E-social Work Research Articles

Digital social work or e-social work? Towards social work in a digital environment

The goal of this paper is to summarise and remark on contemporary issues of emerging social work in the digital environment, which were accelerated by social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the concepts of e-social work and digital social work. We debate where the boundaries of social work in the digital environment are and whether it constitutes a new, distinct branch of social work. We investigate the process and barriers to enhancing social workers’ digital capabilities (using the Technology Acceptance Model, SAMR theory, and Digital Natives-Digital Immigrants contexts). We analyse the key advantages and disadvantages of social work in the online setting.

Ethical challenges of social work in Spain during COVID-19

This article presents the main ethical challenges faced by social work professionals in Spain during the "first wave" of COVID-19 in 2020. The pandemic had a serious impact not only on the health sector, but also in the field of social work. During this time, social workers had to address serious ethical questions regarding issues such as confidentiality breaches, how to fairly distribute available resources, the lack of personal contact and emotional connection with the service users, the difficulties of working in isolation and online, doubts about the reliability of the information they were handling and the difficulty of making proper diagnoses. An international research group led by Dr. Sara Banks conducted a broader research project in collaboration with the International Federation of Social Workers, which collected information through an online questionnaire aimed at social workers from various countries. In this article we analyse the results related to the main ethical challenges faced by social workers in Spain. The research group identified two types of ethical challenges that they have separated into two sections: the first section is related to direct intervention with users, which includes topics such as the lack of emotional support, reliability, use of technology, the appropriate care, compliance with the highest professional standards, confidentiality, vulnerability, and the fair distribu-tion of resources. The other section is related to the ethical challenges around the daily work within social entities, which involved dealing with issues such as the e-social work and coordination difficulties, the management of pressure in social bodies and changes in the intervention methodology. Keywords: Social work ethics, pandemic, international research, COVID

E-social Work: The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Human communities' social and economic activities worldwide were significantly disrupted by the First and SecondIndustrial Revolutions. Social work practice has always been based heavily on "face-to-face" interactions. The traditionalpractice of social work may soon be disrupted by new technologies from the Third and Fourth Industrial Revolutions,including computers, mobile devices etc. The scope of social work practice in the 21st century has expanded with theintroduction of e-social work and social work informatics. The ramifications of social work education will be looked at inthis essay. Cross-sectional knowledge and information sharing were insufficient in the information society (Society 4.0),and cooperation was challenging. The difficulty of extracting the necessary information from the abundance of informationand then analyzing it was a burden. The effort and range of action were constrained by age and varied aptitude levels.Additionally, it was challenging to respond appropriately due to a number of constraints on problems like a decliningbirth rate, an elderly population, and local depopulation.

PRACTICE OF SOCIAL WORK IN SOCIAL MEDIA: ETHICAL ISSUES

Electronic social work (e-social work) is a new platform for social work. Social media allows social workers to go beyond the traditional format of providing services, which allows them to reach a wider range of the population and increase their accessibility. However, the provision of social services through social media has many features, which creates ethical problems. The purpose of the study is to identify and analyze ethical problems in social work through social networks. This study uses two specific cases of social practitioners, workers who provide services through social media and interviews with people who have had experience receiving social services through social media. The article examines the ethical problems faced by practicing social workers when providing assistance through social networks. In the course of this study, a number of ethical problems related to the specifics of providing services through social media were identified. Recommendations were offered to solve the identified problems and to minimize risks for the client and for the social worker. The article emphasizes the need to acquire skills and competencies to comply with ethical standards when providing services through social media. To achieve the research goal, such qualitative research methods as case-study and in-depth interview were used. The results of this study can be used for further development of theoretical and empirical research in social work, as well as by social services, practicing social workers to improve their activities. Keywords: social media, case-study, ethical issues, difficult life situation, informatization, electronic social work

SOCIAL WORK 4.0? THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION: A SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

The First and Second Industrial Revolutions created significant disruptions in the social life and economic activities of human societies globally. Traditionally, social work practice has had a strong “face-to-face” foundation. Emerging technologies in the Third and Fourth Industrial Revolutions such as computers, mobile technologies, big data, internet of things, artificial intelligence and virtual reality are now creating a potential disruption in the traditional practice of social work. The emergence of e-social work and social work informatics broadens the scope of practice of social work in the 21st century. This article will examine the implications for social work education.

