Semi-independent homes are there to help children make a smooth transition into adulthood so they are prepared to live independently. Evoke Care has a semi-independent accommodation provision for vulnerable young adults aged 16-18 designed to cater for challenging behaviour and complex needs. Sometimes referred to as supported housing, our facilities are staffed 24 hours a day by our own highly qualified carers. This type of provision is ideal for low-level offenders, students leaving foster care and those with mild but challenging behaviour or needs. Based on the Every Child Matters Five Outcomes, we work hard on delivering the extra support our young people need so that they successfully go onto employment and move forward with their lives, entering into their communities comfortably and ultimately, living independently. Each young person in our semi-independent accommodation facilities receives a tailored care packaged and a dedicated support worker based on individual assessment. This care package will be part of their plan to eventually move forward independently. Tailored plans include emotional support and practical help in education, health and day-to-day issues. We also help young people understand how to cook, budget and manage household tasks. During young people’s time with us in our semi-independent accommodation facilities, we encourage them to develop independence and as time progresses, once they become more competent, the level of assistance reduces. Support is always available for as long as young people are in our setting. What we assist with: Cookery Food shopping General health and safety Personal care/hygiene Budgeting/money/savings Household maintenance And a range of services and activities for personal development. Additionally, we offer one-to-one help with legal issues, benefits and moving forward with life. We also offer mentoring, relationship-building, self-image, confidence therapy, assist with encouraging self-motivation and using local facilities, for example, transport. All in all, Semi-Independent accommodation plays a vital role in a young persons’ journey to independence. We aim to help all individuals under our care feel included and valued, giving them the best headstart in life.

Although the lockdown has been tough on us all, there is one population amongst us who have been particularly vulnerable and upon whom the lockdown has been extremely tough: Children in care.     Just consider for a moment, those amongst us with stable homes and environments, families who love and care for us, and yet we have wound up with anxiety and now live in a state of fear and uncertainty. From the daily death tolls to the unclear restrictions put upon our lives by governments, it’s no wonder the past few months have been hard. But through it all, we normally have a network of people around us we can count on.   However, for children in residential homes, things aren’t as simple. Before the pandemic began, things were already tough for this vulnerable group. Already dealing with limited contact with parents and families, as well as constantly changing environments, the little blanket of security underneath them was ripped away, leaving behind an array of psychological and emotional devastation.      Statistics uncover the impact of COVID-19 for vulnerable children in care   With social restrictions, schools closing and changes to the child’s normal routine being thrown up in the air, the rise in anxiety and depression amongst children and students has increased dramatically.    Save the Children have released recent surveys of a sample of over 6000 children which revealed 65% struggled with feelings of isolation. Feelings of helplessness, loneliness, fear, social exclusion and separation from family, friends or social workers can cause feelings of social isolation and sustained stress, leading to more mental health disorders amongst children.   The World Health Organisation noted the enormous disruption this has had on the lives of young people. When schools closed, children lost the ‘sense of structure and stimulation that is provided by that environment, and now they have less opportunity to be with their friends and get that social support that is essential for good mental well-being’.       Now, combine this with the normal fear’s children experience. Just as adults do, young people also have fears of illness, dying, or losing those they love due to the virus. This type of situation would be extremely overwhelming for the best equipped amongst us, let alone vulnerable children.   Being indoors all the time can also place some children at increased risk of, or increased exposure to, child protection incidents, which in its entirety is a whole other topic.   So, although all children are perceptive to change, young children especially may find the changes that have taken place difficult to understand, and both younger and older children may express irritability and anger. Not to mention that children in care with ADHD and ADD, prone to symptoms of restlessness and edginess, inattentiveness and inability to sit still will find this extremely difficult.     Unicef has also released a report revealing the less-talked-about impacts of the virus hitting vulnerable children in care and their rights, such as:    700 million days of education will be missed between the start of the pandemic and summer, not to mention the limited access to resources available to support children remotely.   Children’s access to healthcare being limited making it harder for children to get the proper care and attention they need.   Coping mechanisms are reduced, which leads to a bigger build-up of anxiety and stress for those children living with mental health conditions.   Online abuse has increased, as online supervision has decreased and predators are utilising more tactics to use on young children.  Children’s voices aren’t heard when decisions are made across the board.    As we can see, the impact of the virus has been severe for children in general, let alone children in care.   So, the question we need to ask is how can we promote health and wellness during and Post-COVID-19 to help children in care face these challenges?   