http://www.communitycare.co.uken-gbWed, 17 Feb 2010 15:59:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/17/113829/progress-at-evolve-yp-and-catch22-social-work-practices-for-children-in-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/17/113829/progress-at-evolve-yp-and-catch22-social-work-practices-for-children-in-care.htmlThree years after they were proposed in the government's Care Matters white paper, the UK's first independent social work practices are now up and running. Kirsty McGregor reports on two areas to guage progressWed, 17 Feb 2010 15:59:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/11/113779/quality-in-practice.-tips-on-how-to-manage-your-workload.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/11/113779/quality-in-practice.-tips-on-how-to-manage-your-workload.html quality in practice... tips on how to MANAGE YOUR WORKLOAD Helen Donnellan and Gordon Jack explain how social workers can take control of their workloads The...Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:33:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/01/113689/are-unsuitable-social-work-students-allowed-to-pass.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/02/01/113689/are-unsuitable-social-work-students-allowed-to-pass.htmlUniversities are being accused of pushing poorly performing students through social work degree courses for financial reasons. Louise Tickle reports Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:02:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/26/113652/the-search-for-leadership.-who-are-social-cares-leaders.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/26/113652/the-search-for-leadership.-who-are-social-cares-leaders.htmlWho can guide social work in England through an unparalleled period of reform? Kirsty McGregor examines the qualities they will need Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:30:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/20/113519/your-guide-to-precious-featuring-mariah-carey-as-a-social-worker.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/20/113519/your-guide-to-precious-featuring-mariah-carey-as-a-social-worker.htmlEverything you need to know about the US film PreciousWed, 20 Jan 2010 14:22:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113567/the-past-and-future-of-the-gscc-conduct-system.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/15/113567/the-past-and-future-of-the-gscc-conduct-system.htmlThe GSCC's conduct system is set for a major overhaul, writes Daniel Lombard Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:35:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/08/113513/securing-useful-social-work-placements.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/08/113513/securing-useful-social-work-placements.htmlMany social work students who are lucky enough to find a placement still end up feeling ill-prepared for the workplace. Amy Taylor examines efforts to involve employers in improving the quality of training Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:31:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/06/113490/diary-of-a-social-work-student.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/01/06/113490/diary-of-a-social-work-student.htmlDiary A social work student writes...Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:51:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/22/113463/decade-of-social-care.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/22/113463/decade-of-social-care.htmlSome of the key policy movements that have defined the past 10 years in social work Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:05:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/09/113402/pay-increases-for-social-workers-to-be-capped-at-1.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/09/113402/pay-increases-for-social-workers-to-be-capped-at-1.htmlSocial care workers in the public sector will see pay and pension increases capped at 1%, the chancellor announced today. Meanwhile, national insurance contributions by employers and employees are set to rise by 0.5% for those earning £20,000. (Picture credit: Rex Features)Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:14:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/09/113375/social-work-task-force-what-the-final-report-means-for-you.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/09/113375/social-work-task-force-what-the-final-report-means-for-you.htmlThe Social Work Task Force issued its final report to ministers in December 2009, outlining a comprehensive action plan to raise the quality and status of the social work profession in England. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113356/managing-risk-at-christmas.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/12/03/113356/managing-risk-at-christmas.htmlAs the festive season approaches, Vern Pitt looks at some of the unexpected difficulties for which social workers must be prepared Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:28:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/27/113287/gary-mckinnon-extradition-branded-disgusting-gps-told-to-step-up-the-swine-flu-vaccination-second-hospital-exposed-for-failing-patients.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/27/113287/gary-mckinnon-extradition-branded-disgusting-gps-told-to-step-up-the-swine-flu-vaccination-second-hospital-exposed-for-failing-patients.htmlHeadlines in today's papers include: NHS rating system should be scrapped, says inspection chief; Young teacher, 26, hanged herself after being accused of helping pupils cheat in GCSEsFri, 27 Nov 2009 12:40:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/12/113144/quality-in-practice-how-to-support-and-motivate-teams.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/11/12/113144/quality-in-practice-how-to-support-and-motivate-teams.htmlIn the first of a series of regular articles, BASW learning and development chair Fran McDonnell offers tips for improving morale Recent reports have...Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:58:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/18/112638/age-assessment-dispute-leaves-young-afghan-asylum-seeker-destitute.