In a recent research report commissioned by NHS Digital, the report found 98 per cent of social workers cited at least one difficulty with sharing information digitally. While 49 per cent had a smart phone to support remote and mobile working, more than a quarter of social workers in the study could only access case information while in the office.
An appetite for the opportunities provided by technology was evident, with 92 per cent saying that it offered the ability to work more flexibly. Digital technology was used in a variety of positive ways to build and manage relationships with people accessing services, including:
- communicating with them to gather specific data (as part of assessment)
- delivering interventions (such as self-guided therapy or telecare)
- supporting team work (peer support and online supervision).
Mark Nicholas, Chief Social Worker at NHS Digital said: “There was a great response from the social work profession to this research. The findings indicate that although social workers are keen to take advantage of digital opportunities, there are significant barriers around digital skills, systems design and guidance on information sharing. They are trained to facilitate change through the quality of their interactions with people and they can’t do this if they receive no specific training on digital, or spend the majority of their time struggling with inadequate information and technology.
“I know that social workers are concerned about bureaucracy and the amount of time spent inputting data. With the immediacy of digital technology comes the expectation that more can be done, when the systems in place can in fact create additional work. Social workers must have access to good information and technology to support them in meeting the needs of the vulnerable people they work with. NHS Digital will be working with the profession to make this happen.”
The research involved 786 social care professionals.