Practical ways to help children in care manage emotional and psychological disturbances       For carers, social workers and those supporting children in care, there is a duty to do their utmost to prevent children from experiencing the full brunt of the pandemic. If you are working with vulnerable children and want to help them manage their fears and overcome the issues they face, please read on and do your best to apply these tips:   Be honest   Give children the love and attention they need to help their fears resolve. Always be honest with them, and take time to explain whatever is happening in a way that is easy for them to understand.   Be calm yourself first  Ensure you aren’t displaying any obvious anxieties or signs of stress yourself. As a carer or someone working closely with children, children may model your responses and how you deal with things. Children are extremely perceptive, and if they can sense your anxiety or stress, this would make the message you are trying to give harder for them to grasp.   Ensure mental health support services are available for children to access freely, even if remotely.   Talk often as changes happen Explain the changes to lockdown restrictions as they come up. Ask them about how they feel about these changes and provide reassurance when needed.  Always make time for fun stuff  Increase the amount of time spent with the children doing positive, uplifting, and engaging activities. These can be cooking, playing games together or watching a movie to help them momentarily switch off from their worries.   Keep up routines  Try to keep their regular routines as consistent as possible. This will promote a sense of safety and security within the child.   Give them time to adjust. There are some big changes that have been happening recently, and children need time. Give them space and wherever possible, arrange catch-ups with those they love remotely, until it is safe to do so in person.   By doing these things and taking proactive steps to help children deal with their uncertainties and troubles, they can feel much more supported. This way, one child at a time, we can help pick up the pieces left from the pandemic and give vulnerable children in care a genuine sense of security and love.    

The events that have taken place in America over the past month have paved the way for a global conversation about race, diversity and the injustices faced by minority groups. Whilst the events were specifically centred on the experiences of African Americans, it is interesting to note one fundamental shift in particular.   Never before have corporations taken a collective stance and publicly declared efforts to tackle racism.   Now, that is new.  The amount of protests and conversations that are being had both online and in-person elude to a brighter tone of conversation this time around. Maybe, just maybe, we will be able to discuss how to effectively promote equality and diversity, and perhaps this time, for some of it to take root.   Collective decisions to promote equality and diversity   If you are amongst one of the workforces who have chosen to speak up about the injustices taking place and have taken steps to ensure it does not happen within your own teams, then kudos. If you are still on your way, this article will talk about useful and effective ways to promote diversity, so that our minorities can experience less racism, and escape the undercurrents of prejudice.  It is also equally important to recognise that these injustices do not only happen in the workplace but also in our schools, care homes and areas relating to vulnerable children. Moreover, it is increasingly important that we protect young people in care from these scarring incidents– they already deal with so much.   Utilizing the Race Framework     The Race Framework, which has been adapted by Stephanie Creary, is a great place to start. It’s perfect for management, both in the middle and at the top, and can help start a productive conversation about race at work or within residential children’s homes.  R – Reducing anxiety by speaking openly about race  No matter who you are, a social worker, a carer, senior staff members, commissioners, children in care, administrative staff, we should all feel comfortable when talking about race. Unfortunately, we aren’t there just yet, and many still feel awkwardness and tensions when discussing these topics. Even not taking into consideration someone’s race can be seen as racism. Moreover, if management can help their staff feel more at ease, by agreeing to norms everyone will observe before these conversations take place, a safe space can be built where conversations are confidential and productive.   A – Acceptance of the fact that anything related to race is either seen or unseen   People often have different ways of perceiving race, and one way to make it a standard part of diversity is to normalize it. Management speaking up about their positive and negative experiences around their own race’s visibility is a great place to start.   C – Calling for internal or external help   Employees or children in care should always have people they can turn to who are professional and have lots of knowledge on the matters at hand. Having someone staff can trust, or whom children who have experienced any form of inequality can go to when they need help, is essential.   E – Expecting that tools and frameworks are needed to work from   Managers shouldn’t go into these conversations empty-handed. Creating practical frameworks and tools to help employees feel like an important part of the conversation when talking about inclusion and equality is crucial.     Erasing Unconscious Biases      The RACE framework is a great starting point; however, we must be brutally honest with ourselves if we want to make a true impact. We all love to think we are not prejudice or objective, but unconscious biases can have damaging impacts on inclusivity, and lead to the ‘invisible’ side of inequality and racism becoming more visible.   