In April 2020, social workers deeply concerned about disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable residents in nursing homes and a wide range of residential settings, came together to share their professional expertise on how social work was adapting and responding to the needs of residents and their families. Social workers listened to the experiences of residents and families, drew upon existing and evolving messages from research and shared learning, resources and tools developed since the onset of Covid-19 across a range of Irish social work agencies and settings.
The model outlined in this document is informed by this collaborative expertise and provides a way to share learning across the profession so that social workers can provide the psychosocial supports that residents and their families urgently require. The model has been operationalised in varying forms in St Mary’s Hospital in the Phoenix Park, the Navan Road Community Nursing Unit, St Clare’s Community Nursing Unit, Clarehaven Community Nursing Unit, Lusk Community Nursing Unit and CHO 7 in Hollybrook Lodge Residential Care Centre. It has also been adapted for use in mental health services in CHO 9.
McGarry, S., Cuskelly, K., Reilly, P., Coffey, A., Finucane, N., O’Loughlin, A., Casey, L., The Liaison Social Work Role in Nursing Homes and Residential Settings: A Model for Practice. Dublin, Irish Association of Social Workers, 2020, 26 p.
English / Europe / Ireland