Är digitala verktyg här för att stanna? : En kvalitativ studie om hur digitala verktyg inverkar på det sociala arbetet utifrån ett professionsperspektiv

• Main Authors: Fahlén, Julia, Ribacke, Johanna
• Format: Others
• Language: Swedish
• Published: Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för socialt arbete (SA) 2020
• Subjects: Social work; digitalization; relationship; digital devices; professional perspective; Social Work; Socialt arbete
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-100614

The aim of this study was to obtain a deeper understanding how social workers, who practice public authority in social services, perceive that social services are affected when it takes place in an increasingly digital arena. The chosen method of this study was semistructured interviews held with six social workers from two different municipalities. The gathered material was analyzed using the theory discretion and professional approach. The result showed that digitalization has affected social work. It also entails both benefits and challenges regarding relationships between professionals and clients as well as quality in work. The respondents did see obstacles with the digitalization, the mentioned problems did often concern the challenges of creating relationships and uncertainty with usage of the digital devices related to the legal aspects. Our conclusion was that social workers, by using their discretion and a professional approach, can take advantage of the benefits that digital devices entails to improve the quality of social work. This requires social workers to make assessments based on awareness of the obstacles regarding digital devices in relation to clients’ different conditions.