The fact of the matter is, research reveals we are drawn to those who are similar to us. It’s when this goes too far that it can pose a threat to our workplaces and environments, causing people to become excluded and workforces to become less diverse.   Here are some practical ways we can combat unconscious bias to promote more equality and diversity-  Know it exists: as long as you don’t think something exists, it can never come to the surface to be worked through and erased. By becoming more aware of it and how it impacts others can help make our decisions more intentional. Categorising the world around us helps us assimilate the vast amount of information that the brain can effectively process. Knowing we have this tendency can help us become more switched on to our unconscious biases and become more open.   Create inclusive practices: whether you’re working with vulnerable children or adults, all of us can work on being more considerate. For example, valuing other’s time, not always sitting next to the same person at lunch, giving critique in a constructive manner are just a few things we can do to decrease unconscious bias.   Take a breather – unconscious bias has been known to excel when things are rushed and decisions are made in a hurry, so step back and wait a moment to rethink things.  Create a broader social circle – getting to know people from different cultural and academic backgrounds can help you understand others better and be more inclusive in general.   Starting from the roots, we can all do our part to help eradicate inequality, biases and racism to contribute to a more diverse and pluralistic society; One where we are given a more equal chance at success, treated fairly and made to feel valuable, despite our background.  

When ‘normal’ no longer exists for a child with ADHD, their world goes into freefall– and so does their state of mind. When the pandemic surfaced and significant societal changes took place, the impact on children in care diagnosed with ADHD was severe. Unable to stick to their essential routines which gave their life the structure they needed, they were suddenly forced to stay indoors with no clarity, and no answers.     This is a frustrating enough scenario for anyone, let alone those battling the most common neurodevelopmental disorder that expresses itself through behaviours such as a short attention span, constant fidgeting, and acting without thinking, to name a few symptoms of ADHD.   How anxiety for children with ADHD manifests    When someone with ADHD worries excessively, this can actually become a threat to their general health. Research shows that up to 40% of people with ADHD also having generalised anxiety disorder, which in combination can have several emotional and physical impacts, such as:   Insomnia or disruption of sleep due to worry   Inability to concentrate   IBS or loss/increase in appetite   Using substances to cope   These are just a few of the ways that those with ADHD express themselves, and as the days indoors continue to add up, things can get even more challenging. In the case of children, they require additional structure and support to manage their behaviours. knowing the most effective ways to help children weather the storm can be essential to keeping them stimulated, entertained and feeling safe.    Great Tips for Entertaining Kids with ADHD at Home      Talk to the school   The teachers at school and support staff are the most experienced with helping children with ADHD. They have probably tried numerous approaches, tools and methods to help children stay focused. Moreover, carers or parents should ask as many questions as they can. Some good things to ask might be ‘What worked in the past to help my child remain focused in class?’ or ‘How much should I be helping them with their work?’, for example.   Have structure and keep it consistent    For children with ADHD, the more uncertainty they have to deal with, the more hectic their lives become. There are several great examples of guides on the internet that help provide younger children with a schedule, so that they know when activities will occur, which is ultimately much more rewarding for them.    Take plenty of breaks    Short bursts of activity work best with young children, especially those with ADHD. Studies reveal that kids can focus for longer periods of time as they grow older, so it is important to take your child’s stage of life into consideration.    Brain Balance Centres provides a good framework to follow:  Average attention spans work out like this:  2 years old: four to six minutes  4 years old: eight to 12 minutes  6 years old: 12 to 18 minutes  8 years old: 16 to 24 minutes  10 years old: 20 to 30 minutes  12 years old: 24 to 36 minutes  14 years old: 28 to 42 minutes  16 years old: 32 to 48 minutes In the case of children with ADHD, these time estimations would most likely need to be further divided, in order to keep them actively engaged and interested. Remember to let the children know upfront what they need to do, within a clear set amount of time and track their progress afterwards when setting tasks.   Mix it up   Alternating activities is a great way to make a child’s day more interesting and keep their mind stimulated. Staggering the schedule of activities, breaking things up and adding in rewards for good behaviour are all constructive ways to help keep children motivated.     Keep it positive   Encouraging communication and reinforcement that is both bold and quick works well for children who have shorter attention spans and struggle to control impulsive behaviour. This resource from Intermountain Healthcare focuses on some great ways to communicate with a child who has ADHD.   Overall, it is important to remain patient! If you have been struggling throughout lockdown, start putting in place these tips, and take time to know what works best in your child’s specific case. As a carer, parent, or professional working with children, it’s important to manage your own expectations too. Don’t expect too much, in too little time. Work on setting small, achievable goals and working up from there, so children who cannot access their usual routines can help to bring more security, stability and ease back into their lives.    

