Dear ,

 

We are writing with an update on working in the context of COVID-19, based on member queries and development of our advice. Please get in touch via the ACP office if you have concerns you would like support with (admin@childpsychotherapy.org.uk).

 

Information from the Employment Standards Group 

On 3rd April the Employment Standards Group and the ACP representatives to the Unite Applied Psychology Committee received a question from a senior child psychotherapist. She and her staff had been requested to work, for at least some of the time, in a crisis centre for at-risk adolescents. The child psychotherapist concerned wanted to know if staff could insist: –

  

 

At the time at which this question was received there was not clear guidance from the government on these issues. However shortly afterwards the revised guidance in relation to PPE was received and communicated to the child psychotherapist concerned. Please click here to view the guidance. 

In relation to question 1 our understanding is that currently staff who are self-isolating, have had symptoms, and have a GP certificate can now request to be tested. 
 
In relation to question 2 the Government guidance published on 3rd April states:-

“Employers are under a legal obligation – under Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) – to adequately control the risk of exposure to hazardous substances where exposure cannot be prevented. The provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protective equipment (RPE), will protect staff, patients and visitors. Employees have an obligation to make full and proper use of any control measures, including PPE, provided by their employer.”

A table is included in the guidance identifying the kinds of PPE mental health workers are expected to wear.

In relation to question 3 we have not currently received clear guidance about whether staff can insist that the premises are deep-cleaned. However, the Government guidance can be read here.
 
It may be that deep cleaning falls under these criteria. We have been told that staffside Lockdown agreements with Trusts were being put into place, so your local union staffside representative should be able to give you more information about what you can expect.

The virus situation and Government guidance is changing all the time, and could possibly have changed by the time you are reading this. However, we will do our best to keep you up to date.

Rebanding:

The Employment Standards Group has continued to receive requests for advice in relation to rebanding. We have also received requests for assessors to attend recruitment panels remotely, although in some Trusts recruitment appears to be currently on hold. If you have any queries, requests for assessors, or updates you would like to share, please contact Eve Grainger through the ACP office.

 
Update from the Ethical Practice Group

Members are reminded that the Code of Professional Standards and Ethics continue to be relevant and helpful to protect the public, ACP members and the professional reputation of the ACP. Any concerns about safe and best  practice should be discussed with supervisors and if necessary with a member of the Ethical Practice Group. Please contact Jo Goldsmith at Chair-Ethics@childpsychotherapy.org.uk.

Any complaints received  during this time will be considered in the current context but it will be important to ensure that all young people and the  families of young children are aware of the potential risks of using virtual platforms in terms of confidentiality. We would advise where possible this should be recorded in writing. 


Update on remote working

There have been concerns about the security of some online meeting platforms. We need to remind you to investigate and choose your own platform. We are aware of  a number of members using zoom and for that reason have included instructions on zoom in our guidelines. There are now additional measures you can use on zoom to improve security – including the use of a password for entry to the session/meeting, the facility to lock the meeting once it has started, and the introduction of a “waiting room” which you can admit your patient/parent from. We have produced updated guidance on this here.

You can see an article on different options for online platforms here.

Please also check that your insurer covers you for remote working.

Update from the Independent Practice Group 

Members in private practice seem to be  embracing the  new virtual working environment with enthusiasm despite all the  challenges. Responses from a brief poll indicate that many practitioners initially found the new virtual means of contact  exhausting but feel that things are settling. For the most part it seems patients have adapted well but there have of course been a number for whom this change has not proved suitable and risk management and what to then do has proved challenging. There are common themes of struggling to see if the current adaption to virtual contact  is a ‘holding brief’ or if the same quality of in-depth analytical work can be continued, and there are issues around working with the different age groups and an increase in supportive work with parents. There is also a sense that virtual work does continue to demand an increase in the therapist’s attention and this does remain an important issue in terms of the therapist’s well-being and case load. People working within private practice have also noted a decrease in referrals and, like so many small businesses at the moment, continue to need to monitor how to manage the financial anxiety that these times create. Should any members of the ACP working in private practice feel some support would be helpful do please email Leslie Ironside via the ACP office who can discuss things directly or pass the enquiry to a colleague.

Clinical Trustees:

Please ensure that your clinical trustees have an up to date list of your patients.

Adoption support fund:

If you are working with children and families through the adoption support fund the referring social worker is likely to get in touch as the  DfE have asked that they collate information from therapy providers in relation to how therapists are continuing to work with our families during the COVID-19 outbreak.  They need to ensure that therapists are legally covered by their body of registration and their insurance providers to undertake any virtual support. The ACP is supporting this work and you must check your insurance company covers you for this. 

 
News about the journal

With great reluctance the Journal publishers Taylor and Francis have let the ACP know that the Journal of Child Psychotherapy will not be printed from now until further notice. There are a number of practical reasons for this decision, stemming from multiple disruptions to the distribution supply chain. 

Taylor and Francis reassure members that online access to JCP content is not affected and online publications will continue to be available on the usual schedule.  

When printing is resumed members will receive the print issues that would have been dispatched during the period in which printing ceased. The situation will be kept under review and we will update you accordingly.

The online journal can be accessed through the ACP website. Please ensure you are logged into the member's section of the website.

 
Campaigning – please get involved!

We would like to be able to publicise examples of child psychotherapists responding positively to the challenges of COVID-19 – this could be continuing CAMHS services, working to cover emergencies, supporting NHS staff, innovations in practice in public services or independent practice. Please let us know what you are doing or what is happening in your area.

A lot of concern has been expressed in the media about the heightened levels of domestic and child abuse during the lockdown.  We have supported a campaign by the Parent Infant Foundation to protect babies. We would like to gather data from our membership to establish whether there are problems with safeguarding services in their area, in order to draw attention to the importance of maintaining services. Please let us know if you have thoughts about this.


We are continuing to meet weekly to consider issues affecting the profession, to develop our guidance and to support members.

Kind regards