Knowledge and Practice Hubs 
Photo: nd3000/Adobestock
On this page, you will find a list of resources and activities on Community Care Inform Adults that can be used with a group of practitioners. For each activity, it includes key information about the learning objectives, the minimum duration (allow extra time for discussion), equipment/materials and any preparation needed.
Click on the name of the exercise for the resource and full details.
Note: Videos, podcasts and webinars can be watched and listened to independently by individual practitioners. This page only indicates equipment or facilities you would need to use these for group learning. Most can be adapted for a group discussion via Microsoft Teams, Zoom or similar if you are working remotely – see the suggestions in our learn as a group activity to aid analysis and decision making for examples, plus our guide to creating online reflective spaces when working from home. Please note that to access these exercises you will need an internet connection in every instance.
| Name of exercise | Format | Learning objective | Estimated duration | Notes | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A practical analysis of a mental capacity assessment | Case study | How to apply the principle of taking all practicable steps to help a person make a decision in a particular case; and what to consider when assessing whether a person is able to understand, retain or weigh information and communicate their decision. | 50 minutes | This case study, written by a local authority mental capacity and DoLS lead, applies a step-by-step approach to a mental capacity assessment. At times the author hypothetically explores what actions may have been required if the circumstances were different. There is an analysis of how the case was handled by a MCA/DoLS trainer and the case study can be used by a group to discuss and reflect on what they would have done in this situation. | Big screen, facilitator |
| Adult attachment and dementia | Podcast | Why older age and dementia can trigger attachment systems. | 40 minutes | You can listen to the whole podcast in one go or play specific sections, with discussion afterwards. Each section has a time stamp so you can easily navigate to that point on the podcast. Key points for practice are highlighted on the page and these can also be used for discussion. There are also links to relevant research. | Audio, facilitator |
| Alcohol misuse: practice scenario | Video | Observe two different versions of the same scenario and the impact each approach has on the parent. | 30 minutes: includes a two-minute video, a three-minute video and discussion time | Providing two versions of the same scenario gives practitioners a chance to consider the differences in approach and the impact these conversations can have on a service user. This tool includes a comparison summary and questions to consider for practice. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Anti-racist social work | Podcast | What anti-racist practice in social work is and how practitioners and leaders can take action in their own contexts. | 38 minutes (this is the length of the episode; allow longer if you want to listen to the whole episode and discuss the issues as a group) | Key points from the podcast about applying the theory to your own work are provided on the page for discussion after listening. | Audio or download the episode from Spreaker |
| Assessment training exercise for best interests assessors | Learning exercises | How to carry out a best interests assessment using the balance-sheet approach. | 90 minutes | There are three exercises and groups (or individuals) should spend 20-30 minutes on each. | Big screen, facilitator |
| Attachment-based practice with adults | Webinar | How to use attachment theory to work with adults. | 95 minutes | The webinar presentation lasts for almost an hour. You can stop the webinar at any time to discuss and reflect on the points raised. After the presentation there are 35 minutes of questions on the recording for further learning. You can also have your own discussion based on the key points you have picked out from the webinar. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Burnout | Podcast | Why social workers in child protection and those working with adults with learning disabilities are experiencing burnout. | 30 minutes | This podcast looks at the latest research findings in this area and what it means for your practice. You can listen to the whole podcast in one go or play specific sections, with discussion afterwards. Each section has a time stamp so you can easily navigate to that point on the podcast. There are key points from the experts that can be used for discussion. | Audio, facilitator |
| Care Act advocacy - understanding your duties and the advocate's role | Webinar | Understanding the triggers for Care Act advocacy and the distinctions between this and independent mental capacity advocacy. | 75 minutes | The webinar presentation lasts for almost an hour. You can stop the webinar at any time to discuss and reflect on the points raised. After the presentation there are 15 minutes of questions on the recording for further learning. You can also have your own discussion among the team based on the key points you picked out from the webinar. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Care plans and advocacy rights under the Care Act | Webinar | An understanding of local authorities' advocacy duties and the distinction between a review and a revision of a person's care and support plan. | 110 minutes | The webinar presentation lasts for 1 hour 20 minutes. Then there are 30 minutes of questions. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Coroner's court: giving evidence at an inquest | Video | Ways to prepare and how being prepared makes you a better witness. | 25 minutes | The video is based on a real inquest but is not a true representation of the evidence that was given. The video is in two parts, the first shows an unprepared social worker giving his evidence and the second shows a prepared social worker. Throughout the video, pop-up annotations provide tips on presenting evidence. