Information and resources for practitioners
This page brings together information and resources from across the sector to support frontline practitioners at Youth Information, Advice and Counselling Services (YIACS).
This page is a constant work in progress - we will add information and resources as they come to our attention. Do you have any suggestions for resources to add to this page? E-mail our Communications and Digital Officer, Jonathan: Jonathan@youthaccess.org.uk
Guidance and resources for remote services
Practice guidance and resources, including template policies and forms, for delivering remote services.
Information for supporting young people through the crisis
Information and resources to help you support and advise young people on mental health, legal and financial issues resulting from the coronavirus crisis.
Training and CPD opportunities
Online training programmes to give you the skills you need to deliver high quality remote services.
Resources to promote wellbeing
Resources to help you and your colleagues protect your mental health and wellbeing during the crisis.
Guidance and resources for remote services
10 tips for facilitating Zoom meetings with young people
- We've put together a list of top tips for getting the most out of Zoom to create safe and engaging online spaces for young people. Read it here.
Association for Counselling and Therapy Online (ACTO) resources:
- Advice and guidance for clients and non-ACTO therapists on accessing and delivering therapy online during the coronavirus outbreak.
- Guidance on self-care when working online [pdf].
- Note on whether Skype is a suitable tool for online therapy, and why Zoom may be more suitable [pdf].
- 10-point guide to using Zoom for therapists and their clients [pdf].
- A website dedicated to digital youth work in Europe, including best practices, training materials, guidelines and tips. Access the site here.
- A free ebook guide to leading online courses, meetings, trainings and events during the coronavirus pandemic. Download it here [pdf]
- This guide was produced in 2017 as part of our Digitalk project, and includes practical information on things like safeguarding, choosing the right platform and creating safe and welcoming online communities for young people. Full info and free download here.
Mural: Guide to Facilitating Remote Workshops
- A guide from the creators of Mural, a digital workspace for visual collaboration, on facilitating remote workshops. Download it here.
Safer Internet Centre: Video Conferencing for Children: Safeguarding and Privacy Overview
- A look at the safeguarding and privacy features of some popular video conferencing apps, including Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts and Zoom. Read the overview here.
Youth Work Support: Information portal for youth workers
- Resources, information and guidance for youth workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Browse the portal here.
Visyon: Guidelines and consent form for remote counselling
- Documents from Youth Access member Visyon which could help you when developing your own policies and documents for remote counselling. Please note that these are documents produced for Visyon staff - other organisations will need to research and do what is right and safe for their organisation and clients, in line with the latest guidance.
Information for supporting young people through the crisis
- Guidance for education settings and local authorities about children supported through social care, with EHC plans or identified as vulnerable by their school or local authority. Read it here.
- Briefing for mental health services on supporting children and young people during the covid-19 outbreak, including information on mental health support implications of emergency legislation, medicines, safeguarding children, youth isolation and loneliness, young carers and advice and guidance for children, young people and their families. Read the full briefing here [pdf].
MedAct: Supporting migrants to healthcare access during this crisis
- Blog from MedAct on ensuring that migrants are able to access the healthcare they are entitled to during the crisis. Read it here.
NSPCC: 5 steps to update your safeguarding policies and procedures
- Five steps to help you consider what updates your organisation might need to make to your policies and procedures to ensure children are kept safe. Read it here.
- Support for advice workers throughout the coronavirus crisis, including:
- Safeguarding information and guidance, including for volunteers helping others through the crisis, and using technology and social media to work with children and young people at risk. Find all the information here.
Youth Justice Legal Centre (part of Just for Kids Law): Legal updates
- Updates on legislation and caselaw and the implications for supporting young people in criminal justice settings during the pandemic. Find all the updates here.
Youth Work Support: Information portal for youth workers
- Resources, information and guidance for youth workers during the coronavirus pandemic. Browse the portal here.
Training and CPD opportunities
Academy for Online Counselling & Psychotherapy CPD Courses
- A variety of CPD courses which also count towards a Modular Diploma in Online Counselling & Psychotherapy or can be used towards your CPD portfolio. £95 per course. Find out more here.
BIHR: Training on human rights during the coronavirus outbreak
- The British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) is offering bespoke training packages for organisations on human rights during the coronavirus outbreak. Find out more here.
Kate Anthony: COVID19 Telehealth course: Moving your practice online
- 8-10 hour course specially created to keep the mental health profession going during the coronavirus emergency. This training does not qualify you as an online therapist. Pay what you can. Find out more here.
- Free courses for you to learn digital skills to stay safe and connected. Find out more here.
- A variety of online courses on delivering online support from The Mix. Find out more here.
- Training on protecting children from increased online risk. 4 hours, £35 per person. Find out more here.
Online Events: 'Behind the Screen' - Working Online
- A video series providing an up-to-date overview of the opportunities and challenges that exist for therapists working in a technological age. Find out more here.
Open University: How to do counselling online: a coronavirus primer
- 6 hours CPD in online counselling for qualified practitioners. Find out more here.
Resources to promote wellbeing
- 10 tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus.
- 7 simple tips to tackle working from home.
- Mental wellbeing while staying at home.
- A collection of home-based, creative ways to support mental health during these unique and uncertain times, including links to a variety of free online cultural experiences. Browse here.
Mental Health Foundation: How to look after your mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak
- Collection of resources to help you improve and protect your mental health, including while working, staying at home and looking after children. Find all the advice here.
- Templates for Wellness Action Plans to protect workplace mental health, as well as guides to Wellness Action Plans for employees and managers.
Psychology Today: Dealing with Zoom anxiety
- Article on what leads to Zoom anxiety and how to reduce it. Read it here.
Small Charities Coalition: Guide to better mental health and wellbeing during Covid-19
- A guide to looking after your mental health and wellbeing, including sections on working from home, friends, community and family, exercise and personal happiness. Find it here [pdf].