Practicing e-social work (benefits & obstacles) An applied study to some social agencies in Asyut Governorate

The current study problem was to identify the benefits and obstacles of practicing electronic social work. The aims of the study were: 1- Determining the reasons for the need to practice electronic social work. 2- Determining the benefits of practicing electronic social work. 3- Monitoring the obstacles facing electronic social work. 4- Providing a set of recommendations to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of social agencies in the practice of electronic social work. The study's questions were as follows: 1- What are the reasons for the need to practice electronic social work? 2- What are the benefits of practicing electronic social work ? 3- What are the obstacles to practicing electronic social work ? 4- What are the proposals to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of social agencies in practicing electronic social work? This study is considered a descriptive.It has benefited from the social survey method. Data were collected by a hand delivered questionnaire form a non-random sample of 40 social workers working in some social agencies in Asyut Governorate (12 agencies). the most important results of the study was answering all its questions, including: that there was an urgent and necessary need to practice electronic social work; there are benefits arising from the practice of electronic social work ; and that there are obstacles facing the practice of electronic social work. At the end of the study, a set of recommendations were presented to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of social agencies in practicing electronic social wor

Adopting e-Social Work Practice: Pedagogical Strategies for Student Decision Making to Address Technology Uncertainty

ABSTRACT Student technology uncertainty was investigated in an introductory e-Social Work (e-SW) practice course. e-SW practice includes technology-mediated advocacy, research, and services delivery. A convergent parallel mixed methods design included pre- and post-test e-SW self-efficacy surveys and student reflections. There were significant measurable changes in the practice self efficacy scale and sub-scales. Thematic analysis demonstrated the course addressed student needs for increasing their knowledge and confidence prior to engaging in e-SW practice. Privacy and security regulation compliance showed the least increase in self-efficacy and should be an area for further development in future e-SW courses. The findings contribute to a growing literature supporting the need for investment in harnessing technology for future growth in the field of social work.

E-Social Work en España: análisis de los blogs profesionales

La revolución digital y las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación han modificado en muy poco tiempo los medios de aprendizaje, las relaciones interprofesionales y las interacciones profesional-usuario en el ámbito del trabajo social. Se presenta un estudio pionero en el campo profesional, centrado en una de las dimensiones menos investigadas hasta ahora del E-Social Work: los blogs especializados en trabajo social. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio que pretende, en primer lugar, identificar el alcance de los blogs de trabajo social españoles en el contexto global de Internet (mediante la utilización de las herramientas analíticas globales Alexa y Majestic) y, en segundo lugar, explorar (mediante una encuesta online a bloggers de trabajo social en España), si existe una comunidad virtual temática en trabajo social, cuáles son sus características, y si los blogs son, o pueden llegar a ser, nuevas herramientas de socialización profesional. Los resultados muestran algunas diferencias entre los bloggers y sus bitácoras y evidencian el hecho de que las redes virtuales cada vez son más densas entre profesionales que colaboran en la creación de una cultura profesional compartida.

E-social work: an empirical analysis of the professional blogosphere in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy

ABSTRACTIn just a very short period of time, the digital revolution and new information and communication technologies have changed the media of learning, inter-professional relationships, and interactions between social work professionals and users. This study, pioneered in Europe, examines one of the least researched dimensions of e-social work: social work blogs in four countries of Southern Europe with long-standing socio-cultural ties (France, Italy, Portugal and Spain). This exploratory study seeks two aims. The first is to identify the scope of social work blogs, in the overall context of the Internet, using the Alexa and Majestic global analytical tools. The second is to determine through an online survey of social work bloggers (in these four countries) if there is a thematic virtual community in social work, what its characteristics are, and if the blogs are, or can become, new tools for professional socialisation. The results reveal some differences by countries and that although virtual networks are not yet widespread, an increasing number of social work practitioners have begun to collaborate in creating a shared professional culture.

Educational potential of e-social work: social work training in Spain

ABSTRACTInformation and communication technologies (ICTs) have enhanced peer communication and contributed to social change and, as such, have become an essential tool in the initial training and professional development of future social work practitioners. In the new millennium, it is particularly important to provide the foundations for delivering appropriate interventions in the fields of social education, social services, healthcare and development cooperation. To face these new challenges, training programmes in the framework of the European Higher Education Area should facilitate the acquisition of skills and competencies through curricula based on ongoing assessment which promote creativity and educational innovation. Through a systematic and comprehensive review of the scientific literature, this article examines the educational potential of e-social work in Spain and the training needs of social workers from an interdisciplinary approach. A critical debate is presented throughout the paper to encourage reflection among professionals. The study highlights the importance of the acquisition of digital skills through the development of educational intervention programmes using the latest technological media and resources with a view to serving citizens in these new spaces of interaction.

E-Inclusion and e-Social work: new technologies at the service of social intervention

ABSTRACTThis paper defines the concept of e-inclusion in reference to programmes and projects that promote social inclusion through the use of new technologies. This concept is related to e-social work, defined as the use of ICTs in the field of social work and social services. To illustrate the implications of e-inclusion and e-social work, a case study is presented on a community involvement project using new technologies as a means and as an end. The SAREGUNE project for community use of new technologies was set up in Vitoria (Spain) in 2004. Ten years later, it gained recognition as a European e-inclusion scheme within the ‘Leonardo Da Vinci Multilateral Projects, Transfer of Innovation’ lifelong learning programme. This article explores the origins of the idea and its significance in the fight against the digital divide and in the processes of intercultural and social inclusion within the city's historic central district. A process of deconstruction, construction and reconstruction of the scheme is used to identify and describe the movements of rotation and revolution within the process of social inclusion, the levels of integration of e-social work at individual, group and community level, and the impact of the project in terms of e-inclusion.

