Social workers play an important role in supporting the people they work with to become more physically active. Research in Practice resources explore the positive impact physical activity can have on mental health and wellbeing.
Making exercise inclusive can help prevent poor health, and provides opportunities to support the empowerment of people, tackle inequalities, and promote social justice.
In a new podcast, Katy Cleece and Professor Brett Smith discuss the Moving Social Work programme. They explore how the implementation of exercise can make a real difference to social workers and the people they work with.
The Moving Social Work programme aims to co-produce resources and strategies to promote physical activity for social workers and with the people who access care, services or support.
Embedding a person-centred, collaborative approach can lead to improved mental and physical health for disabled people and the professionals who support them.
Moving Social Work
In this podcast, Phil John talks to Katy Cleece and Professor Brett Smith about the promotion of physical activity in social work both for social workers and the people they support. They explore the benefits of physical activity for social workers and the potential role of exercise in practitioners’ work.
Supporting practitioner wellbeing
Self-care is essential for continued health and wellbeing, especially for social care practitioners whose work is complex and emotionally demanding.
An open access Practice Guide aims to support practitioners to repair, maintain, grow and sustain mental health and wellbeing. Drawing on research and practice, the guide provides self-care strategies to support physical, mental and social health, and avoid burnout.
Co-production and wellbeing
What does wellbeing mean when it’s interpreted by those with lived experience of social care?
Co-produced with Social Care Future, A brighter social care future: Evidence Review brought together groups of people with different experiences to discuss and outline the five key changes needed in social care to unlock an equal life.
The open access resources offer an accessible and unique commentary of the research on adult social care, outlining suggestions for direct practice, supervising others, working in commissioning or senior management.
Ten years of the Care Act
One of the key principles of the Care Act 2014 is the commitment to promote individual wellbeing. This includes both physical and mental health.
In a podcast, Sherrelle Parke talks about the act with Phillip Anderson from the National Children’s Bureau and Gerry Nosowska the former chair of the British Association of Social Workers. They explore its development, delivery and unrealised potential. In an accompanying blog, Phillip reflects on his involvement with the creation of the act and shares his thoughts on its ambitions.
Moving Social Work
This podcast discussion focuses on health and wellbeing, exploring how exercise can make a real difference to social workers and those they work with.
Supporting practitioner wellbeing: Practice Guide (2022)
This guide aims to support you, as a social care practitioner, to repair, maintain, grow and sustain your mental health and wellbeing, to allow you to flourish and continue to support others effectively in your professional practice.
A brighter social care future: co-producing the evidence to make five key changes
This Evidence Review was co-produced by Research in Practice and Social Care Future, and brought together groups of people, with different lived experiences of social care, to talk about five key changes needed in social care in order to unlock an equal life.
Ten years of the Care Act
It is ten years since the Care Act 2014 intended to modernise 21st Century care and support but has this been achieved? New Research in Practice resources explore the impact and challenges over the last decade.