As the Head of Operations and Practice at Cornerstone VR, I am proud to announce that our company has become the first approved partner to deliver the University of Birmingham and Sandwell Children’s Trust’s (SCT) newly developed Research Informed Virtual Relationship-based Practice Training (RIVRT) to social care professionals across the UK.

At Cornerstone VR, we have always believed in the power of technology to drive meaningful change, and this partnership reflects our continued commitment to supporting social care professionals with the best tools available. The RIVRT training, developed through two years of ethnographic research, mirrors our revolutionary approach to learning by immersing participants in challenging, real-world scenarios through virtual reality (VR).

Empowering Social Workers with Innovative Training 

This collaboration enables us to bring an innovative, research-driven solution directly to social workers, whether they are new to the field or seasoned practitioners. The immersive training environment allows users to step into complex child protection cases, developing skills and confidence in managing diverse situations. Participants can virtually experience an 11-month journey with a fictional family, where the decisions of the social worker influence the outcome of the case—allowing them to understand how subtle changes in relational approaches can impact the children and families they support. 

By offering seven in-depth modules that replicate real-life social work visits, the RIVRT training provides a comprehensive learning experience designed to foster empathy and insight. Social workers are not only able to engage in interactive simulations but also reflect on their own practice. This ensures they remain well-equipped to navigate the challenges they face on the ground, improving the overall quality of care provided to children and families. 

Shaping the Future of Social Care Training 

Virtual reality has proven to be a game-changer in many sectors, and we are excited to further promote its application in social care training. As a tech for good company dedicated to improving services across health, education and social care, Cornerstone VR is driven by the belief that immersive learning can truly transform the way professionals engage with complex issues, from child protection to behaviour management.

Our ultimate goal is to help social workers build the resilience, empathy, and critical thinking needed to deliver excellent care. With this new training solution, we are making it possible for professionals to refine their skills in a safe, controlled environment before applying them in the real world.

As our partner, Dr. Tarsem Singh Cooner, Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Birmingham, puts it:

“Together, our goal is to empower social workers to create positive impacts in the lives of the children and families they support.”

Want to learn more about this innovative training?

Reach out to us at info@cornerstonevr.co.uk or visit our webpage here: https://cornerstonevr.co.uk/rivrt/