human services in the network society 1 implications of virtual social work : learning for a change...
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Human Services in the Network SocietyHuman Services in the Network Society 11
Implications of virtual Implications of virtual social work : learning for social work : learning for
a change a change
Jackie RaffertyJackie Rafferty
[email protected]@soton.ac.uk
Human Services in the Network Society 2
Outline of sessionOutline of session
► IntroductionIntroduction Based on research published in 2006Based on research published in 2006
►Brief outline of findings of the research Brief outline of findings of the research re skills required for virtual social work re skills required for virtual social work practicepractice
►Skills development agenda exerciseSkills development agenda exercise
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Rafferty, J. & Waldman, J. (2006) Fit for Social Work Practice, Rafferty, J. & Waldman, J. (2006) Fit for Social Work Practice, Journal of Technology for the Human Services,Journal of Technology for the Human Services, The Haworth The Haworth
Press, New York. Vol. 24(2/3)Press, New York. Vol. 24(2/3)
Based on an evaluation of the first UK open-access Based on an evaluation of the first UK open-access online information, advice and social work support online information, advice and social work support service available to young people (NSPCC)service available to young people (NSPCC)
Paper argues that:Paper argues that:► social workers need to be able to operate social workers need to be able to operate effectively within a fast changing practice effectively within a fast changing practice environment and societal context in which core environment and societal context in which core communication modes are shifting to encompass communication modes are shifting to encompass increasing levels of virtual contact. increasing levels of virtual contact.
►there is a widening gap between this aspiration there is a widening gap between this aspiration and the way ICT skills are currently conceptualised and the way ICT skills are currently conceptualised in social work education. in social work education.
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www.childline.org.uk
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Coping with the shift in powerCoping with the shift in power Responding appropriately Responding appropriately Coping with young people self-harming or Coping with young people self-harming or
expressing suicidal thoughtsexpressing suicidal thoughts Managing endingsManaging endings
Research findings re challenges Research findings re challenges for social workersfor social workers
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Not knowing identity and location Not knowing identity and location Managing lack of case recordManaging lack of case record Providing a sense of continuityProviding a sense of continuity Building trust and expressing empathyBuilding trust and expressing empathy Inadequate keyboard skillsInadequate keyboard skills Developing definitions of good practice Developing definitions of good practice Implications for social work processesImplications for social work processes SupervisionSupervision
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Developing the discourseDeveloping the discourse
To date discourse related to the Internet and, in To date discourse related to the Internet and, in particular, child care practice, has focused largely particular, child care practice, has focused largely upon privacy and paedophilia issues. upon privacy and paedophilia issues.
The immediate need is to move towards a deeper The immediate need is to move towards a deeper analysis of how e-practice differs from traditional analysis of how e-practice differs from traditional social work practice and establish a strategy to social work practice and establish a strategy to begin to address the current deficit.begin to address the current deficit.
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Skills development agendaSkills development agenda
Would like your help in considering the Would like your help in considering the skill challenges against the following skill challenges against the following four headings:four headings:
Education/trainingEducation/training
PracticePractice
PolicyPolicy
ResearchResearch
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Going forwardGoing forward
►Aim is to strengthen the network and to Aim is to strengthen the network and to work to ensure the skills required for work to ensure the skills required for the virtual social worker are embedded the virtual social worker are embedded in education, training and practicein education, training and practice
► If you are willing to join such a network If you are willing to join such a network please let me know. please let me know.
[email protected]@soton.ac.uk