Emeritus Prof of Social Work, University of East Anglia. Views expressed my own. Retweets don't necessary signal agreement.

Norwich
Joined March 2012
June Thoburn retweeted
Many will have noticed this week the government's review of care leavers deaths. It has rightly generated a lot of media and social media discussion and comment on this important issue. Here is our response to the review: careleavers.com/response-to-…
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June Thoburn retweeted
This is the only magazine (as far as I know) that is written and produced entirely by people who grew up in the UK care system. It is a space for our writing that is controlled entirely by us. It can, though, be read by anybody. Feel free to dive in...
We’re delighted to share the latest edition of Care Leavers Connected. This issue brings together the voices, stories and creativity of care-experienced people from across our community. conversations, connection and reflection. Read it here: issuu.com/careleaversconnect…
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June Thoburn retweeted
This photo takes me right back. Working as a home carer for Stockport Council. It was my first proper job. A special job. But one of the toughest I've ever done. I know what it’s like to wash someone, cook for them, and make time to actually listen to them before rushing off to the next call with the clock ticking. I know how it feels to graft hard day and night doing tough, physical shifts for wages I struggled to get by on. That's why I've always fought for a fairer deal for social care. And I'm proud we started laying the foundations for change through the Employment Rights Act with the framework for the first ever fair pay agreement for adult social care workers. But that’s also why the Prime Minister's announcement today matters so much. A National Care Service could be genuinely transformative. For decades, governments have kicked this issue down the road because they have seen it as too risky, too difficult and too complicated. That changes today.
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This day in social work history⏳ 6th May 1937: Paul Stephenson (1937-2024) born in Rochford, Essex. Dr Stephenson was known for being the first black social worker in Bristol, and for his civil rights campaigning, including leading the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.
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June Thoburn retweeted
Professional in housing scams…
Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home. That’s why I’m so proud that our Labour government is building council homes, while protecting renters from unfair eviction and unaffordable rent increases. Vote Labour this 7 May so we can keep building together 🌹
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June Thoburn retweeted
Well well well, Angela Rayner. How very noble of you to stand there and declare that "everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home," while your government's policies have done more to drive landlords out of the rental market than any administration in recent memory. You speak of protecting renters from unfair eviction and unaffordable rent increases with the sincerity of a woman who has spent years lecturing the rest of us on fairness, all while your own rather creative approach to council tax and capital gains has raised more than a few eyebrows. How very revealing. You and your colleagues promised to build 1.5 million homes. What you have actually delivered so far is a trickle of council houses so small it would be embarrassing if it were not so predictable. Meanwhile, thousands of private landlords are selling up every month because your Renters' Rights Act has made letting property such an unattractive prospect that many have simply decided it is no longer worth the risk. The result? Fewer homes available, higher rents, and the very people you claim to be helping finding it harder than ever to secure a roof over their heads. But do carry on. Stand there in your expensive clothes, funded in no small part by the British taxpayer, and tell us all how proud you are of this great Labour housing revolution. Just try not to trip over the growing number of "For Sale" signs outside former rental properties as you do so. You absolute, rancid establishment hypocrite of a woman. Whatever next? Britain First. No Surrender. 🦁🇬🇧
Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home. That’s why I’m so proud that our Labour government is building council homes, while protecting renters from unfair eviction and unaffordable rent increases. Vote Labour this 7 May so we can keep building together 🌹
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June Thoburn retweeted
You can’t trust Reform UK with our NHS. Nigel Farage would make working people like you pay the price to access the healthcare you and your family need. Vote Labour May 7 to protect the NHS – and make sure it’s there for all of us. 🌹
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June Thoburn retweeted
My pleasure to welcome @Keir_Starmer @AndyBurnhamGM and @bphillipsonMP to Holy Trinity primary school in Ashton this morning. 33 new free breakfast clubs will open across Greater Manchester this week, giving 10,000 more children a free, healthy start to the school day. That’s Labour on your side. 🌹
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June Thoburn retweeted
My Care Story: 'My foster parents were my family - even when the system didn’t see it' - Community Care communitycare.co.uk/content/…
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Social work history, values and global leadership. @ifsw recognises our network's "important role in connecting past struggles, achievements, and ethical foundations with contemporary and future social work practice. ifsw.org/social-work-history…
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Let’s be absolutely clear with the Chancellor. We do not need an “overhaul” of the 2 child limit. We need it scrapped. There are many other policy changes that are needed to end child poverty but this is the most effective first step. Stop prevaricating. theguardian.com/society/2025…
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This Labour government is determined to drive a transformational and lasting change in the safety and quality of social housing. Awaab’s Law will empower social tenants to hold their landlords to account and I'm extremely proud that we are bringing it into force today.
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Promise made, promise delivered. Labour’s transformational Renters’ Rights Bill has received Royal Assent, meaning it is now law. Proud to have introduced legislation to improve the lives of millions of renters across the country with the protections and security they deserve.
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Interesting to look back at this article from 2019 when Social Work England launched & the CEO argued their novel approach to Fitness to Practice could prevent fee rises. Fast forward to 2025 & persistent failures in this area now being used to justify fee rises #fromthearchives
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In honour of Halloween, I'm conjuring up this 2020 (open access) article where we analysed the role of 'hauntology' 💀in neoliberalism and social work. Beware: the ghosts of policies past still linger… 🪦🧌👻 journals.sagepub.com/doi/ful…
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SWU and @BASW_UK have launched a new Cross Party Group to focus on social work issues at Westminster. This first meeting introduced MPs and Peers to our major campaign to tackle poor working conditions in the social work profession: swu-union.org.uk/2025/10/swu…
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Backbench or frontbench, elected office is not about us, but our chance to change the lives of others for the better. From wherever I sit on these benches, I will fight with everything I have to do exactly that.
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Powerful speech from @AngelaRayner She reminds us of the power of progressive politics to change lives, like it did for her. She will continue to be a very strong voice for Labour. I’ve felt so much love for Ange in our movement these last few weeks ❤️
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With 4 in 10 children aged 16-17 now in care-less accommodation, the government’s assertion that it only be used in “exceptional circumstances” couldn’t be further from the truth. Read about our open letter to @JoshMacAlister ⬇️. #KeepCaringto18 cypnow.co.uk/content/news/ch…
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