Scotland's independent review into adult care recently called for social workers to be focused on realising rights rather than determining eligibility. This article explores how to make this real, setting out ten tests by which to judge the authenticity of the Scottish Government’s intentions. The tests suggest the practical steps required if it is to deliver the independent review’s recommendations. They also provide a blueprint for what it would take to implement this system elsewhere in the UK, given the UK government’s plans to unveil plans to reform adult social care in England later this year. The ten tests for a rights-based approach are: establish the principle that in social care, as in the NHS, need will precede resources; declare the end of the eligibility system; commit to funding all needs for people to have a dignified quality of life to the best of its ability; require that systems are established that aggregate and report unmet need; acknowledge that regional equity depends on the level of resources available to local authorities and is a national responsibility; require councils to establish systems that control spending without compromising assessments; require councils to democratise their assessment process; develop a workforce development strategy; develop a transition strategy for people currently receiving support; define what a ‘National Care Service’ is.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Scotland's independent review into adult care recently called for social workers to be focused on realising rights rather than determining eligibility. This article explores how to make this real, setting out ten tests by which to judge the authenticity of the Scottish Government’s intentions. The tests suggest the practical steps required if it is to deliver the independent review’s recommendations. They also provide a blueprint for what it would take to implement this system elsewhere in the UK, given the UK government’s plans to unveil plans to reform adult social care in England later this year. The ten tests for a rights-based approach are: establish the principle that in social care, as in the NHS, need will precede resources; declare the end of the eligibility system; commit to funding all needs for people to have a dignified quality of life to the best of its ability; require that systems are established that aggregate and report unmet need; acknowledge that regional equity depends on the level of resources available to local authorities and is a national responsibility; require councils to establish systems that control spending without compromising assessments; require councils to democratise their assessment process; develop a workforce development strategy; develop a transition strategy for people currently receiving support; define what a ‘National Care Service’ is.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
adult social care, care reform, rights based approach, government policy, human rights, access to services;
The guide briefly explores what coercive and controlling behaviour looks like, and when it occurs, with specific sections on threats and humiliation, financial abuse, surveillance and deprivation. It also discusses the specifics of abuse in LGBTQ+ relationships and the effects of coercive control on children. It contains a number of practice tips that may help you and your practice. The guide includes: an understanding of what coercive and controlling behaviour is, and why perpetrators use it; the impact that coercive control has on people experiencing or witnessing it, particularly children and people in the LGBTQ+ community; and how to spot the signs of coercive control, and what to do next.
(Edited publisher abstract)
The guide briefly explores what coercive and controlling behaviour looks like, and when it occurs, with specific sections on threats and humiliation, financial abuse, surveillance and deprivation. It also discusses the specifics of abuse in LGBTQ+ relationships and the effects of coercive control on children. It contains a number of practice tips that may help you and your practice. The guide includes: an understanding of what coercive and controlling behaviour is, and why perpetrators use it; the impact that coercive control has on people experiencing or witnessing it, particularly children and people in the LGBTQ+ community; and how to spot the signs of coercive control, and what to do next.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
abuse, LGBT people, financial abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence, children;
The Covid-19 pandemic is presenting governments, social work leaders, managers and frontline practitioners with unique challenges. This article summarises finding of a research study exploring its impact on children, families and child protection social work. Since April 2020, 48 social workers, family support workers and managers from four anonymous research sites have been interviewed, many on a monthly basis. Researchers also spoke with 22 family members and analysed a small number of digital interactions between social workers and parents. The emerging findings contain 12 key lessons for practice now and for the future: social workers have creatively improvised to remain close to children and families; social workers and organisations should trust the digital more, particularly as part of a hybrid practice that combines in-person and digital interactions; digital interactions should be seen as differently, not always less, valuable; existing research and guidance should be developed to maximise the benefits of digital social work and the hybrid practices it generates; social workers have chosen to take risks to support children and families, even when they have been afraid; social workers don’t always maintain a physical distance from children and families; Covid-19 related risk-taking is not just an individual choice but systemic; there is a particular need to develop guidance and share best practice on the use of face masks; social workers and family support workers are providing increased levels of material help and support for families; social workers miss the support of the office; social workers should not be expected to operate alone when supporting and safeguarding children; social workers deserve greater public recognition for their contribution during the pandemic.
