Dr Joe Hanley

Professional biography

Dr Joe Hanley is a social worker, lecturer, researcher and author. 

Areas of expertise/research interest include: 

• Social policy networks
• Social policy reforms
• Continuing professional development
• Social work education
• Apprenticeships
• Social work in disasters
• New technologies for professional development
• Social work workforce challenges

Joe's social work practice experience includes both statutory and non-statutory social worker roles, covering adult safeguarding, dual diagnosis, hospital social work, youth work, older people's teams, prisons, and a range of housing/homelessness roles. 

Doctoral thesis: Look Who’s Talking: Social work podcasts as continuing professional development in England (winner VC Prize for Doctoral Research)

Research interests

Joe is a member of the Social Work Research Group. Areas of ongoing research and collaboration include: 

• Social Work Public Perceptions. 
• Children's Services Policy Network Analysis. 
• Professional Qualifying Routes and Ideological Analysis.
• Continuing Professional Development Cross-professional Reforms.
• Coastal Social Work Recruitment and Retention.
• Social Work Podcasts as Continuing Professional Development.
• Social Work in Disasters Continuing Professional Development.

Impact and engagement

Media Publications, Magazines and Blogs

Hanley, J. (2025) ‘Say Goodbye to the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) in England’, Social Workers Union Newsletter, February 2025.

Hanley, J. (2025) The Social Work Public Perception Myth: A Policy Analysis and Implications for Practice, Birmingham: British Association of Social Workers.

Hanley, J. (2025) ‘Will social work be complicit in the death of democracy’, Professional Social Work, January/February, p.31.

Hanley, J. and Rowe, J. (2024) 'The pantomime of professional reform in social work', Transforming Society, December 18.

Hanley, J. (2024) ‘Solving a problem of their own making: Teach First encounters Gen Z’, Yorkshire Bylines, September 27.

Hanley, J. (2024) ‘The Govian Candidate: Josh MacAlister for Whitehaven and Workington’, North West Bylines, June 22.

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Engaging the potential of social workers in disasters’, Resilience: Journal of the Emergency Planning Society, Winter 2023-24.

Hanley, J. and Stratulis, M. (2023) ‘Social work’s vital role in disaster situations’, Department of Health and Social Care, September 5.

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘When it comes to supporting apprentices, talk is cheap’, Yorkshire Bylines, August 31.

Hanley, J. and Sen, R. (2023) ‘Frontline has failed. Their new contract proves it’, Social Workers Union Newsletter, July 2023.

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘The Teach First Effect: quiet takeover of our public sector’, Yorkshire Bylines, June 20.

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Degree Apprenticeships: What education can learn from social work’, Schools Week, March 10.

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Pain and gain of social work apprenticeships’, Professional Social Work, January/February, p.36.

Hanley, J. (2022) ‘Warning about the Early Career Framework’, Social Workers Union Newsletter, December 2022.

Hanley, J. (2022) ‘The rise of the Teach First Empire: Who are Transform Society?’, Guest Blog Christian Kerr, March 2.

Hanley, J. (2021) ‘Network ethnography and the care review’, Social Work 2020-21 under Covid-19, Online Only.

Hanley, J. (2021) ‘Ant-man and the Josh: Superhero Storytelling and Public Policy Reform’, Care Review Watch Alliance, 25 September.

Hanley, J. (2021) ‘Frontline, Firstline and Now Headline… The Plotline Thickens’, Social Workers Union Newsletter, June 2021.

Kerr, C., Hanley, J., Ruane, A. and Sen, R. (2021) ‘Why should social workers be interested in, if not outright concerned about, this Care Review?’, Social Workers Union Newsletter, July 2022.

Hanley, J. (2020) Selling our soul for the best and brightest, Social Work 2020 under Covid-19, Online Only.

Hanley, J. (2019) Launch of the CPD Guidance on Social Work Roles Undertaken During Disasters, BASW, 14 November.

Hanley, J. (2019) ‘We are creating a social work education system where those in greatest need receive the least’, Community Care, 17 October.

Hanley, J. (2019) ‘Stop the separation in social work education’, Professional Social Work, November, p. 29.

Hanley, J. (2019) ‘Book Review: Miseducation: Inequality, Education and the Working Class’, Network: British Sociological Association, Summer, 2019.

Cited in Media

Social Workers Union (2023) ‘Warm words but no action on English social work bursaries’, Social Workers Union, August 31.

British Association of Social Workers (2023) ‘World on the brink - why social workers need disaster training: Interview with Joe Hanley’, Professional Social Work, August 9.

Social Workers Union (2023) ‘Over 400 social work students write to ministers over bursary failures’, Social Workers Union, July 27.

