Social Worker Resource Toolkit

To help our candidates, we have created a social worker toolkit, a comprehensive resource that covers various aspects of social work in the UK, in addition to out Ultimate Social Worker Career Guide. This toolkit will be geared towards supporting social workers in staying informed, organised, and up to date with the latest trends and best practices. The toolkit will include:

1. Trending Topics in Social Work
2. Key Resource Links
3. Professional Development and Training
4. Self-Care and Well-being Resources
5. Tools for Organisation and Time Management
6. Legal and Policy Updates
   — Legislation Updates
   — Policy Briefings
   — Access to Legal Advice:
   

1. Trending Topics in Social Work

Social workers need to stay informed about current issues that affect their practice and the communities they serve. Here are some of the key topics currently trending in the UK:

• Mental Health Awareness:
  Growing emphasis on integrating mental health support within social work, especially for children and young adults.
• Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding:
  New legislation and resources aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals.
• Child Protection and Family Support:
  Evolving practices in child welfare and family support services.
• Elder Care and Support:
  The rising need for policies and resources addressing the aging population and care system.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):
  Increasing focus on DEI training, awareness, and cultural competence within social work.
• Technology in Social Work:
  Digital tools, online assessments, and remote support options post-pandemic.
• Understanding Coercive Control: Recognising the Signs and Supporting Victims
  Hot topic in the UK at the moment and essential to avoid supporting the perpetrator and not the victim

2. Key Resource Links

Providing a curated list of useful resources can help social workers access necessary information quickly:

• British Association of Social Workers (BASW):
  The UK’s professional association for social workers, providing resources, guidance, and training opportunities.
• Community Care:
  News, jobs, and best practice guidance for social care professionals.
• Social Work England:
  Regulator for social workers in England, offering guidance on standards, conduct, and continuous professional development.
• NSPCC Learning:
  Child protection training and resources for safeguarding children and young people.
• The Open University – Social Work Hub:
  Free courses, articles, and videos on social work-related topics.

3. Professional Development and Training

Continuous learning is essential for career progression and maintaining registration. This section provides information on relevant training and development opportunities:

Online Courses:

Short courses on child safeguarding, mental health, DEI, trauma-informed practice, and other critical areas.

• FutureLearn – Social Care and Support Courses
  FutureLearn offers a wide range of short online courses, including those on child safeguarding, mental health, and trauma-informed practice, provided by leading universities and institutions.

• Coursera – Social Work and Mental Health Courses
  Coursera provides courses on various topics such as mental health, trauma-informed practice, and DEI, developed by prestigious universities and organisations.

• OpenLearn – Free Social Care Courses
  OpenLearn offers free online courses on topics such as child safeguarding and mental health, perfect for social workers looking to expand their knowledge without cost.

• MindEd – Free E-Learning for Mental Health
  MindEd is an NHS platform offering free e-learning modules on child mental health and trauma-informed care, which are ideal for social workers focusing on vulnerable populations.

• NSPCC Learning – Child Protection Courses
  NSPCC provides specialised courses in child protection, safeguarding, and trauma-informed practice, which are crucial for social workers dealing with child welfare cases.

Webinars and Workshops:

Links to upcoming webinars hosted by BASW, Community Care, and local authorities on various topics.

• BASW – Webinars and Events
  BASW regularly hosts webinars and workshops on topics ranging from policy updates to best practices in social work. These events are aimed at helping social workers stay informed and develop professionally.

• LGA – Events and Webinars
  The Local Government Association often runs webinars and workshops in collaboration with local authorities. These cover a wide range of social care topics such as children’s services, adult social care, and social work practice.

• Research in Practice – Learning Events
  Research in Practice provides webinars and workshops focused on evidence-based practice for social workers. Their events help social workers apply the latest research to real-world challenges.

• Social Work England – Events and Webinars
  Social Work England hosts webinars that cover updates to regulations, policies, and professional standards. These are particularly helpful for social workers seeking to stay compliant with the latest requirements.

Accredited Qualifications:

Guidance on postgraduate programs, such as Master’s in Social Work, and courses for Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS).

