Using a mentalising approach in social care: Frontline Briefing (2025)
Introduction
This briefing introduces the concept of mentalising—the ability to understand our own and others' thoughts, feelings, and intentions—and its relevance in practice. It introduces mentalising theory and practical guidance for professionals working with both adults and children to enhance communication, relationships, and emotional regulation.
Professional Standards
PQS:KSS - Relationships and effective direct work | Communication | Child development | Developing excellent practitioners | Effective use of power and authority | Purposeful and effective social work | Developing excellent practitioners | Person-centred practice | Direct work with individuals and families | Supervision, critical analysis and reflection | Developing confident and capable social workers | Assuring good social work practice and development
CQC - Caring | Responsive | Effective
PCF - Critical reflection and analysis | Diversity and equality
RCOT - Understanding relationship | Collaborative | Communication | Identify needs
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14/10 | Reflecting on your learning from the ‘Working with trauma- experienced parents in children’s social care’ video resources
This knowledge exchange event, facilitated by Dr Sheena Webb, will support practitioners who have completed the learning programme 'Working with trauma-experienced parents in children's social care'. This session will support practitioners to review learning and embed trauma-aware practice with children and families.
Innovation, Contextual Safeguarding and trauma-informed practice
How can we ensure that our services, policies and procedures are set up to avoid harm? New open access Research in Practice resources explore innovation in response to extra-familial risks.
Understanding autism - a neurodiversity approach to supporting children and young people: Video learning resources
These short films explore the importance of building a positive and constructive understanding of autism so that our work with autistic children, young people and their families is collaborative, meets their individual needs and promotes their self-acceptance.
Supervision: Change Project
Everyone working in social care should have supervision. These Change Project resources suggest that the ultimate purpose of supervision in adult social care is to promote the wellbeing of adults and carers – and that this is achieved through keeping them at the centre of supervision.
Equity: Change Project
Use intersectionality to explore the practices, attitudes and actions needed to overcome barriers, challenge oppression and increase equity in adult social care.