Clare Winnicott Essay Awards 2018

The 2018 awards are open for submissions. We invite Students and Practitioners to submit essays showing emotional and intellectual sophistication, informed by psychodynamic, systemic, or relationship-based theory, relating to any area of social work. The winning essays will be published in the Journal of Social Work Practice, winners will receive £300.

Video Presentations from 2017 Conference

Videos of the full presentations given by Ruth Allen and Brigid Featherstone are available in our News section.

The aim of GAPS

Gaps promotes therapeutic and relationship-based practice, and the importance of psychodynamic and systemic thinking in social work. These perspectives are central to the editorial policy of the Journal of Social Work Practice, which is owned by GAPS.

How is GAPS funded?

From our ownership of the Journal of Social Work Practice, GAPS receives a modest annual income which we use to fund activities for front-line social work practitioners and managers – such as one-day workshops and seminars, as well as our annual essay award for social work practitioners and students.

2017 National Conference

"Strengthening Relationships as Resilience" - Cardiff 24th November
Our National Conference was in Cardiff this year. We had two dynamic speakers; Ruth Allen and Brigid Featherstone, each followed by lively discussion groups. Our drama presentation this year created an opportunity for delegates to share their social work stories - a powerful exercise.

GAPS Workshops

We regularly run workshops around the UK which are free for registered social workers to attend. The workshops focus on subjects in line with GAPS' aims. Recently they have covered subjects such as relationship based practice, the 'use of self' and the impact of managerialism on practice. This year we have been delighted by the response to our workshops in Wales.