Latest information and guidance to support your work under COVID-19

Dear ,

Here is the latest information and guidance to support your work under COVID-19.

New guidance on remote assessment

We have amended slightly the formal guidance on remote working, so that it addresses the question of carrying out assessments remotely. Click here to see the Updated Guidance on Remote Working. The changes are on pages 4 and 5.

Whilst some members may be deciding only to continue working with children and families they were already seeing prior to the COVID-19 crisis, it is clear that it is possible and may be necessary to undertake some assessments remotely and, where appropriate, to commence treatment.

We have drawn up Further Guidance on Remote Assessment to support those members undertaking assessments remotely to do so safely and effectively and to consider whether offering an assessment remotely is clinically indicated. This advice is being provided via this email to members only and will not be available on the website.

Webinar - online technology and the provision of mental health services

We are delighted to let you know that our CEO, Nick Waggett, has recorded a webinar in which he discusses what we can learn from the experience of remote and online working during the COVID-19 pandemic for the future provision of mental health services. Drawing on doctoral research on the impact of technology on organisational process, and recent experience of the ACP’s response to COVID-19, he argues that the many potential benefits of technology and online working will not be realised if we do not learn fully from this experience. Instead the risk is that a partial view of the efficiencies of online technology is implemented as being an ideal model which in reality does not meet the needs of many service users and places an excessive burden of anxiety on staff. To engage thoughtfully and creatively with these new opportunities an environment is needed where anxiety can be moderated and decisions made that are clinically led rather than being technologically determined.

View here

Child psychotherapy training and trainees

We understand the unique challenges that the pandemic has thrown up for training schools and trainees. We are in the process of working with the five ACP-accredited training schools to establish a framework for considering what kind and degree of flexibility is needed for trainees qualifying this year and in the coming years, and also for consideration of the requirements for entry into the training. We will make an announcement as soon as possible.

NSPCC guidance on safeguarding in schools under COVID-19

NSPCC has drawn up a very helpful summary of the guidance for UK schools on safeguarding during the pandemic. This can been seen here

Sources of funding for mental health provision under COVID-19

As well as the Coronavirus Mental Health Response Fund, made available by Government through Mind, a number of bodies have launched funding programmes to enable local organisations to respond to the many challenges of the pandemic.A list of a wide range of organisations and the types of funding they offer is available here.

Some may be relevant to mental health services. For example the National Survivor User Network has grants up to £1000 to support peer support, community action and mutual aid for mental health during COVID-19.

The future of health services under COVID-19

A new NHS Providers report on the difficulties NHS Trusts will face moving forward through the COVID-19 crisis warns of an increase in demand for mental health services.

It was published today on the same day an open letter from the Health Foundation, King’s Fund and Nuffield Trust highlights the months it will take to restart many health and care services.

The report from NHS Providers identifies a future surge in additional demand for mental health services on top of those who haven’t been accessing help through the crisis, with the report highlighting a significant reduction in the number of referrals for services such as CAMHS and IAPT.

Online seminars

Confer is offering a series of online seminars on “Therapy in the time of COVID” which examine the impact of the current COVID-19 crisis on individuals, couples and families through the eyes of practitioners.

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)

Association of Child Psychotherapists

Fivefields
8-10 Grosvenor Gardens
London, SW1W 0DH
United Kingdom

admin@childpsychotherapy.org.uk

020 4591 1500