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/18/112638/age-assessment-dispute-leaves-young-afghan-asylum-seeker-destitute.htmlSocial workers and a service user comment on a case involving a young Afghan asylum seeker made destitute after a dispute over his age Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:18:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/18/112627/essential-advice-for-newly-qualified-social-workers.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/18/112627/essential-advice-for-newly-qualified-social-workers.htmlTo mark the national roll-out of Newly Qualified Social Worker programmes this month, Community Care has teamed up with Learning Matters to bring NQSWs essential advice to help them in their first year.Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:59:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/18/112629/why-working-as-a-social-worker-in-a-hospice-is-so-rewarding.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/09/18/112629/why-working-as-a-social-worker-in-a-hospice-is-so-rewarding.htmlFar from being depressing, social worker Liz Gale says hospice work is rewarding - but support from your team is crucial in achieving this Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:28:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/27/112461/the-linx-project-tackling-the-link-between-domestic-violence-and-youth-offending.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/27/112461/the-linx-project-tackling-the-link-between-domestic-violence-and-youth-offending.html The Linx project is looking to improve the behaviour of young offenders through helping them come to terms with the domestic violence they have experienced....Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:13:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/27/112456/extract-from-girl-in-a-blue-dress.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/27/112456/extract-from-girl-in-a-blue-dress.htmlExtract from the book Girl in a Blue DressThu, 27 Aug 2009 16:22:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/27/112450/sheffield-hallam-university-pilots-student-placements-with-service-users.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/27/112450/sheffield-hallam-university-pilots-student-placements-with-service-users.htmlDirect placement of students in the homes of service users can provide insights into personalisation funding, but is the experience broad enough? Louise Tickle reports Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:05:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/25/112429/fostering-information-gap-puts-families-at-risk.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/25/112429/fostering-information-gap-puts-families-at-risk.htmlCouncils are still not giving foster carers the information they need to care safely despite two court rulings, finds Gordon Carson Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/24/112396/a-fast-track-to-social-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/24/112396/a-fast-track-to-social-work.htmlCraig Kenny gauges the arguments surrounding the plan for professionals to switch careers and become social workers (Pic: AGB Photo Library/Rex Features) Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:06:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/20/112390/mps-and-social-work-task-force-propose-overhaul-of-social-work-training.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/20/112390/mps-and-social-work-task-force-propose-overhaul-of-social-work-training.htmlThe case for better training for social workers is gathering momentum. Amy Taylor examines what changes the Social Work Task Force and MPs believe are needed Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:41:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/20/112402/scie-on-how-early-years-interventions-can-benefit-disabled-children.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/20/112402/scie-on-how-early-years-interventions-can-benefit-disabled-children.htmlThe Social Care Institute for Excellence looks at how early years interventions can benefit disabled under-eights and their families Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:09:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/19/112391/youth-crime-action-plan-success-in-lambeth.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/19/112391/youth-crime-action-plan-success-in-lambeth.htmlDean Woodward (pictured) explains how a programme in London intervenes with young people identified as at risk of offending Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:47:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/19/112392/risk-factor-using-animals-to-help-a-young-person-with-challenging-behaviour.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/19/112392/risk-factor-using-animals-to-help-a-young-person-with-challenging-behaviour.htmlYoung offender case study and risksWed, 19 Aug 2009 10:47:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/11/112337/fringe-benefits.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/11/112337/fringe-benefits.htmlThe Edinburgh Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival with over 2,000 shows on offer. This year, the pick of the productions that explore social care themes include mental illness, alcoholism, suicide and teen knife crime. Oh yes, and there’s a musical about Madonna’s transcultural adoption. Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:08:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/07/112306/workloads-make-it-hard-for-social-workers-to-take-a-holiday.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/08/07/112306/workloads-make-it-hard-for-social-workers-to-take-a-holiday.htmlFor some social workers high caseloads and lack of cover make planning holidays very stressful. Louise Tickle reports Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:23:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/24/112187/review-bbc4s-getting-on-with-jo-brand.