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Difficult conversations under the Care Act | Webinar | How to act in a legally defensible manner, particularly when dealing with issues arising from resource constraints within local authorities. | 90 minutes | The webinar presentation lasts for 1 hour 10 minutes followed by 20 minutes of questions. You can stop the webinar at any time to discuss and reflect on the points raised. As well as further learning from questions, you can have your own discussion based on the key points you have picked out from the webinar. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Domestic abuse and Covid-19 | Podcast | Supporting children and adults at risk of domestic abuse during the pandemic. | 16 minutes (this is the length of the episode; allow longer if you want to listen to the whole episode and discuss the issues as a group) | This episode was recorded duing the first lockdown in 2020 but you can consider how the general guidance on safety planning apply. | Audio or download the episode from Spreaker |
| Domestic abuse: talking to a perpetrator | Video | Observe two different versions of the same scenario and what impact each approach has on the father. | 30 minutes: includes watching video A (03:58 mins) and video B (04:14 mins) and discussion time | Providing two versions of the same scenario gives practitioners a chance to consider the differences in approach and the impact these conversations can have on an individual. This tool includes a comparison summary and questions to consider for practice. | Big screen/projector, sound |
| Domestic abuse: talking to a victim (mother) | Video | Observe two different versions of the same scenario and what impact each approach has on the mother. | 30 minutes: includes watching video A (03:03 mins) and video B (04:41 mins) and discussion time | Providing two versions of the same scenario gives practitioners a chance to consider the differences in approach and the impact these conversations can have on an individual. This tool includes a comparison summary and questions to consider for practice. | Big screen/projector, sound |
| Eligibility criteria under the Care Act | Webinar | The practice implications of the eligibility threshold for care and support and what the regulations and guidance under the act require of social workers in implementing it. | 60 minutes | The webinar presentation lasts for 35 mins and then there are 25 mins of questions. There were too many questions for the expert to answer and so she brought them together into a document afterwards. The link to the document is on the page. These questions cover the practice dilemmas that social workers might face when implementing the act, including interpreting the new eligibility criteria, assessment, resource allocation and carers' eligibility for support. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Fear and social work | Podcast | Dealing with common sources of fear in practice, during the pandemic and more generally. | 24 minutes (this is the length of the episode; allow longer if you want to listen to the whole episode and discuss the issues as a group) | Key points from the podcast about being getting the right support for scary situations are provided on the page. These can be used as a starting point for discussing as a team how you support each other. | Audio or download the episode from Spreaker |
| Emotional resilience and how to develop it | Webinar | Techniques to help practitioners survive difficult situations but allow experiences to enhance their personal resources and continue to improve their practice. | 60 minutes | The webinar presentation lasts 40 mins, followed by 20 mins of questions. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Forced marriage of adults with learning disabilities | Podcast | The particular reasons behind the forced marriage of adults with learning disabilities, the warning signs that social workers should look out for, and the social work role in safeguarding adults with learning disabilities from forced marriage. | 20 minutes | You can listen to the whole podcast in one go or play specific sections, with discussion afterwards. Each section in the podcast transcript has a time stamp, so you can easily navigate to that point on the podcast. Key learning points from the podcast are highlighted at the top of the page and these can be used for discussion. | Audio, facilitator |
| Hoarding: working with adults | Webinar | An understanding of why people hoard and how to engage and work with them to help them change their behaviour. | 95 minutes | The webinar presentation lasts 55 mins. You can stop the webinar at any time to discuss and reflect on the points raised. After the presentation there are 30 mins of questions for further learning. You can also have your own discussion based on the key points you picked out from the webinar. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| How family group conferences can safeguard adults | Video | What a family group conference is, how it can be used in adult safeguarding, what happens in each stage of an FGC and who does what and when. | 40 minutes | The video is 40 mins and after that practitioners can discuss the questions for reflection drawn up by our expert that are on the web page. The questions are split into the three stages of a family group conference. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Liberty Protection Safeguards | Podcast | Which professionals will be required to carry out assessments and the pre-authorisation review under the Liberty Protection Safeguards, the requirements of care homes and care home managers, and the role of approved mental capacity professionals. | 35 minutes | You can listen to the whole podcast in one go or play specific sections, with discussion afterwards. Each section in the podcast transcript has a time stamp, so you can easily navigate to that point on the podcast. Key learning points from the podcast are highlighted at the top of the page and these can be used for discussion. | Audio, facilitator |
