COVID-19 resources
Government guidelines around social distancing have forced us all to change the way we live and work.
The resources on this page have been created by What Works for Children’s Social Care and other organisations to provide guidance, support and inspiration for those working in children’s social care.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please get in touch.
Rapid Evidence Summaries
Brief (2-5 page) summaries of the available relevant evidence on topics that might be of interest to those working in children’s social care during COVID-19
- How can contact be managed virtually and what are the implications for foster carers, adoptive parents, family members and children? – April 2020
- How can supervision in child and family social work be managed virtually and what are the implications for social workers, managers, children and families? – May 2020
- How can children’s social workers safely conduct necessary home visits during the COVID-19 epidemic? – June 2020
Rapid Evidence Reviews
More in-depth summaries of the available relevant evidence on topics that might be of interest to those working in children’s social care during COVID-19
- Child and family social work during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review of the evidence in relation to remote leadership – June 2020
- Child and Family Social Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review of the Evidence in relation to Social Work Practice, Natural Disasters and Pandemics – August 2020
Practice guides
- Family Drug and Alcohol Courts under COVID-19: A Practice Briefing – produced by the Centre for Justice Innovation
- The PCFSW & Social Work England COVID-19 Ethical Response and Best Practice Guide for Children and Families Services produced by the Principal Children and Families’ Social Workers’ Network
- The PCFSW & Social Work England Best Practice Guide for Risk Assessment and Prioritising Children and Families’ Needs during Pandemic produced by the Principal Children and Families’ Social Workers’ Network
Two page summary - The PCFSW & Social Work England Best Practice Guide for Video Call/Contact and Virtual/Online Home Visit produced by the Principal Children and Families’ Social Workers’ Network
Two page summary - The PCFSW & Social Work England Best Practice Guide for Assessing Online Risks, Harm and Resilience and Safeguarding of Children and Young People Online produced by the Principal Children and Families’ Social Workers’ Network
- More guides and documents produced by the Principal Children and Families’ Social Workers’ Network
Podcasts
In a special series of podcasts, we talk with colleagues from around the country to better understand how they are adapting to the challenges posed by COVID-19
- Interview with Charlotte Ramsden, Strategic Director for People, Salford City Council – 7 May 2020
- Interview with Andy Elvin, CEO of TACT, the UK’s largest fostering charity – 15 May 2020
- Interview with Steve Walker, Director of Strengthening Families, Protecting Children Improvement Programme at Leeds City Council – 20 May 2020
- Interview with LeeMauve Patron, Director of Services at Become, the national charity for children in care and young care leavers – 29 May 2020
- Interview with Colum Conway, Chief Executive of Social Work England – 8 June 2020
- Interview with Chris McLoughlin, Director of Children’s Services at Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council – 26 June 2020
- Domestic abuse and COVID-19 – in conversation with Jo Silver, SafeLives – 3 July 2020
- The COVID-19 response in North Yorkshire – with Martin Kelly OBE – 10 July 2020
- Social work during COVID-19 with Richard Devine, a social worker in BANES – 24 July 2020
- Julia Hassall, Rochdale – resilience and Skype discos during lockdown – 31 July 2020
- Relationships and partnerships – Jenny Turnross discusses how Birmingham are responding to COVID-19 – 15 August 2020
Webinars
WWCSC Autumn Webinar Series
This autumn, we will be joined by a number of guest speakers – experts and practitioners in children’s social care – to explore a range of important topics in children’s social care, as well as learning from the current pandemic.
Ensuring a smooth transition back to education and learning following lockdown
Tuesday 25 August 2020, 12.00-13.30
Machine learning in Children’s Social Care – does it work and how should we be approaching it?
Wednesday 30 September 2020, 15.00-16:30
Actively involving children and families in identifying needs and planning support
How can we best support children and young people who have experienced trauma
COVID-19 Research Webinar Series
In partnership with the Principal Children & Families Social Worker (PCFSW) Network, this series of webinars aims to provide support and guidance to social workers, and others working in children’s social care, in addressing challenges posed by COVID-19.
Direct Work with Children and Young People Online
Tuesday 2 June 2020, 12.00-13.30
- Presentation – Dr Peter Buzzi, PCFSW National Research Lead
- Presentation – Claudia Megele, Chair of the PCFSW network for children and families
COVID-19 and Domestic Abuse
Friday 5 June 2020, 12.30-13.30
- Presentation – Dr Peter Buzzi, PCFSW National Research Lead
- Presentation – Claudia Megele, Chair of the PCFSW network for children and families
- Presentation – Michelle Phillips, Head of Practice, SafeLives
- COVID-19 guidance for Children’s Social Care – SafeLives
- Values & principles for effective multi-agency working – SafeLives
Relationship-based Practice and Safeguarding Children and Young People Online
Thursday 11 June, 12.30-13.30
Digital and Emotional Wellbeing
Monday 15 June, 12.00-13.30
Coming out of Lockdown: Planning for Transition and Recovery
Thursday 18 June, 12.00-13.30
- Presentation – Dr Peter Buzzi, PCFSW National Research Lead
- Presentation – Claudia Megele, Chair of the PCFSW network for children and families
- All presentations – Claudia Megele, Chair of the PCFSW network for children and families; Dr. Peter Buzzi, PCFSW National Research Lead; Yvette Stanley, Ofsted National Director for Social Care; Sarah Blackmore, Executive Director Social Work England