Exploring the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on social work practice: A qualitative study in England, UK
Journal article
Tom Kingstone, Paul Campbell, Alina Andras, Karen Nixon, Christian Mallen, Lisa Dikomitis and The Q-COVID-19 Group 2022. Exploring the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on social work practice: A qualitative study in England, UK. The British Journal of Social Work. 52 (4), pp. 2043-2062. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcab166
Authors | Tom Kingstone, Paul Campbell, Alina Andras, Karen Nixon, Christian Mallen, Lisa Dikomitis and The Q-COVID-19 Group |
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Abstract | The COVID-19 pandemic signalled a radical shift in health and social care services globally. In UK, many of the people with existing social care needs were identified as ‘clinically vulnerable’ to COVID-19. Those at greatest risk were encouraged to adhere to additional public health measures that inadvertently exacerbated social disadvantages. Social workers were challenged to ‘dig deep’ to continue to provide services as usual. However, problems implementing new ways of working were reported but not examined in-depth through research. Our study explored experiences and perceptions of social workers responding to the first wave (April–July 2020) of COVID-19, in England, UK. Interviews with thirteen social workers, all working in the West Midlands region, were conducted via telephone or online video. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. We use ‘managing uncertainty’ as a central concept underpinning the four themes identified after analysis: (1) providing social care at a physical distance, (2) negotiating home/work boundaries, (3) managing emerging risks and (4) long-term implications for social work. We discuss our findings in the context of resilience and organisational adaptation. Social workers in our study demonstrated resilience in action and rapid adaptation to new practices, but equally expressed concern about short-term efficiencies being prioritised over individual service user needs. |
Keywords | Interviews; Pandemics; Public health; Qualitative research; Remote working; Resilience |
Year | 2022 |
Journal | The British Journal of Social Work |
Journal citation | 52 (4), pp. 2043-2062 |
Publisher | Oxford Academic |
ISSN | 0045-3102 |
1468-263X | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcab166 |
Official URL | https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article/52/4/2043/6353145 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 17 Aug 2021 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 29 Jun 2021 |
Deposited | 19 May 2023 |
Publisher's version | License |
Output status | Published |
https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/94q0y/exploring-the-impact-of-the-first-wave-of-covid-19-on-social-work-practice-a-qualitative-study-in-england-uk
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