| Loneliness and isolation | Podcast | Supporting individuals experiencing loneliness or isolation, whatever stage of life they're at. | 25 minutes (this is the length of the episode; allow longer if you want to listen to the whole episode and discuss the issues as a group) | Summary points are included on the page which can aid a discussion after listening to the podcast about making the best use of supervision time and different ideas to try within the team. | Audio or download the episode from Spreaker |
| More confident court work | Webinar | Improving court skills | 60 minutes | The webinar presentation lasts 45 minutes. You can stop the webinar at any time to discuss and reflect on the points raised. After the presentation there are 20 minutes of questions on the recording, which you can listen to for further learning. Alternatively, you can have your own discussion based on the key points you picked out from the webinar. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Motivational interviewing | Podcast | What motivational interviewing is and how to use the approach in social work practice. | 80 minutes: includes a 30 minute podcast and a 50 minute podcast | There are two podcasts in this episode. The first discusses what MI is, the research base behind it and some of the possible drawbacks or issues with the approach. The second includes two scenarios, one showing a non-MI approach, the other showing MI in action. Two learning exercises accompany the second podcast. You can listen to both podcasts in one go or at separate times. With both you can play specific sections, with discussion afterwards. Each section has a time stamp so you can easily navigate to that point on the podcast. | Audio, facilitator |
| Parents with learning disabilities | Podcast | How social workers can build good relationships with parents with learning disabilities and make parenting assessments a more positive, supportive and constructive experience. | 50 minutes | You can listen to the whole podcast in one go or play specific sections, with discussion afterwards. Each section has a time stamp so you can easily navigate to that point on the podcast. There are key points from the experts. | Audio, facilitator |
| Practice education: oppressive and anti-oppressive practice education | Video | Understanding oppressive and anti-oppressive practice education. | 60 minutes: includes a six-minute video, a five-minute video and time to discuss the reflective questions | Split into two videos which show two different approaches in a supervision session between a practice educator and a social work student on her first placement - the first an example of oppressive behaviour, the second, more supportive and positive. Both offer suggestions for you to reflect on your own practice and commentary with tips for practice and reflective questions. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Remote supervision | Podcast | How to make remote supervision effective, and ways to talk about emotion. | 21 minutes (this is the length of the episode; allow longer if you want to listen to the whole episode and discuss the issues as a group) | Summary points are included on the page which can aid a discussion after listening to the podcast about dealing with loneliness and isolation as the pandemic continues. | Audio or download the episode from Spreaker |
| Safeguarding under the Care Act | Webinar | How to put aspects of the Care Act's safeguarding measures into practice. | 90 minutes | The webinar presentation lasts for almost 1 hr and then there are 30 mins of question. Our expert ran out of time to answer all the questions so there is also a Q&A written session on the web page answering these. | Audio, big screen, facilitator |
| Secondary trauma and social work | Webinar | The risk factors and signs of secondary trauma, and how to mitigate against it in your self and your team. | 65 minutes | The webinar presentation is 57 mins followed by the speaker responding to questions from the attendees. You can pause the webinar recording at any time to discuss and reflect on the points raised. | Big screen/projector, sound, internet connection |
| Self-care and Covid-19 | Podcast | Ways to practice self-care during the pandemic and support colleagues. | 20 minutes (this is the length of the episode; allow longer if you want to listen to the whole episode and discuss the issues as a group) | Key points and ideas are included on the page and can be used as a starting point for discussion after listening to the podcast - are you still practising self-care ideas discussed when the pandemic was new, how can individuals and the team carry on looking after themselves? | Audio or download the episode from Spreaker |
| Social media | Podcast | The ethical and legal issues of social workers looking at the social media of those they support. | 30 minutes | You can listen to the whole podcast in one go or play specific sections, with discussion afterwards. Each section has a time stamp so you can easily navigate to that point on the podcast. As well as definitions of different social media, there are points from the experts and a case study that can be used for group discussion. | Audio, facilitator |
| Strengths-based practice | Podcast | How to use a strengths-based approach in your practice and the kind of questions you can use in conversations. | 30 minutes | You can listen to the whole podcast in one go or play specific sections, with discussion afterwards. Each section has a time stamp so you can easily navigate to that point on the podcast. As well as key points and points for practice from the two experts, there are two interactive exercises. | Audio, facilitator |
| Transgender people and social work | Podcast | Common misconceptions about trans people and what good social work with them looks like. | 35 minutes | You can listen to the whole podcast in one go or play specific sections, with discussion afterwards. Each section has a time stamp so you can easily navigate to that point on the podcast. Key points from the podcast are highlighted on the page and these can also be used for discussion. | Audio, faciliator |