 Looking into the Future of Social Work after the Pandemic  With the vast majority of social workers expressing their frustration caused by Covid-19 and the impact it’s had on their work and the lives of those they support, the field has come under even more scrutiny.     A recent study revealed that over half of all professionals in social work have been put in jeopardy, as the pressure to work despite the significant risk of infection has caused them anxiety and stress.  Consequently, it has been reported that front-line workers are more at risk to develop adverse mental health issues, both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.    Struggling to Deliver Quality Service    Social workers admit to the virus diminishing their efficacy in carrying out their services, and as a result, the vulnerable groups such as children in care and individuals they support have been negatively impacted due to the restrictions.     With the ever-changing landscape of social work, the pandemic has caused a seismic shift in the foundations of how they operate. Here are some reasons why:   Several social workers have found they are unable to meet statutory requirements and responsibilities. This is due to them having to self-isolate, or colleagues falling sick.    Many have developed anxiety due to carrying out duties that put them at a high risk of infection.    The availability of Personal Protective Equipment has been low and unsatisfactory, increasing social workers mental health issues.    What was already a difficult job has now become even more testing, as many staff have taken lengthy times off due to falling ill, or through loved ones getting sick or dying.    Social workers must now weigh up the risks of infecting their own families due to being a front-line worker.    As we can see, the pandemic hasn’t been kind on the profession, and the much-needed help from governments and local councils hasn’t been sufficient enough to provide employees with the support they need.  It is clear to see that the immediate future looks uncertain for social workers, and this is partly due to the lack of clarity in government guidelines.  Until sufficient vaccines are released and made readily available to the majority, social workers have an extremely hard role to handle. They must visit children, individuals and families in the midst of a cacophony of complex situations, all of which increase anxiety.  Since the pandemic, things have become increasingly harder as staff have to work remotely and are at a distance from management. Mentors and peers who could have previously provided 1-1 support are required to keep spirits high, but without the framework they operated with pre-COVID.   With families experiencing increasing amounts of pressure such as coping with children being stuck indoors, and stresses such as being made redundant, the hardships only seem to multiply.  This is also why the role of the social worker has never been more needed within society. As families struggle with poverty from reduced incomes due to the pandemic, it has become harder to gain access to the resources, food and accommodation needed.  What’s on the horizon for social care?      Despite the increasing number of caseloads as a result of staff calling in sick and self-isolating, things haven’t been as bad as expected. During this unexpected and unprecedented catastrophe, social workers have responded magnanimously.   Government guidance has been unclear, and this is especially the case relating to children in care. Many social workers have been unsatisfied with the guidance provided in April, and guidelines have been disputed as duties were too relaxed for vulnerable children.      The positives to come for social workers   Amongst all of the issues, problems and stress put on social workers, there is, in fact, a silver lining to all this. It has been expected that the following benefits will materialise for those in the social care profession:    Public support will increase for social workers.  As referrals for children, families and adults continue to surge, many are realising social worker’s vital role in maintaining the safety of our society. Even down to issues that were kept behind closed doors now coming to light due to lockdown, social workers are being viewed as more valuable than ever before. It has also come to surface that there is a severe lack of funding in the field, which will hopefully bring about positive changes.       Mental health and social work will be closely aligned.  Some of the pressure may be lifted from social workers as covid-19 pushes us to realise the psychological aftermath on people. Specialist mental health social work is moreover becoming more prominent and gaining influence. This is because people are realising after the crisis of a pandemic that people not only need ways to cope, but also that strong social networks are more important than ever.     Working conditions will change for the better.  From self-care resources to flexible working and personal risk assessments, the field is looking to adapt to the new normal, in order to help staff thrive under these difficult circumstances. Those requiring more support, formal or informal, will be given priority.