Weinstein, N. (2023) ‘Child protection should be a key driver of asylum response to children’, Community Care, June 24.

Koutsounia, A. (2023) ‘The value of disabled people’s voices and the scale of adult care’s funding shortfall’, Community Care, March 3.

Simpson, F. and Hayes, D. (2023) ‘Care review response: Funding fails to match scale of reforms’, Children and Young People Now, February 28.

Simpson, F. (2023) ‘Care Review Response: New child protection role among measures planned for workforce reform’, Children and Young People Now, February 3.

Naqvi, S. (2022) ‘Whose side is Social Work England on?’, Professional Social Work, November/December 2022.

Simpson, F. (2022) ‘Sector backs Longfield’s call for ‘sure start for teenagers’’, Children and Young People Now, November 7.

Norris, S. (2022) ‘Cost of living crisis piles pressure on children’s homes as gas and energy bills soar’, Byline Times, 27^th October.

British Association of Social Workers (2022) ‘Regulator issues standards for qualifying social workers’, Professional Social Work, July/August 2022.

Hayes, D. (2022) ‘Care Review: Key proposals for the children’s services workforce’, Children and Young People Now, June 1.

Quarmby, K. and Norris, S. (2022) ‘Children’s Social Care Cannot be reformed without Recognising the Impact of Poverty and Austerity’, Byline Times, 25^th May.

Pierro, L. (2022) ‘Higher fast-track funding costing courses students and placements, claim education leaders’, Community Care, 3^rd March.

Lepper, J. (2021) ‘Most influential figures in children’s services policy revealed’, Children and Young People Now, 23^rd December.

Quarmby, K. (2021) ‘The Influential Figures Dictating Children’s Social Care Policy’, Byline Times, 21^st December.

Quarmby, K. (2021) ‘Public Service, Private Interests: What is Behind the Government’s Care Review?’, Byline Times, 18^th October.

Simpson, F. (2021) ‘Social workers criticise care review to avoid ‘blame culture’’, Children and Young People Now, 21^st June.

Social Work Today (2021) ‘Care Review Chair criticises “runaway train” of child protection investigations’, Social Work Today, 11^th June.

Professional Social Work (2020) ‘29% of Frontline graduates not in social work three years on’, Professional Social Work, September, p.8.

Turner, A. (2019) ‘Focus on socio-economic rights and avoid stigma to tackle poverty, BASW guide urges social workers’, Community Care, 6 September.

Presentations, Papers and Podcast Guest Appearances

Hanley, J. (2025) ‘Doctorate in Education: Social Work Podcasts’ (invited), Research in Practice Peer Learning Exchange Group (RIPPLE) (28^th February).

Hanley, J. (2024) ‘The social work public perception myth: A genealogy of discourse’ (invited), Department of Social Work and Social Policy Seminar, University of Strathclyde (29^th November).

Wallengren Lynch, M. (2024) ‘Social Work Education in UK’, [Audio podcast episode], Social Work Education Podcast (30^th Oct).  

Hanley, J. (2024) ‘Social work podcasts: Challenging or embedding power dynamics’, Joint University Social Work Association Annual Conference, Kingston University (28^th June).

Hanley, J. (2024) ‘The social work public perception myth: A genealogy of discourse’ (invited), Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit Contemporary Issues Webinar, Kings College London. (16^th April).

Jones, D. and Hanley, J. (2024) ‘Social Work Professional Organisations in the UK’, Social Work Professional Organisations Webinar (25^th March).

Hanley, J. (2024) ‘Look who’s talking: Professional podcasts as an educational resource’ (Keynote), Annual All England Employer Event, The Open University, (14^th March).

Hanley, J. (2024) ‘Look who’s talking: Professional podcasts as an educational resource’ (Keynote), London and Southeast Employer Event, The Open University, (8^th February).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Networks of disdain and hope’ (invited), After the crisis: What’s next for teacher education policy in England (panel discussion), University College London (16^th December).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘The Rise of the Teach First Empire and the Fall of England’s Professions’ (invited), Teaching Education and Professional Learning, University of Manchester (6^th December).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Social work in Disasters: A free online CPD course’, Social Work in Disasters Conference, British Association of Social Workers (16^th November).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘A recipe for disaster informed social work training’ (invited), Emergency Planning Society Annual Conference, Mercure Manchester Piccadilly (8^th November). 

