What role can social workers and social care practitioners play in supporting Disabled people to access movement, sport and physical activity? And how can we move beyond simply encouraging people to be active, towards addressing the barriers that prevent participation in the first place?
These are some of the questions explored in a recent episode of the British Association of Social Workers’ (BASW) podcast, Let’s Talk Social Work podcast, bringing together three people with different but complementary perspectives on the Moving Social Care programme: Amarjit Randhawa, Programme Manager at Disability Rights UK; Rachel Hill, a member of Disability Rights UK’s Co-Production Group and lived experience advisor; and Cat Clements, Head of Disability at Sport England.
The conversation explores why movement, and physical activity should be part of everyday social care practice, and why social workers are uniquely placed to help make this happen.
For many Disabled people, barriers to being active extend far beyond the availability of sporting opportunities. Inaccessible environments, transport, financial pressures, lack of support and assumptions about disability can all affect whether someone is able to participate. As Rachel highlights during the discussion, even getting through the door of a gym or unfamiliar activity can present significant challenges. These experiences reinforce why conversations about physical activity must start with the individual, understanding what matters to them and what might be getting in the way.
The Moving Social Care programme aims to support this shift in practice. It is an evidence-informed workforce development programme, co-produced with Disabled people, which equips social workers and social care practitioners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to incorporate conversations about movement and physical activity into their everyday work.
The importance of co-production and partnership
A key theme throughout the podcast is the importance of bringing together lived experience, professional practice and strategic investment.
Co-production has been central to the development of the programme, ensuring that Disabled people’s experiences, perspectives and priorities shape its direction. Rachel’s contribution highlights why this is so important: understanding the barriers people face requires listening to those who experience them, rather than making assumptions about what support or opportunities they need.
The discussion also explores the importance of Sport England’s investment and the wider partnership approach needed to create sustainable change. Embedding movement and physical activity within social care requires collaboration across sectors, alongside a recognition that supporting Disabled people to be active is not the responsibility of one service or organisation alone.
Changing the conversation
Ultimately, the programme is about creating a cultural and practical shift in how movement and physical activity are understood within social care.
It is about recognising movement as an opportunity, not an expectation, and ensuring Disabled people have the choice, support and opportunities to participate in ways that are meaningful to them.
We hope this podcast encourages social workers, social care practitioners, commissioners and colleagues across the wider health and physical activity sectors to reflect on the role they can play in making this happen.
Listen to the podcast
Join Amarjit, Rachel and Cat for this important conversation on the Let’s Talk Social Work podcast.
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DAsuZvA2xubvG2tKg5tdc
Find out more about the Moving Social Care programme by clicking here.
