Moving from physical distancing to closeness
Dr. Laura Kelly outlines research findings on how post-pandemic practice has led us to inhabit an in-between state between the old and the new, and what the implications of this are for both practitioners and children and families.
Talking Points
This video looks at:
- The old normal – what practice looked like pre-COVID.
- The need for closeness.
- Reflecting on changes to practice brought on by social distancing and how we might move forward.
Reflective questions
Here are reflective questions to stimulate conversation and support practice.
- How has your practice changed since the pandemic? What elements can you build on to help you further develop your practice?
- How might you develop closeness using online platforms?
- How might you and your team develop new practice norms?
Resources that are mentioned in this video
- Ferguson H, Kelly L & Gilsenan A. (2023). Social work and child protection beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Key challenges and good practice. Dartington: Research in Practice.
- Ferguson, H., Warwick, L., Disney, T., Leigh, J., Singh Cooner, T. and Beddoe, L. (2022) Relationship-based practice and the creation of therapeutic change in long-term work: social work as a holding relationship, Social Work Education, 41:2, 209-227
- Ferguson, H., Pink, S. and Kelly, L. The Unheld Child: Social Work, Social Distancing and the Possibilities and Limits to Child Protection during the COVID-19 Pandemic, The British Journal of Social Work, Volume 52, Issue 4, June 2022, Pages 2403–2421 .
Professional Standards
PQS:KSS - Relationships and effective direct work | Communication | Analysis, decision-making, planning and review | Purposeful and effective social work | Designing a system to support effective practice | Support effective decision-making
PCF - Intervention and skills | Contexts and organisations
