Research in Practice resources, campaigns, blogs and news share the latest research and information. We've gathered our most popular campaigns of 2023 on topics that include trauma-informed practice, assessment and continuing professional development (CPD).
The articles share the latest information, analysis and debate, all written by and for professionals across the sector. The most read article formed part of our annual campaign to support social workers with their CPD registration and renewal. It explored peer reflection which is a key element of renewal and provides an accessible overview of what needs to be completed.
Other popular campaigns include resources on effective participation, harmful sexual behaviour, housing and supporting difficult conversations in social care.
Below are a selection of the most popular Research in Practice articles of 2023.
Understanding peer reflection and CPD
As part our work to support social workers with continuing professional development (CPD) Research in Practice run an annual campaign in line with the Social Work England renewal period.
Resources and guidance provide an understanding of the recording, registration and regulation of CPD. A peer reflection must be included with at least one of the pieces of CPD which means having a conversation with another professional about something you have learnt. Our blog and resources explore peer reflection and CPD.
As part of their annual registration renewal with Social Work England, social workers need to upload a minimum of two different pieces of CPD. This blog outlines key information on peer reflection to support social workers.
Our learning resources support you to use evidence and to develop in your role. If you have a Research in Practice account you can easily keep a record of your continuing professional development (CPD).
Making trauma-informed practice a reality
Broadening our understanding of the effects of trauma can support the development of practice. Research in Practice resources explore how we can make trauma-informed practice a reality.
Trauma-informed practice has become a common term within social care, however it’s application can be complex. A suite of eight videos consider how we can build trauma-informed support and protection. The videos are released alongside A series of clips from Dr Danny Taggart that explore what we mean by trauma, its impact and what trauma-informed care really looks like.
Research in Practice has also published publications that aim to support children who have experienced developmental trauma and a series on trauma-experienced parents.
Broadening our understanding of how trauma affects people can support the development of practice. New Research in Practice resources explore how we can make trauma-informed practice a reality.
A Frontline Briefing brings together knowledge and resources on working in a trauma-informed way with children who have experienced trauma.
Trauma often underpins many of the challenges faced by children and families who are referred to children’s social care. Research in Practice publications provide guidance for practitioners supporting trauma-experienced parents.
Supporting effective participation with children and young people
All children should participate in issues that affect them and have their welfare promoted. Research in Practice resources support effective participation with children and young people.
A podcast with the Young Researchers’ Advisory Panel (YRAP) explores what true participation is. Three young people explain how centring young people in decision-making is essential in order to help safeguard them. To support care experienced children, videos share principles and tools for including their views. The videos are produced with the Bright Spots programme, which supports local authorities to listen to young people.
All children should participate in issues that affect them and have their welfare promoted. New Research in Practice resources support effective participation with children and young people.
A new Research in Practice publication provides guidance on how practitioners can understand, explore and support children and young people’s identity development.
Recognising harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people
Harmful sexual behaviour includes activities expressed by children and young people that are developmentally inappropriate. Research in Practice resources aim to recognise harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people.
Meeting the often complex needs of children displaying harmful sexual behaviour can be challenging for all parts of the workforce. In videos, Pat Branigan and Emma Hodgson from NSPCC explore how we can recognise this behaviour and what we mean when we talk about it.
Research in Practice resources aim to recognise harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people.
Child and adolescent to parent violence and abuse refers to the harmful behaviours used by children and young people towards anyone caring for them in a parental role. What can be done to provide support?
Good assessment in adult social care
An adult social care assessment is a process which identifies what adults want to achieve in order to maintain or improve wellbeing. An updated Research in Practice guide explores assessment in adult social care.
The open access guide, intended for adults, carers and their advocates, explains in simple terms what an assessment is and how it works, along with practical advice to help ensure they are effective. Our brief guides aim to provide guidance for practitioners to use with people accessing services, families and carers, to help them understand important issues and the support available to them.
An updated version of our Brief Guide to assessment in adult social care explains in simple terms what an assessment is and how it works, along with practical advice to help ensure they are effective.]
Effectively supporting families with social care and housing needs
While the housing and social care needs of families are often interrelated, efforts to support them can be fragmented across sectors. Open access evidence and tools aim to support families with overlapping social care and housing needs.
The Families and Homes Change Project provides evidence and tools to promote aligning support services, listening to families, improving prevention and early intervention, and increasing legal literacy across specialisms.
Open access evidence and tools aim to support families with overlapping social care and housing needs.
Hoarding is an undiscovered country. We are familiar with its objective reality, but its determinants remain ubiquitous, entrenched and elusive. Based on work taking place in Camden, this poem presents ideas around Hoardiculture.
Supporting difficult conversations in social care
Conversation is an integral part of practice. Research in Practice resources aim to support difficult conversations in social care.
Professionals have to discuss challenging topics and it is important to create trusting relationships. A briefing contains key messages from research and tools to develop relational practice. This includes recognising the social identities that people inhabit.
In videos, Ali Gardner explores how we also need to think about mindset over method. She outlines non-violent communication in emotive situations, and explores Garavan’s six steps for dialogic practice.
Conversation is an integral part of practice. New Research in Practice resources aim to support difficult conversations in social care.
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