Dear ,

 

We are writing with an update on working in the context of COVID-19.

Update on remote working  - new referrals
We have made a small change to the Guidelines on Remote Working, to address the need for members to be able to start new work with children and young people online, including doing assessments. We are working on more detailed guidance for this area of work which we will publish soon.

Child Psychotherapy Training during the COVID-19 crisis
During this exceptional period, whilst coping with the new demands of working and living during a pandemic, we want to support patients and the NHS in the best ways possible.  Together with the five accredited training schools for CAPPT training, we have agreed a statement clarifying that as a profession we wish to work to support patients and NHS services as well as to protect and develop the next generation of NHS clinicians and that we believe this can be managed together. The statement which can be seen here represents the current position of the ACP on the roles of and supports for trainee CAPPTs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding available from the Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund
Mental health providers are invited to bid for funding from this scheme administered by Mind on behalf of the UK government. More details here.

Government support for vulnerable children
The Secretary of State for Education has made a statement about support for families and staff via the Department of Education which you might find it helpful to read.

It includes a link to the government guidance on support for vulnerable children.

 

WATCH ME PLAY! is an approach developed in a Tavistock mental health service for children in care which has been found useful in a range of contexts. The approach offers a way for clinicians to reach out and support families during this time when other treatments may be on hold. It promotes child-led play, individual attention from caregivers, talking with children about their play and reflecting with caregivers on their experience of watching their child play. The manual and a leaflet, Why Play Matters, can be accessed here.

 

The next online group discussion for practitioners about Watch Me Play will be on Thursday 30 April from 11.00 - 12.15. For more information, please email Jenifer Wakelyn: jwakelyn@tavi-port.nhs.uk

Guidance for Psychological Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic
NHS England have now formally published Guidance for Psychological Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic. This is an update of the guidance produced by the Psychological Professions Network and professional bodies that we circulated previously. The statement sets out the principles we are all working to during the pandemic and makes important points that are especially relevant to those working in public services, regarding redeployment, maintenance of mental health services especially for the most vulnerable and at risk, and protection of staff required to continue face-to-face working. It also states that psychological professionals are key workers for the purposes of receiving services such as schooling for their children. There are also important statements about training and remote working. We encourage all members in the NHS to use this document and to liaise as necessary with their trust’s lead for psychological professions.

PPWG Guidance on Remote Working

A second document from the Psychological Professions Network is detailed Guidance on Remote Working which pulls together advice from government and all relevant professional bodies including the ACP. The document contains:

• A summary of the pre- and post-COVID-19 guidance around remote delivery of services and information governance issues of relevance to the psychological professions

• Links to current national and regulatory body guidance regarding remote delivery of services

• Links to current guidance issued by the professional bodies and other relevant organisations for the psychological professions

• Sources of information to support the wellbeing of staff during the COVID-19 pandemic

• A guide for psychological professionals involved in remote delivery of services

We would like to be able to publicise examples of child psychotherapists responding positively to the challenges of COVID-19. Please let us know what you are doing or what is happening in your area at admin@childpsychotherapy.org.uk

 

The ACP COVID-19 Response Team are continuing to meet weekly to consider issues affecting the profession, to develop our guidance and to support members.

Please get in touch via the ACP office at admin@childpsychotherapy.org.uk if you have concerns you would like support with.

 
Kind regards,

 

COVID-19 Response Team 

Marie Bradley (Director of Scientific Development)
Francesca Calvocoressi (Director of Professional Standards)
Lydia Gilbert (Member Engagement and Administrative Officer)
Jo Goldsmith (Chair of Ethical Practice Group)
Eve Grainger (Lead of Employment Standards Group)
Leslie Ironside (Lead of Independent Practice Group)
Jessica Jarmon (Business Manager)
Jason Kaushal (Director of Training)
Julia Mikardo (Unite the Union)
Isobel Pick (Chair)
Kate Robertson (Vice-Chair)

Janet Shaw (Registrar)
Nick Waggett (CEO)