Hickey G, Dunne C, Maguire L, McCarthy N. A mixed-methods exploration of practitioners' experiences of delivering digital social care interventions with vulnerable children and families during the Covid19 pandemic.
JMIR Form Res 2023;
7:e43498. [PMID:
36888555 PMCID:
PMC10182457 DOI:
10.2196/43498]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
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 social care practitioners' experiences of delivering digital interventions with vulnerable children and families during the pandemic.
METHODS
A mixed-methods study combining survey and qualitative research was conducted. In total, 102 social care practitioners working in the Republic of Ireland who delivered a range of digital social care supports, took part in an online survey. This survey captured practitioners' engagement and experiences of delivering digital social care interventions to children and families, as well as training and capacity building needs. Subsequently, 19 focus groups with 106 social care practitioners working with children and families were also conducted. These focus groups were directed by a topic guide and explored in more depth practitioners' perceptions of digital social care practice, the perceived impact of digital technology on their work with children and families and future application of digital social care interventions.
RESULTS
Survey findings revealed that 54% and 45% of practitioners respectively felt 'confident' and 'comfortable' engaging in digital service delivery. The vast majority (93%) identified maintaining connection during the pandemic as a benefit of digital social care practice; approximately three-quarters (74%) felt that digital social care practice offered service users 'increased access/flexibility'; however, a similar proportion (70%) identified inadequate home environments (e.g. lack of privacy) during service provision as a barrier to digital social care practice. Over half identified poor Wi-Fi / device access as a challenge to child and family engagement with digital social care. In total, 79% felt that they needed further training in the use of digital platforms for service delivery. Thematic analysis of qualitative (focus group) data revealed three overarching themes including: (i) perceived advantages and disadvantages for service users; (ii) practitioner challenges in working with children and families through digital technologies; and (iii) practitioners' personal challenges and training needs.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings shed light on practitioners' experiences of delivering 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 across the experiences of practitioners were identified. The implications of the findings for the development of therapeutic practitioner-service user relationships through digital practice, as well as confidentiality and safeguarding are discussed. Training and support needs for the future implementation of digital social care interventions are also outlined.
CLINICALTRIAL
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