iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Adoptee Quality of Life survey Complete our questionnaire, to help us understand what makes a good quality of life for adoptees in England aged 16-25. You can sign up and take part here: bit.ly/3XAtmIr

100

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

I think it's really positive that the government's adoption support consultation ask for young people's views. Every young person should fill it in and give their views if they can. But there is a problem.

100

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

I'm really looking forward to going to the Adoptee Voices Inquiry launch on Wednesday. We will hear speeches from young adults and teenagers who have been part of the inquiry. We will hear some diverse perspectives I am sure. And we will see the report.

110

Reposted by Nick R Burke

Kristy holt @kristyholt.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

#adoption #adoptee #adopteevoices please read and share uk survey only

011

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Some people worry about mentioning adoption, or talking to a young person about it. But in my ongoing research I am finding that this approach is very harmful. Children are thinking about it anyway, they just get the signal that they shouldn't mention it.

100

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Some people think doing research is about becoming an expert in something. It isn't. It's about learning from people affected by your field and respecting what they know. Experts are out there, it's just that people (including researchers) fail to listen to them. www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ck2my-...

podbean.com

Converations - Nick, Tiegan and the Adoption Satisfaction Survey

Hello and welcome to the AandF podcast. In this episode I speak to adult adoptee Tiegen Boyens and social worker/researcher Nick Burke. They are undertaking research examining the adoptee quality of...

000

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

We need to talk about the institutional misrepresentation of adoptees. This isn't just about the way adoption is portrayed in recruitment adverts. It's about a fundamental and harmful denial of the things that adoptees say are important to their identities. #adoption #adoptee

110

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

"Forever family" always struck me as a deliberately manipulative term, targeted towards children so they get the message about what they can & cannot say. It's also a very insecure way to talk about adoption - keep a lid on it, repeat something enough times until it becomes true. #adoptee #adoption

130

Reposted by Nick R Burke

Kristy holt @kristyholt.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

#naw2025 #nationaladoptionweek #adoption #forcedadoption #birthmum #birthfamily The first ever conference for Birth parents in England read my perspectives here www.pac-uk.org/national-ado...

pac-uk.org

PAC-UK | National Adoption Week: A birth parent’s perspective – by Kristy Holt

011

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

121

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Read this today- just wow! @ldlapinski.bsky.social 's characters in their previous book "Jamie" were the friends I wished I'd had when I was at school. Kick Flip takes that to the next level. If you're thinking about coming out to your friends, this is the book for you. I cried so many tears of joy

141

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

We are creating a new tool to measure what makes a good quality of life for adoptees aged 16-25, based on what adoptees themselves think is important. If you are an adoptee aged 16-25, we need your help to improve the survey questions. Sign up for an online interview here: bit.ly/4kdRgCw

120

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

Just voted for Rhiannon Lockley. If we want to tackle defeatism in the face of cuts, we need openly political trades unionists who base their leadership in mass action in their branches. And when we vote for something, it should happen. rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com @illdoitanyway.bsky.social

rhiannonforucuvp.wordpress.com

Rhiannon for UCU VP

Vote Rhiannon Lockley (she/her) for UCU Vice President (Higher Education): ballots are live 27th January till 3rd March 2025

141

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

We are creating a new tool to measure what makes a good quality of life for adoptees aged 16-25, based on what adoptees themselves think is important. If you want to take part in a mixed focus group for birth family members, adopters and adoptees aged 26+, sign up here: forms.gle/x1Mi993Dihpg...

123

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

We are creating a new tool to measure what makes a good quality of life for adoptees aged 16-25, based on what adoptees themselves think is important. If you want to take part in a focus group for adoptees aged 16-25, you can sign up here: forms.gle/x1Mi993Dihpg...

142

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

My current research project is creating a new tool to measure what makes a good quality of life for adoptees aged 16-25, based on what adoptees themselves think is important. bit.ly/3VqPtQR

bit.ly

Adoptee quality of life

We are creating a new tool to measure what makes a good quality of life for adoptees aged 16-25, based on what adoptees themselves think is important.