• UCAS – Social Work Postgraduate Programs
  UCAS provides a comprehensive directory of accredited postgraduate programs in social work across the UK. These include Master’s in Social Work (MSW) programs that are accredited by Social Work England.

• Open University – Master’s in Social Work
  The Open University offers accredited part-time Master’s in Social Work programs, designed for individuals looking to gain professional social work qualifications while working.

• King’s College London – Master’s in Social Work
  King’s College London offers accredited Master’s programs in social work, which are well-regarded and provide a solid foundation for social workers seeking leadership roles.

• University of Edinburgh – Master’s in Social Work
  The University of Edinburgh provides an accredited MSW program that offers comprehensive social work training, covering everything from foundational skills to advanced practice.

• SCIE – PEPS Guidance
  The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) offers resources and guidance on PEPS training, designed for social workers who wish to mentor and supervise student social workers.

4. Self-Care and Well-being Resources

Social work can be emotionally challenging, making self-care a priority:

Resources for mental health support, stress management, and counselling services

• Mind UK – Get Help and Support

• Mind UK – How to Manage Stress

• Mind UK – Workplace Wellbeing

• Mind UK – Access to Counselling

• Mind UK – Coronavirus and Your Wellbeing

• Mind UK – Helplines

• Mind UK – Trauma and PTSD Support

A downloadable PDF outlining daily, weekly, and monthly self-care activities

• Social Worker Self-Care Checklist

Apps for Mindfulness and Meditation:

• Headspace
  Headspace is one of the most popular apps for mindfulness and meditation, offering guided meditation sessions, breathing exercises, and sleep tools. It’s especially useful for beginners and those with busy schedules.

• Calm
  Calm provides meditation, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques. It also offers soothing music, nature sounds, and stories to help users sleep better. This app is great for stress relief and improving mental focus.

• Insight Timer
  Insight Timer is a free meditation app that offers thousands of guided meditations led by experienced teachers. It’s perfect for individuals who want to explore a wide variety of meditation techniques

• MyLife Meditation
  MyLife is an app that helps users check in with their emotions and offers mindfulness activities based on how they feel. It’s great for tailored meditation and mindfulness exercises.

• Smiling Mind
  Smiling Mind is a free mindfulness app developed by psychologists and educators to help with stress management, focus, and sleep. It’s ideal for both personal use and as a tool for educators or social workers working with children.

5. Tools for Organisation and Time Management

Effective case management and time management are crucial for social workers:

Case Management Software:

Mosaic – Mosaic by Servelec 

Mosaic is a comprehensive case management system designed specifically for adult and children’s social care. It helps streamline workflows and improve case handling across various social care services.

Mosaic – Key Features:

• Customisable workflows and forms
• Integrated reporting and analytics
• Supports multi-agency collaboration
• Mobile access for on-the-go case updates

Mosaic enhances the efficiency of case management by automating routine tasks and providing a clear audit trail. Its multi-agency collaboration feature is beneficial for teams that work across different sectors.

Liquidlogic – Liquidlogic Case Management

Liquidlogic provides social care case management software that serves both adults’ and children’s services. Its intuitive design helps social workers manage cases more effectively while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation.

Liquidlogic – Key Features:

• Fully integrated with health, education, and social care systems
• User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality
• Comprehensive reporting and analytics tools
• Secure document storage and sharing

Liquidlogic improves decision-making by providing social workers with easy access to case histories and key data. The software’s compliance features help ensure that case management meets all legal and regulatory requirements.

CHARMS – CHARMS by The Social Care Network

CHARMS is a cloud-based case management system used primarily by fostering and adoption agencies. It’s designed to manage every aspect of casework, from placements to financial tracking.

CHARMS – Key Features:

• Placement matching tools for fostering and adoption
• Financial management features for tracking payments and expenses
• Secure, cloud-based document storage
• Real-time updates and alerts for critical case actions

Benefits:

CHARMS simplifies the placement process, helping social workers match children to the best possible foster carers or adoptive parents. Its financial management tools allow agencies to track funding and payments with ease, providing transparency and control.

Corelogic – CareWorks (formerly Corelogic)

Corelogic (now part of CareWorks) offers case management solutions specifically designed for social care teams. It integrates with other social care systems to provide a comprehensive view of a client’s care journey.

