General Resources

The Quality Protects Programme is a three-year programme, which is designed to improve the management of children's services. An essential read for social work students.

Department of Health: Health and Social Care Topics contains subsections on a comprehensive range of topics in healthcare and social care such as social care, care services efficiency delivery, learning disabilities, vulnerable adults, community equipment services and sensory impairment. Categorised policy documents, non-clinical guidance, newsletters, links and other resources can also be accessed here.

Community Care articles is a useful site which includes a searchable archive of Community Care articles, a guide to the main state welfare benefits, an extensive database of contact details for services departments at UK local authorities. Also includes a news section, job vacancies, details of publications, including a downloadable version of Community Care's Purchasing Guide Database, an events diary, an index of articles published from January 1999 to June 1999 and links to other sites.

Children and Families guidance assists local authorities in their role as corporate parents to safeguard and promote the education of children and young people in public care.

The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) is a global organisation striving for social justice, human rights and social development through the development of social work, best practices and international cooperation between social workers and their professional organisations.

The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) is the UK-wide, statutory organisation responsible for promoting, approving and assuring the quality of education and training for social work and social care staff in the personal social services.

The British Association of Social Workers is the largest professional association representing social work and social workers in the UK.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is the UK's largest independent social policy research and development charity.

Direct Gov is your local authority online, where you are able to find out about local disability services and information on topics such as legislation, employment, financial support, home and housing options, health and support, education and training and rights and obligations. www.google.com

Social Care Organisations and Professional Bodies

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Internet Social Worker Tutorial is designed to assist social workers in using the internet more effectively for studying, teaching or research.

General Social Care Council (GSCC) is the social care workforce regulator. It registers social care workers and regulates their conduct and training.

The NHS Confederation is the website of the National Association for Health Authorities and Trusts.

The Social Care Association is a professional association for everyone involved in social care.

Skills for Care provides news and information on developments in training requirements in the social care field

Unison is the largest union for local authority staff, providing a wide variety of services to its members.

Research and Information Resources

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The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is the UK's largest independent social policy research and development charity.

Internet Social Worker Tutorial is designed to assist social workers in using the internet more effectively for studying, teaching or research.

Social Care Institute of Excellence: Social Care Online here you can access the UK's most complete range of information and research on all aspects of social care - for free. With new content added daily by SCIE's experienced information professionals, you can find information about all aspects of social care, from fostering, to mental health, to human resources and much more. Content is gathered from a range of resources including journal articles, Websites, research reviews, legislation and government documents, and service user knowledge.

Sociological Research offers online Articles on applied sociology.

Children and Families

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Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach to the well-being of children and young people from birth to age 19.

Children UK is a web magazine published by the Institute of Childcare and Social Education.

The Children's Society is one of the largest and most innovative children's charities in Britain, working with nearly 40,000 children and young people every year helping to find solutions to the very real and serious problems they face.

Kidscape is the only national children's charity that focuses upon preventative policies - tactics to use before any abuse takes place. Kidscape has practical, easy to use material for children, parents, teachers, social workers, police and community workers.

The National Children's Bureau (NCB) is a registered charity that promotes the interests and wellbeing of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives.

National Association for the Children of Alcoholics is a national non profit organisation working on behalf of children of alcoholics, advocating for all children and families affected by alcoholism.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is a Charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children

NCH Action For Children works with Britain's children to help them develop self-esteem, and supports their families and communities in caring for them.

Fostering and Adoption

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The Adoption Information Line is a valuable resource for prospective adopters and professionals to consult.

The Fostering Information Line is a resource for prospective foster carers and professionals, sister organisation to the Adoption Information Line.

British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering is a membership organisation for agencies and individuals concerned with adoption, fostering and work with children & families.

Resources for people with disabilities

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Disability Net is a world wide information service for people with disabilities and those interested in disability issues.

Disability Now gives a whole range of useful information: articles, links, adverts and an archive. An online version of the magazine.

Assist UK leads a UK wide network of locally-situated Disabled Living Centres. Each centre includes a permanent exhibition which provides the opportunity to see and try products and equipment and get information and advice from professional staff about what might suit them best.