Abstract
Social work is an inherently mobile and spatial profession; child protection social workers travel to meet families in diverse contexts, such as families' homes, schools, court and many more. However, rising bureaucracy, managerialism and workloads are all combining to push social workers to complete increasing volumes of work outside their working hours. Such concerns lead to the perception that social workers are increasingly immobilised, finding themselves desk-bound and required to spend much of their working day navigating time-consuming computer systems. This immobilisation of social workers has considerable implications, restricting professionals' abilities to undertake the face-to-face work required to build relationships with families. However, until now, the actual movements of social workers, and how (lack of) movement affects ability to practice, remain unknown. In this paper we report on innovative research methods using GPS [Global Positioning System] devices that can trace social workers' mobilities and explore the use of office space, home working and visits to families in two English social work departments. This article presents unique findings that reveal how mobile working is shaping social care practitioner wellbeing and practice.
Highlights
Social work is an inherently mobile and spatial profession
Emerging evidence suggests the emphasis on completing managerial targets coupled with increasing workloads - is pushing social workers to carry out increasing volumes of work outside their contracted hours (Ravalier, 2018; Unison UK, 2017)
Social workers and managers often spoke of working at home, or at the very least thinking about work beyond the confines of the office
Summary
Social work is an inherently mobile and spatial profession. Child protection social work occurs in, and necessitates visiting, diverse spaces, such as homes, schools, courts, hospitals and many more. Emerging evidence suggests the emphasis on completing managerial targets coupled with increasing workloads - is pushing social workers to carry out increasing volumes of work outside their contracted hours (Ravalier, 2018; Unison UK, 2017) Such concerns lead to the perception that social workers are increasingly immobilised, finding themselves desk-bound and required to spend much of their working day sedentary, navigating time-consuming computer systems (Munro, 2005; Munro, 2011). In this paper we draw upon mapping techniques used in geography (see Jones, Drury, & McBeath, 2011; Jones & Evans, 2012) Through this approach we were able to understand the movements of a full working day from a sample of child protection social workers from the moment they left their home to the final moments of their working day, often late in the evening completing case notes and reports at home. In doing so it presents GPS technology as a powerful tool for mixed-methods research in social work
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