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/24/112187/review-bbc4s-getting-on-with-jo-brand.htmlBeing old and sick is not funny, but the care system itself can provide a rich vein of humour, Lauren Revans discovers Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:08:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/21/112140/bridgend-suicides-the-lessons-learnt.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/21/112140/bridgend-suicides-the-lessons-learnt.htmlA spate of suicides in the Welsh town of Bridgend prompted local services to work together to pre-empt a repeat. Andrew Mickel reports on the strategy and the lessons learned Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:02:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/10/112052/nqsws-benefit-from-protected-caseloads-and-supervision-time.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/07/10/112052/nqsws-benefit-from-protected-caseloads-and-supervision-time.htmlThe government has approved the roll out of a training scheme for all newly qualified social workers. Louise Hunt reports Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:37:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/26/111941/what-will-the-tories-do-if-they-win-the-next-election.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/26/111941/what-will-the-tories-do-if-they-win-the-next-election.htmlThe prospect of a Conservative government need not mean doom and gloom for social workers, writes Andrew Mickel Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:06:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/24/111873/david-behan-praises-self-directed-support-in-surrey.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/24/111873/david-behan-praises-self-directed-support-in-surrey.htmlSurrey social worker Gail McCulloch has been praised for helping a family overcome their problems by using delf-directed supportWed, 24 Jun 2009 10:34:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/19/111884/cancer-patients-need-social-care-support-says-macmillan.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/19/111884/cancer-patients-need-social-care-support-says-macmillan.htmlThe specific needs of cancer patients continue to be ignored by social care, finds Natasha Salari, but examples of better services do exist Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:41:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/08/111762/telecare-and-assistive-technology-fits-in-to-the-personalisation-agenda.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/08/111762/telecare-and-assistive-technology-fits-in-to-the-personalisation-agenda.htmlThe futuristic technologies that older people might have read about in their youth are close to reality and might just help many of them live independently for longer. Bronagh Miskelly and Andrew Mickel consider the promises of telecare and the barriers to implementation Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:14:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/05/111737/how-should-we-define-social-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/05/111737/how-should-we-define-social-work.htmlThe Social Work Task Force has signalled its intent to come up with a new definition of social work to counter public misconceptions. Anabel Unity Sale reports Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:11:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/05/111746/the-importance-of-refugee-week.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/05/111746/the-importance-of-refugee-week.htmlShowing a group of young volunteers from Africa the grimmer parts of London gave Mark Drinkwater a new perspective on service planning Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:32:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/05/111740/proven-practice-11-june-2009-measuring-care-staffs-skills.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/05/111740/proven-practice-11-june-2009-measuring-care-staffs-skills.htmlThe Social Care Institute for Excellence analyses the use of an online training resource to boost staff's literacy, numeracy and communication skills Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:26:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/05/111739/risk-factor-rehabilitating-a-brain-injured-woman.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/06/05/111739/risk-factor-rehabilitating-a-brain-injured-woman.html Weighing up the risks ● Desire to give up alcohol Joan is physically able and says she does not want to drink alcohol again. ●...Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:07:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/26/111642/whistleblowers-lack-sufficient-protection.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/26/111642/whistleblowers-lack-sufficient-protection.htmlWhistleblowing is protected by law but social care practitioners who reveal inconvenient truths could find their career at an end. Mark Hunter looks at the options for those who want to challenge bad practice Tue, 26 May 2009 15:04:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/25/111643/practice-ideas-from-the-past-that-could-benefit-social-work-today.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/25/111643/practice-ideas-from-the-past-that-could-benefit-social-work-today.htmlRevivals are all the rage in music and the arts. But perhaps not yet in social work. Here, three professionals look back over the previous three decades to see what should be brought back Mon, 25 May 2009 16:49:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/19/111597/how-social-workers-can-use-the-media-post-baby-p.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/19/111597/how-social-workers-can-use-the-media-post-baby-p.htmlSocial workers may feel like giving up on the press because so many stories are negative. But there are ways of getting more positive stories into the media, writes Amy TaylorTue, 19 May 2009 12:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/11/111514/review-of-the-unloved.