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Look who’s talking now: Professional podcasts as an educational resource’, Social Work Research Group Seminar Series, Open University (7^th November).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Social work in disasters training modules employer engagement event’, British Association of Social Workers, (3^rd October).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Social work in disasters training modules practitioner engagement event’, British Association of Social Workers, (3^rd October).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Social work in disasters training modules launch event’, British Association of Social Workers, (8^th September).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Look who’s talking now: Professional podcasts as an educational resource’, Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Research and Scholarship Session, (6^th September).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Look who’s talking now: Professional podcasts as an educational resource’, Health, Wellbeing and Social Care Research and Scholarship Session, (6^th September).

McClenaghan, A., Hanley, J., Smith, S. and Bentick, P. (2023) ‘Live recording of Let’s Talk Social Work Podcast’ (invited), British Association of Social Workers National Conference Fringe Event, Birmingham Aston University (12^th June).

Sen, R. and Kerr, C. (2023) ‘Future of Children’s Care – Episode 5’ [Audio podcast episode], Future of Children’s Care Podcast, Future of Children’s Social Care (29^th May).

Hanley, J. (2023) ‘Social workers are disaster responders, but where is the training: A CPD pilot study’, Social Work Research Group, Open University (25^th May).

McClenaghan (2023) ‘Stable Homes, Built on Air’ [Audio podcast episode] in Let’s Talk Social Work, British Association of Social Workers (24^th February).

Mordue, S., Scorer, J. and Bull, G. (2022) ‘The Christmas Special!’ [Audio podcast episode], in Social Work Shorts Podcast, Social Work Shorts (19^th December).

Hanley, J. (2022) ‘Teach First, Transform Society and Policy Networks in England’, CERES Seminar (invited), Liverpool John Moores University (19^th October).

Hanley, J. and Kerr, C. (2022) ‘Same Game, Same Players, Different Fields: Social Work Education in Crisis’ (Keynote), Teacher Education in Crisis Seminar, Liverpool John Moores University (6^th September)

Hanley, J. (2022) ‘Social Work Podcasts: Evoking through joking’ (Poster Presentation), Brunel Education Research Conference, (27^th July).

Hanley, J. (2021) ‘Social Work Podcasts’, Staff Student Education Conference, Brunel University London (28^th July).

Hanley, J. (2021) ‘The Good the Bad and the Ugly: What student recruitment says about the social work profession’, Joint Social Work Research and Education Conference (JSWEC), (9^th July). 

Hanley, J. (2021) ‘Research Dissemination on a Doctoral Programme’, Research Dissemination on a Doctoral Programme (invited), Brunel University London (7^th July).

Hanley, J. (2021) ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: What student recruitment says about the social work profession’, Recruitment and Retention in Social Work, Nottingham Trent University (Invited Speaker) (8^th June)

Hanley, J. and McGrath-Brookes, M. (2021) ‘Dismantling the Blueprint’, Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit Contemporary Issues Webinar, Kings College London, (Invited Speaker). (27^th April).

Hanley, J. (2020) ‘Podcasts for Social Work CPD (Poster presentation)’, Staff Student Education Conference, Brunel University London (24^th July).

Hanley, J. (2019) ‘The ‘Quality’ of Social Work Students: A Genealogy of Discourse 2002-2018’, Society for Research into Higher Education Newer and Early Career Researcher Conference, Coldra Court Hotel, Newport (10^th December).

Hanley, J. (2019) ‘Continuous Professional Development for Social Workers in Disasters’, Social Work in Disasters Conference, BASW Birmingham (2^nd December) (Invitation Speaker)

Hanley, J. (2019) ‘An exploratory study examining the perceptions of social work students of those qualifying through alternative pathways’, Staff Student Education Conference, Brunel University London (31^st July).

Hanley, J. (2019) ‘A Grassroots approach to Interprofessional Education’, College Education Day, Brunel University London (3^rd July).

Hanley, J. (2019) ‘Taking Back Control: The Power of Practitioner Enquiry’, Teach Brunel Forum, Brunel University London (17^th June).

Hanley, J. (2017) ‘Social Work and Comedy (Introduction)’, Comedy in Care: The Funny Side of Social Work, Brunel University London (21^st March).

External collaborations

Joe's ongoing research collaborators include: British Association of Social Workers, University of Stirling, University of Greenwich, Durham University, Bath Spa University, Buckinghamshire New University and Edge Hill University.

Joe is a member of:

• MENSA
• British Association of Social Workers
• Society for Research into Higher Education
• External Examiner University of Central Lancashire
• Social Work History Network Steering Group
• Social Workers Union
• Registered Social Worker with Social Work England
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA)
• Joint University Committee Social Work Education Council OU representative
• Peer reviewer for a number of academic journals and book publishers, including Social Work Education, British Journal of Social Work, Critical and Radical Social Work, Practice and Policy Press.