Use of digital technologies in child and family social work: developing practice
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These three open access videos share findings around the increased use of digital technologies in social work and where there are opportunities to develop person-centred practice going forward.
During the pandemic the use of digital technology in social care practice dramatically increased. This resulted in the widespread use of ‘virtual visits’ in casework where a video call to children and their families replaced home visits.
A Research in Practice briefing explores how COVID-19 affected child protection and what the implications are for future practice. It also examines how organisations can effectively support staff wellbeing in a time where the boundaries between home and office have become increasingly blurred.
Below are three open access videos which share findings around the increased use of digital technologies in social work and where there are opportunities to develop person-centred practice going forward.
The films
Practice is in an in-between state between analogue and digital. What are the implications of this for both practitioners and children and families?
Watch video.
Dr. Laura Kelly shares findings on effective digital practice from ‘Social work and child protection beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Key challenges and good practice.’
How digital has influenced practice within organisations, and how this practice is experienced by social workers, children and families.
Professional Standards
PQS:KSS - Relationships and effective direct work | Communication | Analysis, decision-making, planning and review | Purposeful and effective social work | Designing a system to support effective practice | Support effective decision-making
PCF - Intervention and skills | Contexts and organisations
Social work and child protection beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Key challenges and good practice
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted forms of face-to-face relating between social workers and families in numerous ways. This report explores how it affected child protection and the implications for future effective practice.
Supporting wellbeing remotely: Leaders' Briefing (2021)
This briefing aims to provide evidence-informed guidance to help social care organisations support the wellbeing of practitioners and teams who are working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. It is designed to support sector leaders with responsibility for children and families and adults in making decisions which support wellbeing for practitioners in frontline roles.
Choosing Digital: Embedding digital practice in children's social work
A new dedicated website, Choosing Digital provides a collaborative decision-making tool that recognises the benefits of a blended approach to interaction (both in-person and digital) between young people and their social care workers.
Social media, digital professionalism and CPD: Strategic Briefing (2018)
Understanding social work professional identity in the context of digital and online social engagement is a developing field that is emerging alongside technologies that are becoming increasingly embedded in our lives.