SCIE resources and services

Social Care Online

The UK's most complete range of information and research on all aspects of social care and social work.

This website provides information about the Care Leavers stories project, an initiative which enabled care experienced people to record their life stories on digital video. The website provides access to the 17 interviews conducted as part of the project, where people tell in their own words what it is really like to grow up in children’s homes and foster care and then make their way in the world. The stories are between 25 minutes to 3 hours long and cover the interviewee’s whole life with a focus on their care experience. Full and summary versions of interviews are available with transcripts. The interviews were conducted by specially trained young people, who have also been through the care system The website also contains two short videos summarising the main messages and themes from all the stories: journeys through the care system; and reflections on being in care. A video also describes how the project was developed. The project was funded by the Heritage Lottery fund and developed by SCIE in partnership with the British Library.

Prevention and wellbeing

The development of preventative approaches and those which promote independence and wellbeing have gained importance since the implementation of the Care Act 2014. Prevention and encouraging people to be more proactive about their health and wellbeing is also central to the vision of the NHS Five Year Forward View. SCIE’s resource aims to inform the case for commissioning prevention services in adult social care through highlighting examples of good practice across England.

Consultancy and improvement support

SCIE's consultancy and improvement support to help care, health and other relevant organisations meet the practical challenges they face.

Practice issues from serious case reviews – learning into practice

Part of Safeguarding children

Briefings intended to support managers, senior managers and practitioners by Identifying difficult issues in multi-agency safeguarding work, focusing on inter-professional communication and decision making, and exploring why these issues arise, and therefore how they might be addressed.

Mental Capacity Act (MCA) Directory

The MCA Directory raises awareness about the MCA, including the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. Find useful information and tools to help understand or implement it. Also links to informative blogs and to the Social Care Online database of research and journals.

Named Social Worker

Having a named social worker can contribute to people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health needs achieving better outcomes.

Arts in care homes

Involving people who live in care homes in the creative arts can delight, inspire and even bring health benefits. Written in association with the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA), this resource offers care teams, including activity providers, many practical ideas on how to get started.

Managing knowledge to improve social care elearning

Part of e-Learning courses

This e-learning programme helps frontline social workers understand the principles and practice of knowledge management, as well as organise and manage their knowledge and information as effectively as possible.