1. Human Services in the Network Society 1 Implications of virtual social work : learning for a change Jackie Rafferty j.rafferty@soton.ac.uk

2. Human Services in the Network Society2 Outline of session ► Introduction  Based on research published in 2006 ► Brief outline of findings of the research re skills required for virtual social work practice ► Skills development agenda exercise

3. Human Services in the Network Society3 Rafferty, J. & Waldman, J. (2006) Fit for Social Work Practice, Journal of Technology for the Human Services, The Haworth Press, New York. Vol. 24(2/3) Based on an evaluation of the first UK open-access online information, advice and social work support service available to young people (NSPCC) Paper argues that: ► social workers need to be able to operate effectively within a fast changing practice environment and societal context in which core communication modes are shifting to encompass increasing levels of virtual contact. ► there is a widening gap between this aspiration and the way ICT skills are currently conceptualised in social work education.

4. Human Services in the Network Society4 www.childline.org.uk

5. Human Services in the Network Society5  Coping with the shift in power  Responding appropriately  Coping with young people self-harming or expressing suicidal thoughts  Managing endings Research findings re challenges for social workers

6. Human Services in the Network Society6  Not knowing identity and location  Managing lack of case record  Providing a sense of continuity  Building trust and expressing empathy  Inadequate keyboard skills  Developing definitions of good practice  Implications for social work processes  Supervision

7. Human Services in the Network Society7 Developing the discourse To date discourse related to the Internet and, in particular, child care practice, has focused largely upon privacy and paedophilia issues. The immediate need is to move towards a deeper analysis of how e-practice differs from traditional social work practice and establish a strategy to begin to address the current deficit.

8. Human Services in the Network Society8 Skills development agenda Would like your help in considering the skill challenges against the following four headings: Education/trainingPracticePolicyResearch

9. Human Services in the Network Society9 Going forward ► Aim is to strengthen the network and to work to ensure the skills required for the virtual social worker are embedded in education, training and practice ► If you are willing to join such a network please let me know. J.rafferty@soton.ac.uk