COVID-19 resources

You-COPE: disruptions experienced by young people aged 16-24 during first months of the COVID-19 lockdown

University College London (UCL)

This briefing presents results from the first 1,274 respondents to the You-COPE initial survey, which seeks to understand how young people aged 16-24 in the UK are being impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The briefing focuses on two aspects of ‘change’ as reported in the first wave of the survey: (a) changes to income, education/employment and living situation and (b) disruptions to access to health services. The analysis shows that 31% of people reported that their income had decreased during the lockdown, compared to less than one in ten whose income had increased; 78% of respondents reported their normal educational/employment activities had changed; and 24.4% of young people reported changes to their living situation. Respondents aged over 18, and those reporting previous mental health problems, were more likely to report changes in their living situation. Of those receiving ongoing healthcare, 41% reported that it had been disrupted – females and those with previous mental health problems were more likely to report disruptions to their care. Of those receiving mental health care, 58% reported disruption to these services.

You-COPE: mental health consequences experienced by young people aged 16-24 during first months of the COVID-19 lockdown

University College London (UCL)

This briefing presents results from the first 1,507 respondents to the You-COPE initial survey, which seeks to understand how young people aged 16-24 in the UK are being impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The briefing focuses on two particular aspects of ‘change’ as reported in the first wave of the survey: (a) relationships, social media and feelings of connection in relation to mental health and (b) expectations, wellbeing and mental health during the pandemic. The analysis shows that half of the participants reported higher levels of stress since lockdown. 94% of the participants expected changes in their lives to some extent once the current crisis is over – of these 6% expected a complete change in their lives. Almost one in two respondents without previous mental health problems reported high levels of depressive symptoms and one in three reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. One in two reported overeating in response to their mood during lockdown. Around half of the participants would ask for help if needed for a personal or an emotional problem from a partner, a friend or a parent; one in three would ask for help from a mental health professional and around one in three would not ask for help.

COVID-19 policy tracker: a timeline of national policy and health system responses to COVID-19 in England

The Health Foundation

This policy tracker documents national government and health and social care system responses to COVID-19 in England, and how they change over time. The full tracker includes data on what changes have been introduced, when, why, and by whom – as well as how these changes have been communicated by policymakers. Policy changes are tracked with respect to five areas – from health and care system changes to policy narrative, measures to limit spread, research and development and wider social and economic policy.

Supervision and social care practice in the time of COVID-19

Research In Practice: Dartington

A suite of resources to support supervision in the context of COVID-19. The pandemic, and consequent need for social distancing, have required a reorganisation of every aspect of social care practice, including supervision. The resources are intended to strengthen the effectiveness of remote supervision, building resilience, working with people who are experiencing grief and loss, as well as thinking about social work in the context of a crisis.

COVID-19: guidance for commissioners and providers of services for people who use drugs or alcohol

Department of Health and Social Care

This guidance outlines COVID-19 advice for commissioners and service providers involved in assisting people who are dependent on drugs or alcohol or both. People who misuse or are dependent on drugs and alcohol may be at increased risk of becoming infected, and infecting others, with COVID-19. They may also be more vulnerable to poor health outcomes due to underlying physical and mental health conditions, as well as mental health issues associated with lockdown. The document sets out practice guidance on wide range of aspects, covering: symptoms; protection against infection; considerations for people using drugs or alcohol; children and families; mental health; access to opioid substitution treatment (OST); needle and syringe programmes (NSPs); drug detoxification; alcohol harm reduction and detoxification; non-medical support; those not in drug and alcohol treatment; what else commissioners and providers of drug and alcohol treatment services can do; and cleaning and waste. The guide also signposts to additional sources of information and advice. [Published 15 April 2020. Last updated 31 July 2020]

Putting on and taking off PPE: a guide for care homes

Public Health England

Video that provides advice to those working in care homes on how to work safely during this period of sustained transmission of COVID-19.The guidance includes: a flowchart for care workers providing care to residents to identify whether there is a need for personal protective equipment (PPE); PPE recommendations for care home staff; frequently asked questions on the use of PPE in care homes; and examples which help to identify the correct use of PPE when undertaking activities that require physical contact or activities which do not require physical contact but are carried out in close proximity to residents

Community development work: the approach in Camden Council

Research In Practice: Dartington

This podcast looks at Camden Council's role in community development, relational activism, and how the strength of the community has helped to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.

COVID-19: number of outbreaks in care homes: management information

Public Health England

Weekly dataset and summary report on suspected or confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19 in care homes in England. Care homes in this dataset refers to all supported living facilities such as residential homes, nursing homes, rehabilitation units and assisted living units.

Update on policies for visiting arrangements in care homes

Department of Health and Social Care

Guidance for making arrangements for limited visits to care homes, aimed at care providers and directors of public health. Visiting policies and decisions must aim to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission wherever possible, taking into account the circumstances of the individual care home (for example, its employee availability, resident demographics and outbreak status); and its local circumstances (local epidemiological risk, presence of outbreaks in the community). The guide sets out the principles of a local approach to visiting arrangements and dynamic risk assessment; guidance for providers establishing their visiting policy; guidance for providers taking decisions on visiting for particular residents or groups of residents; infection control precautions; communicating with relatives and others about the visiting policy and visiting decisions. [Published 22 July 2020; Last updated 31 July 2020]

Mental capacity during COVID-19: advice for social care

Coronavirus (COVID-19) quick guides and webinars about the Mental Capacity Act (MCA).