Resources for social work students and professionals
Online technology:
This is a helpful guide for using Google Meet technology (adapted from AfC’s staff version, with thanks)
SSPA Knowledge Exchange – Moving practice online – how social workers are adapting their practices, technologies and processes in the covid-19 context
SCIE Advice – COVID-19: using digital technology in relationship-based practice to bridge the gap in social distancing
Virtual Whiteboard – A user guide to Jamboard, kindly provided by Achieving for Children. Includes examples of how it can be used to carry out direct work for an assessment, peer supervision, and personal supervision.
Research:
Research in Practice April Research Summary: Social work in extremis: A COVID-19 edition
e-Learning:
Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare has created a free COVID-19 eLearning programme available to all staff across health and social care. The programme includes key materials to help the health and care workforce respond to Coronavirus including essential guidance from the NHS, Government and WHO, infection prevention and control, personal protection equipment and more. Find out more here.
General:
There’s a lot of online resources here – from mental health and emotional support resources, to online streamed concerts and activities for children.
Podcasts – Community Care has released a series of podcast episodes to support social workers during the coronavirus crisis. Topics covered include: The Coronavirus Act and the Care Act easements; loneliness and isolation; self care; and domestic abuse.
Guidance – Taking trauma related work home: Advice from the British Psychological Society for reducing the likelihood of secondary trauma
Webinars – Siobhan Maclean is running a series of webinars to keep students connected during the pandemic which have been made available to view on YouTube. Her website will announce subsequent webinars which will be fortnightly on Wednesdays.
Article from The Guardian – ‘We can’t go back to normal’: how will coronavirus change the world?
Social Work 2020 under Covid-19 Magazine – This is a free online magazine which will be produced during the Covid-19 crisis, edited by an editorial collective, about issues that are of interest to those who use social work or social care services, those who provide them and those who undertake teaching or research around them.
Thank You Letter – A letter thanking the social care workforce for their help on coronavirus (COVID-19) so far
For professionals working ‘online’:
This free resource (sign up required) is aimed at counsellors and therapists but there’s some interesting information for practitioners when thinking about ‘safety’ in terms of people having a confidential space to talk and containment afterwards. Also helpful when thinking about things like disclosure/disinhibition when working online.
Wellbeing:
Dr Lars K Hansen, a renowned Consultant Psychiatrist, has released a number of 10 minute YouTube videos with tips about various things COVID-19 related, including anxiety, relationships and anger management.
Jan Carpenter, who has facilitated sessions at Teaching Partnership Wellbeing Events, is holding a series of weekly webinars for key workers on the topic of resilience and letting go of Coronavirus related anxiety every Thursday 7-8pm.
A comprehensive and practical guide to Lifting Up In Lock Down
A blog by Siobhan Maclean on Connecting Reflection And Resilience To Prevent ‘Moral Injury’
Community Care Inform – Developing emotional resilience and wellbeing: A practical guide for Social Workers
The Tavistock and Portman – Guidance and Support for the Wellbeing of Adult Social Workers
BASW – Social Work Resources during the Coronavirus
Red Cross – 14 day wellbeing kit
Create a Covid-19 Time Capsule using this handy template
Domestic violence and abuse:
This quick guide from SCIE is aimed at professionals and organisations who are involved in supporting and safeguarding adults and children.
Blogs:
A number of blogs edited and published by SCIE to support the sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regulation:
Social Work England has a useful Coronavirus information page that is updated regularly with information. The information is separated out into different sections for social workers, students, education and training providers and employers.
Managers:
Skills for Care Webinars – A series of webinars on a range of topics to support managers and their service during the COVID-19 pandemic
Skills for Care Support for Registered Managers
Recruitment:
Skills for Care Guide – Safe and rapid recruitment during COVID-19
Skills for Care Guide – Distance recruitment tips – virtual interviewing
NSPCC Guidance – Recruiting Safely during Coronavirus
COVID-19 testing:
Read the press release: Further expansion of access to coronavirus testing helps protect the most vulnerable
Read the news story: Coronavirus testing extended to social workers without symptoms of disease
Policy:
DfE Guidance – Coronavirus: conducting a SEND risk assessment DfE Guidance – Coronavirus: guidance for children’s social care services
Best Practice:
TP COVID-19 Case Studies Template – A template for capturing examples of excellent practice during these unprecedented times; this could be adapted internally if necessary. Inspired by Sutton Children’s template, thank you for sharing.
