Moving Social Care (MSC) is an evidence-based education programme designed to encourage and support social workers to have conversations about physical activity with Disabled people and other groups accessing social care. Why does it matter? How have we developed over the years? Read on to find out more!
Why does Moving Social Care Matter?
Research shows that social workers are highly trusted professionals and that Disabled people would welcome conversations about physical activity as part of social work support.
Physical activity can play an important role in:
- Improving wellbeing and mental health
- Reducing loneliness and social isolation
- Supporting independence and community involvement
- Tackling wider health inequalities
- Supporting positive outcomes linked to the Care Act
- Improving overall quality of life
Importantly, physical activity is not limited to sport or structured exercise. Everyday movement such as gardening, walking to the shops, household tasks, or getting up regularly throughout the day can all positively contribute to wellbeing.
Research completed during Phase 1 of the programme identified a clear need to improve social workers’ confidence, skills, and understanding around physical activity conversations. The MSW training programme was developed to respond directly to this need.
The training has since been rigorously tested and evaluated, with both quantitative and qualitative findings demonstrating positive impact.
Phases of development
Phase 1 – Research, discovery and development
Phase 1 focused on building the evidence base for the programme and understanding the role social workers can play in promoting physical activity.
Key activities included:
- Conducting research with social workers, Disabled people, and sector leaders
- Identifying barriers, opportunities, and training needs
- Exploring how physical activity aligns with social work values and practice
- Co-producing programme content with partners and stakeholders
- Designing and testing the initial training offer
This phase established the foundations of the programme and highlighted the need to improve social workers’ knowledge, skills, and confidence around physical activity.
Phase 2 – Training delivery and Evaluation
Phase 2 focused on delivering the training programme and evaluating its impact across the sector.
Key activities included:
- Delivering evidence-based training sessions to social workers and social care professionals
- Providing practical guidance on how to discuss physical activity safely and confidently
- Supporting practitioners to embed physical activity into care planning and everyday conversations
- Evaluating participant experiences, learning outcomes, and behavioural change
- Gathering qualitative and quantitative evidence to strengthen the programme
The evaluation demonstrated that the programme positively improved participants’ confidence and understanding of how physical activity supports wellbeing and social care outcomes.
Phase 3 – Embedding and future growth
Phase 3 focuses on embedding Moving Social Care into wider professional practice, workforce development, and social care systems.
Current and future priorities include:
- Expanding access to the training programme
- Embedding physical activity conversations into everyday social work practice
- Strengthening partnerships across health, social care, and community sectors
- Supporting universities and workforce development pathways
- Continuing research, evaluation, and programme improvement
- Exploring opportunities for national scale and long-term sustainability
The long-term vision is for physical activity and wellbeing conversations to become a recognised and routine part of strengths-based social work practice.
Where are things going?
The Moving Social Care Programme will continue to evolve through collaboration, research, and ongoing engagement with the social work sector.
Future developments may include:
- Wider rollout of the training programme
- Increased collaboration with local authorities, universities, and health partners
- Further development of resources and learning materials
- Continued research into impact and outcomes
- Embedding physical activity more strongly within social work education and practice standards
- Supporting national conversations around prevention, wellbeing, and health inequalities
By supporting social workers to promote movement and wellbeing, the programme aims to improve outcomes for Disabled people, strengthen communities, and contribute to a healthier and more inclusive society.
Strategic Partnerships
The programme works collaboratively with a wide range of national and local partners, including:
- Social Work England
- Disability Rights UK
- Durham University
- Sport England
- British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
- Skills for Care
- Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
- Active Partnerships
- Local authorities, Disabled People’s Organisations, universities, and NHS partners