000

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Focus group training session yesterday with Sheffield's Voice & Influence team & members of our Involvement Group. We were aiming to create a space where people could express diverse perspectives and have different ways to take part. Lots of zines and collage, plus great discussions & facilitation.

030

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

sites.google.com/view/nihrrss... If you work in a local authority and have been thinking about doing research, you can find out more information about fellowships from the National Institute of Health and Care Research by coming to one of these regional events. #NIHR @nihr.bsky.social #SocialWork

Flier for regional National Institute of Health and Care events for people working in local authorities, public health and social care. More information available at the following website: https://sites.google.com/view/nihrrssscph/news/read-more/nihr-academy-fellowship-events

010

Reposted by Nick R Burke

andyburnham.bsky.social @andyburnham.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

Yesterday, Greater Manchester approved free travel passes for young people who have experienced care up until the age of 25. Through devolution, important progressive steps continue to be made.

1465696

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 29/11/2024

My own winding path: 1. BMus - UOB 2. PG Dip - Guildhall 3. Head injury 4. Unemployed 5. Support worker (adults learning disabilities) 6. MA Social Work - UOB 7. STWC & SWP 8. Children's social worker & UNISON organiser 10. Adoption support worker 11. MA Social Research - UOS 12. PGR (current) - UOS

010

Reposted by Nick R Burke

Andy_Bilson @bilson.org.uk · 28/11/2024

There are a few tickets left for PFAN's webinar tomorrow, 29th November at 4pm. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/parent-adv...

eventbrite.co.uk

Parent Advocacy: From research to doing

We will be talking about all different aspects of parent advocacy, from research to support and setting it up.

143

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 28/11/2024

ucu.group.shef.ac.uk/campaigns/st... This describes the current state of the University of Sheffield, how we got here, how it could have been prevented, and what should happen next.

ucu.group.shef.ac.uk

State of the University 2024-25

A series of articles looking closely at the University's current finances, and the management decisions that have led to this point.

000

Reposted by Nick R Burke

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 25/11/2024

Higher education members 📢 Don't forget to vote in the consultative ballot: 📨 Check your emails for the ballot link ❌ REJECT the pay element ✅ ACCEPT the terms of reference on pay-related elements ⏰ Ballot closes Tuesday 3 December at 5pm ⏰ VOTE now✊

164

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Some thoughts on the trade union banner collection at the fantastic People's History museum. This one is the oldest surviving miner's banner from Ashover, Derbyshire (which now has a Tory MP). "Success to miners!" I can't imagine raising a similar slogan about any workplace I've been chained to...

100

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/parent-adv... If you've missed this, the next Parents Families & Allies Network webinar is all about parent peer advocacy. You can hear how parents can build better responses to child welfare through advocacy, care and support, & how people have managed to set up such services

eventbrite.co.uk

Parent Advocacy: From research to doing

We will be talking about all different aspects of parent advocacy, from research to support and setting it up.

111

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

My abstract got rejected by ECSWR so I'm looking for an alternative conference to present my literature review findings about social harms and child adoption in England

100

Reposted by Nick R Burke

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 21/11/2024

Higher education members 📢 Have you voted in the consultative ballot yet? ❌ REJECT the pay element ✅ ACCEPT the terms of reference on the pay-related elements VOTE before Tuesday 3 December at 5pm ⏰ Find out more 👉 ucu.org.uk/HEconsultati...

ucu.org.uk

HE offer 2024/25: member consultative ballot

Following a decision by UCU's higher education committee (HEC), we are running a formal electronic consultation of HE members on the final pay and conditions offer for 2024/25. This will launch on 12 ...

042

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

I hear a lot from research funders about wanting to fund "the right people" ie people who will progress to professors, MBEs etc. Then I think about the way the inverse care law (least access to health services for those who need it most) is mirrored in the distribution of funded health research 🤔

000

Reposted by Nick R Burke

Family Rights Group @familyrightsgp.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Hey 👋 Our first words on @bsky.app go to Salma, a care experienced young woman in London, who explains how our Lifelong Links approach has made a difference for her and for other young people in the care system. #BuildNotBreak

1168

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

This is a really important webinar, especially if like me you're thinking about whether parent peer advocacy could be set up in your area and wanting to learn from the experiences of those who have done it.

