and committed to keeping our costs low.
People
Professor Michaela Rogers
SWOTT is the brainchild of Professor Michaela Rogers. Before entering academia, Michaela enjoyed many years in social work and social care practice working in both the statutory and voluntary sectors. For the most part, Michaela’s career in practice was spent working in the field of domestic violence and abuse, but she also worked in child protection, foster care, and community development. Her work lies at the intersection of gender-based violence, marginalisation, help-seeking and social care. With her extensive experience of working in social work she is keenly aware of the multiple pressures on practice and the need for effective, affordable continuing professional development.
Dr Claire Cunnington
Day to day running of SWOTT falls to Dr Claire Cunnington. Previously working in the health, education and charity sectors Claire is committed to ensuring that research feeds through into practice improvement. Her research interests are trauma and interpersonal violence, with a particular focus on childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and lived experience.
Toolkit Creators
Our toolkit creators are experts in their area and committed to improving practice. We have toolkits created/co-created by health and social care researchers, people with lived experience and professionals.
Quality Assurance Panel
An essential part of SWOTT toolkit production is our Quality Assurance Panel. It is chaired by Steve Myers. He is a registered social worker with a background in child protection and youth justice as well as vice-chair of the Association of Child Protection Professionals. Steve has worked as a social worker in both statutory and voluntary organisations and been involved with the education of social workers in Higher Education for the past 25 years, including leadership roles. Steve has researched and written about strengths-based and solution focused practice, working with violent behaviour including sexual violence and assessment in social work practice.
Our panel consists of social work representatives and people with lived experience of social work. They quality check every toolkit before it is released, ensuring that they are produced to the highest standards.