COVID-19 resources

Stories of care homes across the country: episode 3

My Home Life England

'Conversations with Care Homes' is a series by My Home Life England (MHLE). This episode focuses on resources on the stories of care homes across the country. It includes examples of rising PPE costs, but also how local businesses are rallying together and donating supplies. Resourceful managers are contacting their councils and MPs for support regarding staff transport, whilst others are using isolation as a chance to reflect on their person centred care. Finally, what talents within the care team could bring joy to both residents and staff? Video posted 24 April, 2020.

Postive and challenging stories from care homes: episode 1

My Home Life England

'Conversations with Care Homes' is a series by My Home Life England (MHLE). This episode focuses on sharing some of the positive stories heard from care homes across the country, whilst also acknowledging the huge challenges that many are facing at the current time. This includes an example of huge generosity from care homes in Liverpool, coming together to help another care home that was facing an outbreak of COVID-19. Another example is about how technology is keeping residents connected to their loved ones and communities, before ending with joyous news of a 100th birthday. Video posted 11 April, 2020.

Supporting relatives to connect to residents during COVID-19: episode 5

My Home Life England

'Conversations with Care Homes' is a series by My Home Life England (MHLE). This episode focuses on innovative tips and techniques that care homes across the country are using to keep relatives connected to residents, as well as informed and reassured at this understandably anxious time. And to end, one care home gets a visit from a rainbow pony! Video posted 7 May, 2020.

COVID-19: Local examples of care technology approaches

Local Government Association

See examples of local care technology approaches being taken by councils to support the adult social care COVID-19 response. Includes: Essex, Kent and Suffolk county councils approach to providing virtual care.

COVID-19: good council practice

Local Government Association

The Local Government Association are publishing case studies that will be of help to local authorities as they navigate this changed environment, while showcasing some of the important work being carried out by the sector. The case studies are broader than social care but touch on many areas of interest to the care sector such as supporting vulnerable residents.

Leave no family behind: strengthening Local Welfare Assistance during Covid-19

The Children's Society

Local Welfare Assistance Schemes (LWAS) provide a rapid means for councils to support low-income households in times of financial crisis. Using data from freedom of information requests this report highlights how spend on local welfare provision has continued to fall across the country, with fewer applications and awards being made to LWAS. The report also shares examples of how councils and voluntary and community sector organisations are working to meet increased demand for local welfare provision in response to COVID-19. The report calls for government to ensure that local authorities have the funding and resources to effectively deliver LWAS in partnership with voluntary and community organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supporting young people and parents: the impact of COVID-19 on adolescents, parenting and neglect

The Children's Society

This briefing explores the challenges that adolescents and their parents face during the Covid-19 pandemic. It offers advice for professionals on how to reduce the likelihood of neglect occurring or to mitigate its effects and includes recommendations for national and local decision makers around prevention and responses to adolescent neglect. It is based on recently-published academic research, data collected since the onset of the pandemic and consultation with practitioners.

The role of the children in care social worker during the covid-19 crisis and exploring the utilisation of video messaging for younger children in foster care

John Finn, writing in the ‘Irish Social Work’ blog, explores using video messaging for for younger children in foster care.

Local responses on supporting care leavers during COVID-19

Department for Education

This document looks at how local authorities are responding to the additional challenges they are facing in supporting care leavers during COVID-19. It sets out key issues and provides examples of local practice identified through consultations with the Department of Education's independent National Implementation Adviser for Care Leavers. Some of the examples were gathered before the Department published operational guidance for Children’s Social Services and before the Education Secretary’s announcement of support for care leavers on 19 April. Issues identified included: loneliness; financial and practical support; accommodation; and providing support to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children.

COVID-19: management of staff and exposed patients or residents in health and social settings

Public Health England

Guidance providing advice on the management of staff, patients or residents in health and social care settings according to their exposure, symptoms and test results for COVID-19. It includes information on: what to do if staff develop symptoms of COVID-19; staff return to work criteria; patient exposures in hospital; and resident who have been exposed to COVID-19 in care settings. The guidance has been updated to include: information on the test and trace service; and information on the risk assessment for staff in the event of personal protective equipment (PPE) breaches. [Published 4 April 2020. Last updated 28 September 2020]