Explore and learn to manage the impact of self-isolation and social distancing on yourself and vulnerable social groups.
4,707 enrolled on this course
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
1 hour100% online
How it works
Social Care During COVID-19: Coping with Self-Isolation and Social Distancing
Learn coping strategies to respond to the impact of COVID-19 social distancing
The increase in anxiety and uncertainty due to COVID-19 is placing increased pressure on the social care workforce, as well as those receiving help.
This pandemic has highlighted a need for enhanced social care within communities, such as individuals relying on neighbors and local services.
On this course, you’ll explore the impact of self-isolation and social distancing on social care, as well as the added vulnerabilities that COVID-19 may create.
You’ll make sense of your experiences, gain different perspectives, and explore ways of coping with the challenges of living in a pandemic when you’re giving or relying on social care.
Syllabus
Week 1
Surviving Isolation: The Need for Certainty
Introducing Ourselves and the Course
Learners are invited to introduce themselves to their peers. The course creators share their reflections and hopes for the design of the programme and we provide an overview of the content.
Change Curve: The Three Phases and Five Stages of Change
We share the Change Curve, tracking the three phases and five stages of change, considered by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. This model will be introduced each week, to invite us to evaluate the impact of change.
Case Study: Angela and Chrissy
We are introduced to Angela and Chrissy and the first of four conversations between them, about their experiences of the pandemic.
Four Stages of Pandemic Response
We are introduced to a model that reflects four stages of our emotional, cognitive and social responses to a pandemic. These comprise of Survival, Sense Making, Acceptance and Growth.
Preparing to End Week One
These exercises bring the week to an end and invite you to reflect on your learning and look forward to next week.
Week 2
Sense Making: The Quest for Understanding
Welcome to Week 2: Catching up with Angela and Chrissy
We introduce the theme of week two and catch up with Angela and Chrissy's stories, since we last saw them.
Exploring the Impact of Change
This activity will invite learners to explore the impact of unwanted change through a visualisation exercise and noting your responses to viewing some art work.
Four Stages of Pandemic Response
This week we refer back to the model which we introduced in week one and look at the stage of Sense Making
Possible Reactions to a Pandemic
A table is shared which categorises a range of possible reactions people have to a pandemic. It invites learners to evaluate their own responses and share some of these with others.
Preparing to End Week Two
These exercises provide an opportunity to reflect on the learning from the session and share with your peers. We then look forward to week three.
Week 3
Making Meaning: The Search for Acceptance
Welcome to Week 3: Catching up with Angela and Chrissy
We introduce the theme of week three and catch up with Angela and Chrissy's stories.
Four Stages of Pandemic Response
In week one we introduced this model and looked at the Survival stage. Last week we explored the Sense Manging stage and the week we consider the Acceptance stage.
The Impact of the Pandemic on Social Workers
This activity provides an opportunity to watch a video of a social worker talking about her observations of the impact of the pandemic on social workers, their practice and the people they support.
Preparing to End Week Three
These exercises give us the opportunity to consider how the session has resonated with us before we look forward to week four.
Week 4
Resilience and Growth: Imagining the Future
Welcome to Week 4: Catching up with Angela and Chrissy
We introduce the theme of week four and catch up with Angela and Chrissy to hear about their experiences this week.
Four Stages of Pandemic Response
In week 1 we introduced this model and have been focusing on a different stage each week. In week 1 we looked at Survival, in week 2 we considered Sense Making and last week we explored Acceptance. This week we look at Growth.
Poem: And the People Stayed Home...
This prose poem by Kitty O'Meara depicts a reflection from a future perspective, inviting us to imagine the pandemic in the distant past.
Appreciating Our Experiences
This activity introduces the model of Appreciative Inquiry and invites us to evaluate the present and consider our hopes for the future.
Preparing to End Week Four
This session provides some opportunities to reflect on the learning from the session and the whole course. We consider what you would like to share with peers and what you will take away.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore some of the current and future changes for society and the social care workforce in particular, brought about by self-isolation and social distancing, since the onset of COVID-19
- Identify a range of reactions people may have to a global pandemic or crises
- Explore the concept of ‘vulnerability’ and how this may be defined within the context of self-isolation and social distancing
- Explore how the impact of a pandemic affects individuals differently at different times and what some of these differences and circumstances may be
- Identify the reactions and impacts of self-isolation and social distancing, which are particular to yourself individually
- Explore ways of addressing the impact of factors such as self-isolation and social distancing for yourself and others
- Explore a range of coping strategies to help yourself or others to address the impact of self-isolation and social distancing
- Evaluate the effectiveness of a range of coping strategies on yourself and others
- Discuss with others interested in the impact of self-isolation and social distancing on those connected to the social care workforce
- Reflect on the learning from the course and what this might help you with in the future as the landscape of COVID-19 unfolds
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for social care professionals, including residential, domiciliary, and home-based carers.
It will also be useful for anyone struggling with self-isolation and social distancing who would like to learn how to address their feelings and develop coping strategies.
Who will you learn with?
I am a social worker and senior lecturer at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. I am interested in the emotional and psycho-social landscape of social work practice.
I work at the Tavistock & Portman NHS FT as a Clinical Psychologist for the Team Around the Practice (TAP) and Curriculum Developer in the trust's Directorate of Education & Training.
I work at the Tavistock & Portman NHS FT as Portfolio Manager for Social Care, Leadership in the trust's Directorate of Education & Training and as an organisational and leadership consultant.
Ways to learn | Subscribe & save | Buy this course | Limited access |
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Choose the best way to learn for you! | $349.99 for one year Automatically renews | $109/one-off payment | Free |
Develop skills to further your career | Fulfill your current learning need | Sample the course materials | |
Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 5 Dec 2024 |
Access to 1,000+ courses | tick | cross | cross |
Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
Certificate when you're eligible | Digital only | Printed and digital | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Subscribe & save
$349.99 for one year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 5 Dec 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) |
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Learning on FutureLearn
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- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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