Social work and social care

Taking a strengths-based approach; a literature review

Source: The King’s Fund Health Management and Policy Alert

The primary aim of this review is to examine the development and the potential of strengths-based models in social work and the social care sector. The literature review will address questions around how these approaches impact on practice, and what this means for individuals in receipt of social care services and their carers or families.

This review identifies three overarching features of the terrain:
Generally, there are three broad groupings of literature: conceptual material; material on models; and grey literature; plus a small number of evaluative papers


Strengths-based approaches are comparatively more prevalent in social work than social care (which may not be surprising given its origins).

Strengths-based approaches are being embraced by policy makers but questions remain about: its definition (how it is distinct from other approaches, and how it should be conceptualised); its effectiveness and feasibility (including its intersection with local authority eligibility thresholds); and how it should/can be evaluated.

NIHR; Feb 2021

Digital inclusion and older people

How have things changed in a Covid world?

Source: The King’s Fund Health and Wellbeing Bulletin

This briefing paper looks at the impact the pandemic has had on internet use among people aged 52+ in England. It considers what needs to be done to ensure that everyone who can benefit from digital technology does so while taking care to make sure that those who find it difficult to access or use digital technology are not left behind.

For more information click here.

Library Bulletin

Digital Mental Health Current Awareness Bulletin

The Digital Mental Health March bulletin, produced by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, is now available to view and download.

Digital-Mental-Health-bulletin-Mar_21Download

Public Health

Current Awareness Updates

We can’t prevent childhood obesity by education alone: lessons from the evidence base.
University of Bristol; 2021.

(This study examined the evidence included in the most recent Cochrane Review on childhood obesity prevention. The results show that most of the current evidence targets individual lifestyle behaviours (diet and physical activity) through education. This could influence the range of evidence that policymakers see, with consequences for the focus of policies they develop. A broader evidence base is needed on which to base future decisions about childhood obesity prevention. Policy briefing.)

Loneliness: a reading list.
House of Commons Library; 2021.

(Links to various publications considering the causes and impact of loneliness, as well as possible interventions to deal with the issue in society. A companion to the Library’s Tackling loneliness (CBP 8514) briefing, which sets out in greater detail the incidence and impact of loneliness and strategies adopted to tackle it across the UK. Research briefing.)

Consultation outcome: Proposed changes to how smoking-attributable risk is calculated.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.

(Response to consultation on proposed changes to the calculation of smoking attributable mortality and hospital admissions. There was a positive response to updating the relative risks used for the calculation of smoking-related harm and all options provided through responses have been explored.)

A Snapshot of European Children’s Eating Habits: Results from the Fourth Round of the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI).
World Health Organization (WHO); 2021.

(Overall, the WHO findings from this study highlight that action is urgently needed to promote healthy eating habits among children in all the countries of the European Region, especially to increase daily consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.)

Youth Sport Trust impact report.
Youth Sport Trust; 2021.

(In this report we share data, insights and stories from some of the young people whose wellbeing we have been able to support. Working together with schools and valued partners we have improved physical and mental health, nurtured the development of character and leadership, and fostered inclusion and empathy to bring down barriers and build connections.)

Understanding and addressing inequalities in physical activity: evidence-based guidance for commissioners Public Health England (PHE); 2021

(This guidance can be used by practitioners and commissioners at a local level to begin tackling inequalities in physical activity across and within protected characteristic groups. It presents the findings of a review, analysis and research aimed at understanding the enablers, barriers and opportunities for increasing physical activity across inequality groups.)

Royal College of Nursing

Independent Review

Source: The King’s Fund Health Management and Policy Alert

This report of an independent review finds that the government’s Covid-19 infection control guidelines, which are used across the UK, are in need of updating. It calls for all NHS staff to be given a higher level of personal protective equipment as a precautionary measure pending the outcome of a review. 

For more information click here.

Improving Patient Care

How PCNs are working in partnership to support mental health


Source: NHS Confederation; 2021.

This briefing was developed jointly by the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network and PCN Network and provides examples of three models of partnership working that are currently underway in primary care to support mental health at place level.

Key points include:

  • A seamless referral system between primary and secondary care is important for patients who have mental health needs.
  • Early interventions for young people can be very cost effective and improve access and outcomes in mental health, wellbeing, and physical health.
  • Working in partnership across the community, and pooling knowledge, resources and assets is important for improving access to services, providing cost effective interventions, and improving outcomes.
  • Joining up primary care and mental health services is essential. Primary care can help people who have milder mental health issues access support and reduce referral to secondary mental health services.

Covid 19

Current Awareness Updates

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination statistics, plans and documentation.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); 2021.

(This page brings together COVID-19 vaccination programme-related documents published by DHSC, and vaccination statistics published by other bodies within the UK.)

Second quarterly report on progress to address Covid-19 health inequalities Race Disparity Unit, Cabinet Office; February 2021

(The first report on progress to address Covid-19 health inequalities was published in October 2020. It concluded that a range of socio-economic and geographical factors coupled with pre-existing health conditions were contributing to the higher infection and mortality rates for ethnic minority groups. This second report now looks at those causes in more detail and sets out some of the work being undertaken to fill the gaps in our understanding and to mitigate the risks of Covid-19 infection. It sets out the progress made under the terms of reference and in implementing the recommendations from the first report.)

The other pandemic: the impact of Covid-19 on Britain’s mental health Public First

(In February 2021 Public First polled 4,000 people and held 12 in-depth focus groups with people from across Britain. The findings, published in this report, show that coronavirus has taken a toll on mental health in all parts of society – but especially women, the less well-off and young people.)

New WHO expert group to identify gaps and solutions to the mental health impacts of COVID-19.
World Health Organization (WHO); 2021.

(The group, tasked with reviewing evidence, identifying gaps and exploring solutions, will inform and support countries’ efforts in addressing mental health needs within and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.)

COVID-19: ventilation of indoor spaces to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Public Health England (PHE); 2021.

(Guidance, advice and information on how ventilation of indoor spaces can help to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), including how to increase ventilation at home and in other settings.)

Earthquakes and COVID-19
Orlu FN. British Journal of Psychiatry 2021;218(3):172.

(Mental health services at all levels, including psychological services in primary care, bereavement services and secondary mental health services need to start preparing for post-lockdown demand for care by making arrangements for how they will manage increased demands for services. Mental health promotion should be launched now and after the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent an overloading of the National Health Service via the mental health services’ route.)

COVID-19 and Obesity: The 2021 Atlas. The cost of not addressing the global obesity crisis.
World Obesity; 2021.

(Through detailed analyses of the latest peer-reviewed data, we demonstrate how overweight is a highly significant predictor of developing complications from COVID-19, including the need for hospitalisation, for intensive care and for mechanical ventilation. Overweight is also a predictor of death from COVID-19.)

Remote engagement: removing barriers to inclusion in the context of COVID-19.
Centre for Ageing Better; 2021.

(This short paper outlines approaches and techniques to carrying out user engagement and coproduction activities where traditional face to face methods aren’t possible. It includes case studies of good practice from initiatives including Trailblazer projects Business Health Matters and Blackwood Neighbourhoods for Independent Living. )

Centre for Early Child Development

A good practice guide to support implementation of trauma-informed care in the perinatal period

Source: The King’s Fund Health Management and Policy Alert

This guide aims to help staff and services understand the impact of psychological trauma on women in the perinatal period and respond in a sensitive and compassionate way. It aims to support staff to ensure they ‘do no harm’ through care delivery that, without thought or intention, could retraumatise individuals.