Social Media and Social Work: Implications and Opportunities for Practice - Paperback

by Lyn Romeo (Contribution by), Ian Joseph (Contribution by), Naomi Thompson (Contribution by)

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed fresh light on the ways that social media and digital technologies can be effectively harnessed to support relationship-based social work practice. However, it has also highlighted the complex risks, ethics and practical challenges that such technologies pose. This book helps practitioners and students navigate this complex terrain and explore and build upon its multiple opportunities. It uses real-life examples to examine how practitioners can assess the impact of new technologies on their professional conduct and use them in a way that enhance public confidence and relationship-based practice. The authors explore how digital technologies can support multiple areas of service including social work with children, families and adults, mental health social work, youth justice and working with online communities. They also consider regulatory questions and provide a roadmap for good practice.

Author Biography

Claudia Megele is the Assistant Director of CAFCASS and the National Chair of the Principal Children and Families Social Worker Network. She is also a Fellow of National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and was previously the Head of Service for Quality Assurance, Practice and Improvement at Hertfordshire County Council. Peter Buzzi is the director of Research and Management Consultancy Centre and the Safeguarding Research Centre. He is also the National Research Lead for the Principal Children and Families Social Worker network's national research and practice development project.