(Edited publisher abstract)
The Covid-19 pandemic is presenting governments, social work leaders, managers and frontline practitioners with unique challenges. This article summarises finding of a research study exploring its impact on children, families and child protection social work. Since April 2020, 48 social workers, family support workers and managers from four anonymous research sites have been interviewed, many on a monthly basis. Researchers also spoke with 22 family members and analysed a small number of digital interactions between social workers and parents. The emerging findings contain 12 key lessons for practice now and for the future: social workers have creatively improvised to remain close to children and families; social workers and organisations should trust the digital more, particularly as part of a hybrid practice that combines in-person and digital interactions; digital interactions should be seen as differently, not always less, valuable; existing research and guidance should be developed to maximise the benefits of digital social work and the hybrid practices it generates; social workers have chosen to take risks to support children and families, even when they have been afraid; social workers don’t always maintain a physical distance from children and families; Covid-19 related risk-taking is not just an individual choice but systemic; there is a particular need to develop guidance and share best practice on the use of face masks; social workers and family support workers are providing increased levels of material help and support for families; social workers miss the support of the office; social workers should not be expected to operate alone when supporting and safeguarding children; social workers deserve greater public recognition for their contribution during the pandemic.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
Covid-19, children, infection control, access to services, social services, childrens social care, digital technology, social worker-service user relationships;
This is an edited version of CommunityCare Inform Children’s ‘Guide to the balance-sheet approach and Re B-S compliant evidence’. It sets out key points for practice from the case law, including: the importance of analysis and the detailed content of the evidence; proportionality of a care order within a human rights context; assessing support options for a home placement; and the ‘balance-sheet
(Edited publisher abstract)
This is an edited version of CommunityCare Inform Children’s ‘Guide to the balance-sheet approach and Re B-S compliant evidence’. It sets out key points for practice from the case law, including: the importance of analysis and the detailed content of the evidence; proportionality of a care order within a human rights context; assessing support options for a home placement; and the ‘balance-sheet approach’ and detailed analysis being recommended not only in cases of adoption, but in all care proceedings. The document includes a case study, which is accompanied by two examples of balance-sheet evidence.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social workers, adoption, assessment, childrens social care, placement, care proceedings, looked after children;
This report details the headline results of a survey of 1359 UK social workers on levels of burnout in the profession, focusing on emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. This research was commissioned and funded by CommunityCare as part of our Stand Up For Social Work campaign. Almost three quarters of the sample scored in the high category of emotional exhaustion
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report details the headline results of a survey of 1359 UK social workers on levels of burnout in the profession, focusing on emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment. This research was commissioned and funded by CommunityCare as part of our Stand Up For Social Work campaign. Almost three quarters of the sample scored in the high category of emotional exhaustion while a further 18 per cent scored moderate levels of emotional exhaustion. More than one in four scored in the high category of depersonalisation while 35 per cent scored in the moderate category. Depersonalisation describes a lack of feeling and an uncaring response to service recipients and is correlated with the emotional exhaustion subscale. With the majority of the sample scoring in the high category in relation to personal accomplishment with no one scoring in the low category, UK social workers in the sample are feeling competent and successful in their work despite high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social work, social workers, surveys, conditions of employment, job satisfaction, stress, mental health problems;
Legislation is forcing many migrants into substandard accommodation and social care staff face professional dilemmas over section nine. This article looks at two reports which provide professionals examples of good practice for professionals dealing in these issues.
Legislation is forcing many migrants into substandard accommodation and social care staff face professional dilemmas over section nine. This article looks at two reports which provide professionals examples of good practice for professionals dealing in these issues.
Subject terms:
housing, migrants, asylum seekers, eligibility criteria, families, government policy;
The author reports on two studies which investigate what leads to effective collaboration between adult mental health workers and child care protection workers.
The author reports on two studies which investigate what leads to effective collaboration between adult mental health workers and child care protection workers.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, joint working, mental health problems, mental health services, parents, risk, vulnerable children, child protection, communication, parental mental health;
This article uses recent research and practice guidance to explore the implications of the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 for professionals who work with carers of working age.
This article uses recent research and practice guidance to explore the implications of the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 for professionals who work with carers of working age.