Abuse is not always physical, and it is not always obvious.

In this episode of Let Me Explain: THE WORD, we explore what abuse means, the different forms it can take, what it might look like in real life and why recognising abuse matters.

From physical, emotional and financial abuse to neglect, discrimination, control and exploitation, this episode breaks the term down in plain English.

Because sometimes the person causing harm is someone the individual knows, loves or depends on.

And that can make abuse much harder to recognise.

Your question:

Would you recognise abuse if there wasn't a physical mark?

Let Me Explain: THE WORD is a short-form series from Let Me Explain: Social Work, taking one word, term or concept at a time and asking: what does that actually mean?

The content in this episode is designed to support learning and understanding and is not legal, medical or professional advice. Context matters, and the information discussed may not apply to every individual situation.

Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner, a newly qualified social worker, a student, or an individual or family member trying to understand the social care system, this episode unpacks the core ethos of social work: human rights, relationships, power dynamics, and seeing the whole person beyond the crisis.

Social work is often noticed most when something in life hits a tipping point—a family in crisis, an adult experiencing self-neglect, a hospital discharge, or a safeguarding concern. But crisis intervention is only a tiny fraction of what the profession is about.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• The Jargon Trap: Why legal terms like safeguarding, capacity, statutory duties, and thresholds sound like a foreign language—and why we need to unpack them.
• Who Am I? Keleigh shares her 16-year journey across UK social care—from domiciliary care, residential homes, supported living, and community nursing to acute hospital social work and her current social work apprenticeship.
• What is Domiciliary Care? Demystifying standard social care terms into plain English.
• The Global Definition: Unpacking the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) definition: human rights, social justice, and collective responsibility.
• Bridging the Silos: Why human lives don't fit into neat administrative boxes like "Children's Services" vs. "Adult Social Care," and how adult well-being and child welfare are intrinsically linked.
• Neil Thompson’s PCS Model: Understanding the 3 layers of influence:
  • P (Personal): Individual thoughts, choices, and immediate actions.
  • C (Cultural): Societal norms, stereotypes, and cultural assumptions.
  • S (Structural): Big-picture systems, laws, housing, poverty, and institutional power.
• Case Study (Sam): Why an assessment must ask "What has happened to this person?" rather than "What is wrong with them?"
• Power & Ethics: Recognising legal authority under UK legislation and why good intentions aren't enough when making life-altering decisions.

Key Quotes & Takeaways:

"Social work is not supposed to be something we simply do TO people. It should, wherever possible, be something we do WITH people."

"Knowing the legislation is one thing. Recognizing when your own professional anxiety about risk is influencing how you interpret somebody's decision... that’s something else."

"The aim isn't to become somebody who has every answer. It's to become somebody who knows how to think, how to listen, and how to remain curious when the answer isn't immediately obvious."

Disclaimer:

This podcast is produced for educational, reflective, and discussion purposes only. It does not constitute formal legal advice, clinical advice, or a substitute for university teaching, employer policies, professional supervision, or statutory guidance.

Next Time on Let Me Explain: Social Work:

We’re diving into the big topic that sits underneath almost everything we do in social care: Power. Subscribe now so you don't miss Episode 2!