Corelogic – Key Features:

• Comprehensive client records with all case history
• Automated workflows to reduce administrative burden
• Customisable reporting and dashboards
• Integration with third-party systems such as health and housing

Corelogic streamlines case management and ensures all relevant information is available in one place, reducing errors and improving outcomes. Its automated workflows help social workers focus on direct client care rather than administrative tasks.

Clarity Human Services – Clarity Human Services 

Clarity Human Services is a case management software that helps social workers manage homelessness, domestic violence, and other human service cases. It’s focused on the client and housing journey.

CHS Key Features:

• Comprehensive housing and homelessness management tools
• Real-time data and client tracking
• Integration with external systems for coordinated care
• Customisable case plans and client goals

Clarity simplifies complex case management by providing detailed tracking of client progress and service delivery. It improves collaboration between different service providers, ensuring clients receive holistic care.

Time Management Apps:

Coming soon ….  Trello, Asana, and Microsoft To-Do for managing tasks and deadlines.

Free Templates:

Coming soon ….  Downloadable templates for case notes, risk assessments, and care plans to help social workers stay organised.

6. Legal and Policy Updates

Staying updated with the latest legislation and policies affecting social work is essential for compliance and effective practice:

Legislation Updates:

Regular updates on new laws and changes impacting social care, such as the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Children Act, Care Act 2014, and GDPR compliance.

• Care Act 2014
  Provides official updates on UK laws, including social care legislation like the Care Act 2014, Children Act, and Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

• Legislation.gov.uk
  The official home of UK legislation, offering the most up-to-date legal information. It’s the best source for referencing complete texts of social care laws like the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and GDPR.

• SCIE – Legal Resources
  Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) Offers resources and guides on new social care policies and best practices, covering laws such as the Care Act 2014, Children Act, and safeguarding policies.

• BASW – Legislation Updates
  The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) BASW regularly provides updates on legislation impacting social work practice, as well as advice on compliance with new laws.

• ICO – Data Protection Guide
  Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) For GDPR compliance in social care, the ICO is the UK’s independent authority that guides organisations on data protection laws.

Policy Briefings:

Summaries and analyses of recent policy changes from Social Work England, the Department for Education, and the Department of Health and Social Care.

• Social Work England – Policy and Publications
  Social Work England regularly publishes policy updates, reports, and consultations that affect social workers, focusing on regulations and standards.

• DfE – Policy Papers and Consultations
  The Department for Education provides updates and briefings on policies related to children’s services, safeguarding, and educational support for vulnerable children, all of which are highly relevant for social workers.

• DHSC – Policy Papers and Updates
  The DHSC offers policy briefings and updates on laws and changes impacting health and social care, including adult social care reforms and public health policies.

• LGA – Policy Briefings
  The LGA publishes policy briefings relevant to social workers, focusing on updates from government departments like the DHSC and DfE, particularly around children’s services and adult social care.

Access to Legal Advice:

Information on where to get free or low-cost legal advice for social work cases, including community legal centers and pro bono services.

• LawWorks – Find a Legal Advice Clinic
  LawWorks connects individuals and organisations with pro bono legal services provided by volunteer solicitors. They offer free legal advice through clinics across the UK.

• Citizens Advice – Legal Advice
  Citizens Advice offers free, confidential legal advice on a variety of issues, including those relevant to social work, such as housing, family law, and employment disputes.

• The Law Society – Find a Solicitor
  The Law Society provides a comprehensive directory of solicitors offering free initial consultations or affordable services. You can search for solicitors specialising in social work-related cases.

• Legal Aid Agency – Legal Centres
  These centres provide free or low-cost legal advice and representation to individuals, including those involved in social care cases. They focus on areas like family law, child protection, and housing.

• Advocate – Free Legal Help
  Advocate is a charity that connects individuals in need with barristers offering free legal advice and representation. They offer help in areas including family law, housing, and public law issues relevant to social work.

• Rights of Women – Legal Advice
  Rights of Women offers free legal advice to women on issues such as domestic violence, child protection, and family law. This service is particularly helpful for social workers managing cases involving vulnerable women.