152

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

I'm honestly not sure what's new in here. Easy to score points about pirates and profiteers. We all hate them. But without plans to end reliance on a market-based system, and with tightening budget strings, I can only see the profiteers popping up at every turn www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

theguardian.com

Overhaul of children’s social care in England will crack down on firms’ profiteering

Government says reforms will end ‘neglect’ in system that leaves young people behind

000

Reposted by Nick R Burke

Andy_Bilson @bilson.org.uk · 16/11/2024

If you want to know about peer parent advocacy in child protection in England - what it is and what's happening in the parent advocacy movement watch the first 10 minutes of this video. vimeo.com/840158241

0155

Reposted by Nick R Burke

Andy_Bilson @bilson.org.uk · 16/11/2024

From parental blame to partnership with families: how to transform children’s social care Investing in parent advocacy is key among ideas for reform put forward by parents with lived experience www.communitycare.co.uk/2022/02/22/f...

communitycare.co.uk

From parental blame to partnership with families: how to transform children’s social care

by Simon Haworth Since the early part of this century, there has been a constant withering of support for families and redefinition of what help remains into investigations of families and increasing ...

1125

Reposted by Nick R Burke

Andy_Bilson @bilson.org.uk · 16/11/2024

National statistics published 31/10/2024 show the rate of children put through a s47 child protection investigation in England that didn't lead to a child protection plan has nearly doubled since 2014. That's 162,410 children investigated in 2024 that did not find harm

Graph showing doubling of investigations since 2014 whilst children receiving programmes because of need to protect has not changed

212

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

I'm really interested to know, do people feel there is an expectation from their parents that they should be grateful? I'm thinking of this in terms of saviour narratives in child adoption, but I'm also curious more generally what people feel, whether care experienced or not.

000

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

Participated in a very important UCU meeting at University of Sheffield today. Around 1300 members involved, spread between two lecture theatre and online, discussing the entirely preventable situation which has led the university leadership to propose targeted voluntary redundancies.

000

Reposted by Nick R Burke

Robin Sen রবীণ সেন (he/him) @robin2399.bsky.social · 24/10/2024

New paper led by @DrKatieEllis based on interviews with 15 prominent care experienced activists regarding their activism to achieve change in care systems. Thank you to all the participants for their insights. Available: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

14216

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 14/11/2024

If you still haven't seen the pledge for Palestine - social workers need to sign this.

111

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

I'm not sure whether there are many / any UK #socialwork academics on here yet? The fees look fairly US based to me.

000

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

I'm hoping that this platform makes it possible to connect with people affected by child welfare interventions, including adoption, and social work practitioners or academics willing to work to end the harms caused by the child welfare system. That no longer seemed a realistic possibility on Twitter

000

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Ok so now I've recycled some of my Twitter posts from the last couple of years so that people can see I'm not a bot. What did I notice? I rarely posted, and really did not get very much out of Twitter in that time. And I didn't really post much about what I was on Twitter for.

000

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

I’ve just been awarded an @NIHRresearch doctoral fellowship! I’ll be working with people affected by adoption (adoptees, birth family members, adopters) to understand ongoing family time and relationships across adoption.

100

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

So good hearing Judy Cox considering Blake's 'Jerusalem' as a response to feelings of defeat after Napoleon declared himself Emperor. The first two verses as a series of rhetorical questions, to which the answer is NO, and the rest as a commitment to struggle in mind & deed. Fab

100

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Is a shame to see prominent social work academics mouthing off about the MAB. Their non participation is the real harm here, allowing the underfunding of social work education to continue unopposed. That means unaffordable fees, unmanageable workloads, lower quality education.

000

Nick R Burke @nick-r-burke.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

University students are being let down by relentless underfunding, tuition fees, the creation of a highly ideological market in higher education, and your cost of living crisis. UCU and students are the only people standing up to any of this.

000