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/11/111514/review-of-the-unloved.html A care home is no haven for a young girl in Samantha Morton's directorial debut, says Anabel Unity Sale The Unloved, the directorial debut of Oscar-nominated actress and former care leaver Samantha Morton, opens with gentle birdsong and a black screen. A young girl's voice recites the prayer "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?" as it cuts to a shot of her lying motionless at the bottom of the stairs. Lucy, the 11-year-old speaking, has a lot to be fearful of. Her father, played by a desperate-looking Robert Carlyle, is angry because she is empty-handed and two hours late back from the shops to buy his cigarettes with his last £5 ("that's all we had" he sobs). He takes off his leather belt and viciously beats her - not for the first time. Based on original material by Morton and written by Tony Grisoni, The Unloved is an intense, dark glimpse into what life in care feels like for a young girl. Morton was in care several times herself as a child in...Mon, 11 May 2009 13:51:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/11/111509/welfare-reform-plans-to-remove-benefits-from-alcoholics.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/11/111509/welfare-reform-plans-to-remove-benefits-from-alcoholics.htmlThe government has suggested forcing benefit claimants with an alcohol dependency into treatment. But rehabilitation staff are adamant compulsion will not work. Mark Hunter reports Mon, 11 May 2009 13:48:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/08/111458/newcastles-talking-lampposts-help-people-with-visual-impairments.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/08/111458/newcastles-talking-lampposts-help-people-with-visual-impairments.html Blind and partially sighted people in Newcastle are benefiting from an innovative scheme that provides talking signs to guide them around the city centre. Anabel Unity Sale reports There are 37 talking lampposts in Newcastle city centre. No, they do not battle with David Tennant in a Geordie-based episode of Doctor Who but are an innovative way to increase accessibility for those with visual impairments. In March this year Newcastle Council became one of only 12 local authorities to introduce the React system of talking signs as part of an initiative to assist blind and partially sighted people to get around. Under the React system - using technology created by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) - a speaker is attached to a lamppost or sign, or is wall-mounted. The speaker contains a recorded message which, when activated by an electronic fob in its range, tells the person carrying the fobthe location, and what is to their left and right. Speaking signs...Fri, 08 May 2009 13:45:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/08/111493/managing-the-media-in-times-of-crisis-and-celebration.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/08/111493/managing-the-media-in-times-of-crisis-and-celebration.htmlThe media is a difficult beast to tame, and the sensitive nature of social care stories makes this even more the case. Here we have created two scenarios, one positive and one negative, and asked three media professionals to give their opinions on how a council should manage the situation. While the press will always lean toward negative stories, each professional we talked to agreed that there is also space for positive coverage - as long as it is presented in the correct way. Fri, 08 May 2009 13:42:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/08/111508/press-treatment-of-social-care-stories.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/08/111508/press-treatment-of-social-care-stories.htmlThe media may have difficulty in finding good news, but that shouldn't deter services from focusing on the positives, writes Mark Drinkwater Fri, 08 May 2009 13:41:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/01/111460/health-public-health-campaigns-on-alcohol-dont-work.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/05/01/111460/health-public-health-campaigns-on-alcohol-dont-work.html If alcohol experts accept that public health campaigns are not working, then surely it is time to abandon them, writes GP Michael Fitzpatrick One finding in a recent survey of more than 200 gastroenterologists, hepatologists, acute physicians and nurses engaged in treating alcohol-related harm has been widely reported. About 81% of these experts believe that, if alcohol was more expensive, consumption would decrease. Earlier this year the chief medical officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, proposed a minimum duty of 50p a unit alcohol in off-licences and supermarkets. The other main finding of this survey, carried out by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Nursing, was generally ignored. But an even greater majority of the alcohol experts - 84% - believe that public health campaigns have been ineffective. Yet medical authorities, politicians and commentators alike are reluctant to draw the obvious conclusion: if these campaigns, in which enormous resources have...Fri, 01 May 2009 13:30:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/111320/good-practice-creative-ways-to-promote-personalisation.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/111320/good-practice-creative-ways-to-promote-personalisation.htmlThere is little point in expanding personalisation if service users - and the practitioners supposed to assist them - don't know enough about it or where...Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:28:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/111276/lifestyle-review-inclusive-dance-company-breaks-new-ground.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/111276/lifestyle-review-inclusive-dance-company-breaks-new-ground.htmlCandoco dance troupe has been amazing audiences with its mix of able-bodied and disabled dancers, writes Mark Drinkwater Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:16:00 GMThttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/09/111195/the-mental-distress-of-detained-asylum-seekers.htmlhttp://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/09/111195/the-mental-distress-of-detained-asylum-seekers.htmlPeople denied asylum in the UK but unable to return to their country of origin are being detained in immigration centres, in some cases indefinitely. Louise Hunt reports Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:01:00 GMT