Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Oct 13, 2022
Date Accepted: Jan 30, 2023
Date Submitted to PubMed: Mar 8, 2023
A mixed-methods exploration of practitioners’ experiences of delivering digital social care interventions with vulnerable children and families during the Covid19 pandemic
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital technology is an increasing feature of social care practice, and its use has accelerated greatly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Objective:
This research assessed service users’ and service providers’ experiences of, and engagement with, online social care practice during the pandemic.
Methods:
A mixed-methods study combining survey and qualitative research was conducted. In total, 139 parent/adult service users and 102 social care practitioners working in the Republic of Ireland who respectively received and delivered a range of digital social care supports, took part in online surveys. Semi-structured interviews with a small number of children (n = 5) aged 11 – 16 years were conducted. Nineteen focus groups with 106 staff members working directly with children and families were also conducted.
Results:
The service user survey results indicated that majority of participating service users enjoyed engaging in online services, whilst more than half of participating parents identified a blended approach of online and face-to-face meetings as their preferred option for receiving services. The findings from children were mixed, with three out of five participating children indicating that they preferred face-to-face work. Results from the survey and focus groups with practitioners indicted they generally felt confident and comfortable engaging in digital service delivery. Benefits of digital practice included perceived positive impacts on participation rates, ease of access and removal of barriers to engagement. Challenges included lack of access to technology and/or WiFi, inadequate spaces to engage in digital intervention, concerns regarding privacy and safeguarding and developmental considerations in direct work with children online.
Conclusions:
These findings shed light on both service user and practitioners’ experiences of digital child and family social care services during the Covid-19 pandemic. Both benefits and challenges within the delivery of digital social care supports, as well as conflicting findings were identified. Digital practice training and support needs and future online practice requirements within social care systems are discussed. Clinical Trial: Not applicable
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