Social work online: a recognition of experiences and practices in Italy

ABSTRACT‘The Internet is the fabric or our lives’ [Castells, M. (2001). The Internet Galaxy: Reflections on the Internet, Business, and Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press, p. 1] – but which are the weaves that nowadays connect Italian social workers into such a fabric? Herein we aim at answering this question through a survey of on-line resources, nodes and practices of e-Social Work in Italy. We shall be discussing ICT impact on the Italian context, and the utilization of ICT by Italian social workers, in order to build up the internal and external factors that determine the current utilization levels of these emerging tools within the professional community. A review of the major on-line social work portals will identify their key features and peculiarities and aim to provide an overview of the substance and current on-line functions of Italian social work, with a summing-up of criticalities and opportunities that might prompt reflection on possible future developments.

Information and communication technologies in interventions of Czech social workers when dealing with vulnerable children and their families

ABSTRACTThe topic of informatization and digitization of social work is a new phenomenon bringing new challenges that need to be dealt with. However, in the Czech Republic, the processes of informatization, digitization and e-social work may still look like grey zones. This article presents the result of one of the first Czech studies whose aim was to find out how social workers interpret the impacts of the use of information and communication technologies on social work. The goal of the research was to find out how the ongoing process of informatization permeates the Czech social work aimed at the target group of vulnerable children and their families. The authors have applied a qualitative research strategy in this research project using semi-structured interviews as the technique of data collection. The utilization of this technique has enabled them to obtain information from 25 social workers. The interviews have been analysed using the procedures of situational analysis. When interpreting the results, the authors focused on the area of communication where information and communication technologies are used, which social workers considered crucial.

E-Social work in practice: a case study

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a theoretical reflection on e-social work by considering a case study: an intervention programme with vulnerable people, included in the services catalogue of a non-governmental organization (NGO), Zaragoza Red Cross Assembly. This programme cares for older people with a home assistance system mediated by information and communication technologies (ICTs). The digital convergence of the Spanish Red Cross and the digitalization of internal processes were accelerated by the use of ICTs as a tool in the aftermath of the 2008 crisis: first, to manage bureaucratic matters; second, to coordinate professionals and third, to interact with users. The text is divided into five sections including an introduction and final remarks. The first section describes the intervention programme and its evolution from a traditional social work vision to an e-social work perspective. The second section describes and analyses the intervention programme and the incorporation of ICTs in this NGO, over more than two decades. The third section describes professional contributions to the implementation and adaptation of social work to new social and technological circumstances and users’ requirements based on these intervention experiences.

E-social work and at-risk populations: technology and robotics in social intervention with elders. The case of Spain

ABSTRACTInformation and communication technologies are increasingly relevant. Finding a sphere of activity that is isolated from technological advancement proves increasingly difficult, and social work is no exception. Therefore, given the socio-demographic and technological context for this sector in Spain, we must face and tackle new challenges. Focusing exclusively on the elderly, e-social work highlights new skills and abilities that can be developed by means of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), which are viewed as powerful tools that can guarantee egalitarian access to an improved life standard. Nevertheless, despite the digital divide growing smaller, its impact on people over 75 is still significant; hence, we need to use every tool at our disposal to reduce it to the bare minimum. With that purpose in mind, this article discusses usability, the causes of unequal access to ICTs, technological gerontological pedagogy and robotics as forward-looking technology. The aim is to technologically enable the senior population by adapting the necessary interfaces for an easier interaction; likewise, online intervention also aims for the utilization of alternative technologies. Technology has completely changed the world we live in pushing us to a new approach towards old age, fragility and chronicity. ICTs in social intervention must be a true source of opportunities to further social cohesion.

E-Social work: building a new field of specialization in social work?

ABSTRACTNew technologies have transformed the nature and practice of social work. A wider range of available digital procedures has opened up a broader dimension regarding research, therapies, interventions and social networks in the field. Using meta-analysis methods, this article reviews the current situation of the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in social work. A search of the literature reveals 70 articles using different methodological approaches over the period 2006–2016. The descriptors for the search were ICTs, information systems, technological systems, social work and e-social work. The main findings are that most studies on ICTs and social work focus on the impact, potential and specific uses of technologies in different aspects of social work, the ethical issues involved and the special attention that should be given to social workers’ educational programmes. This scenario is a changing reality that must be taken into account: it is an irrefutable fact that new technologies are affecting social work and will be reflected by researchers and practitioners who should address and deal with these new trends in social work. The results allow us to identify four key recommendations to assist social workers in successfully adopting and implementing ICTs in their daily practice.