LibGuides: Social Work: Useful Websites

Evaluating Information

Wherever you get your information from it is important that you evaluate the quality of the information. There are many factors that you need to consider when assessing the quality of the information, such as currency, the authority of the writer ...

Here is a link to the Information Source Evaluation Matrix (click on picture), a useful guide that takes you through the factors you need to consider to assess the quality of information you are relying on.

Key websites

British Association of Social Workers
The largest professional association for social work in the UK.
Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE)
Independent charity working with social care and social work services across the UK. The website hosts practical guides and advice for practitioners.
BL Social Welfare Portal
British Library portal listing publications on social welfare, broken down by client groups and issues.
Information for Practice
Resource compiling news and articles aimed at social service professionals, covering professions and research. The website is maintained by US Social Work academics.
Campbell Collaboration Library
The Campbell Collaboration (C2) helps inform decisions by preparing, maintaining and disseminating systematic reviews in social welfare, education and crime and justice.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
One of the largest UK social policy research charities, producing research and publications.
Community Care
Commercial magazine providing news and guidance for social work professionals.
Local child protection procedures
This is the latest operational version of the Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Children Boards Procedures Manual.
The College of Social Work
The College is an independent not for profit membership organisation, providing practical tools and resources to its members to enable them to uphold and strengthen standards of professional practice in social work.

Health & Social Care

Health & Care Professions Council
Body responsible for regulating social work, psychological and health professionals. Replaced the General Social Care Council (GSCC) in August 2012.
Department of Health
Provides strategic leadership for public health, the NHS and social care in England. Reports, legislation and consultations are all available on this website.
NHS Evidence
Web-based portal aimed at NHS, public health and social care sectors, enabling access to authoritative clinical and non-clinical evidence and best practice.

Statistics and Data

National Statistics
The major site for UK government statistics: provides averages and overviews.
Government Data
Unprocessed government datasets, allowing you to perform your own analyses.
Census Data
Overview of data available from the 2011 census and information on census data from other years.
UK Data Service
National service for in-depth economic and social data. Single Sign-on and registration required.

SCIE Research Resources

SCIE research briefings provide concise summaries of the research evidence.

The research mindedness resource will help you make use of research in your studies and your practice.

Social Work: Useful Websites

Evaluating Information

Key websites

Health & Social Care

Statistics and Data

SCIE Research Resources

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