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This chapter systematically reviews the social work scholarly literature to investigate the origins, evolution and state of the art of digital social work with groups. Two academic databases “Social Work Abstracts” and “Social Services Abstracts” were explored to identify the most relevant papers on this topic in the period from the early 1990s to the present. A total of 167 papers were selected and analyzed. The results highlight the main trends and changes in e-social group work in the selected time period. The analysis also classifies the types of papers published, the most relevant authors, the needs or problems focused on, the types of groups developed and the technologies that were employed. The chapter questions if the accelerated and widespread digitization arising from COVID-19 has had any significant impact on e-social group work reports. The chapter ends by proposing a renewed agenda for the specialized field of digital social work with groups among practitioners, researchers and educators. Special emphasis is also placed on how the social work curriculum can best prepare students to meet the anticipated future demand for online social work practice with groups in the years to come.

In a context of accelerated digital transformation, social networking sites have changed the strategies used in organisational communication. In this article, netnography and social network analysis are used to analyse the connectedness, interaction, and leadership processes engaged in by Spanish associations of social workers in online social networks, specifically Facebook and Twitter. Algorithms were used to detect communities that form communication structures that determine the dynamics of cooperation and cohesion. The results show a strongly hierarchical communication structure, where communities tend to closure. Based on the results obtained, a series of strategies are presented to improve the cooperation between the Spanish associations of social workers in social networking sites., En un contexto de transformación digital acelerado las redes sociales online modifican las estrategias organizacionales de comunicación. En este artículo analizamos mediante netnografía y análisis de redes sociales los procesos de conectividad, de interacción y de liderazgo de los Colegios de Trabajo Social en España en las redes sociales online, concretamente en Facebook y Twitter. A través de determinados algoritmos hemos detectado comunidades que conforman estructuras de comunicación que condicionan las dinámicas de cooperación y cohesión. Los resultados muestran una estructura de comunicación fuertemente jerarquizada, con comunidades que tienden al cierre. Basado en los resultados obtenidos, presentamos una serie de estrategias para mejorar la cooperación entre los Colegios de Trabajo Social en España en las redes sociales online.

Inter-country Social Work admissions and educational comparisons are difficult due to variance in policy and practices between Social Work educational providers, even within the same country. However, this paper aims to provide an examination of different levels of impact that COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ had on ‘admissions to social work’ processes and on education, using examples from universities in Australia, England, Finland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Ireland and Sweden. Already we know that across these examples, admission processes differ significantly. Variances are between selection and entry methodologies with some institutions using academic entry criteria and personal statements and interviews, while others use academic entry criteria and relevant experience or academic entry only. We also know that practicum duration is variable across providers, lasting between 75 and 200 days. Despite all differences, a distinct adjustment to lockdown required a shift to virtual teaching methods for each institution. This paper seeks to explore the range of approaches adopted to lockdown in relation to practice learning placements in each example. We consider the underpinning values and principles that guided responses to these change processes in the various institutions and longer term implications emerging from the required rapid change processes are discussed.

Understanding the characteristics, motivations, and experiences of student social workers is important to inform their professional education and support needs. To date, there has been relatively little research about social work students in Ireland, both North and South. This study reports on an all-Ireland survey of students beginning their social work course in Autumn 2018 in the six Universities delivering social work education. It describes the characteristics of the student cohort, examines the motivations behind choosing this career, and highlights some of the potentially relevant life experiences and beliefs which may have contributed to their ambition to join the social work profession. Implications for social work education, recommendations for curriculum development, workforce planning, and the provision of appropriate support for students are discussed.

The influence of the sense of community on biopsychosocial adaptation of Latin Americans living in the city of Malaga, Spain, was analyzed. The sample consisted of 34 people of Latin American origin and two measurement were carried out in an interval of 18 months. An approximate longitudinal prospective comparative study was developed. The relationships between the variables were compared according to the length of time of residence in Malaga (less/more than one year) and the effect of the passage of time. The results showed that the dimensions of sense of community were consistently related to the biopsychosocial adaptation variables analyzed in this study and a positive change was observed in the adaptation variables for both groups. Implications for practice and training of social workers and public policies improvements are considered, revealing the potential of Community Social Work in this area., Se analizó la influencia del sentido de comunidad en la adaptación biopsicosocial de latinoamericanos residentes en la ciudad de Málaga, España. La muestra la formaron 34 personas de origen latinoamericano a las que se le hicieron dos mediciones en un intervalo de 18 meses. Se desarrolló un estudio comparativo prospectivo longitudinal de carácter aproximativo, en el que se compararon las relaciones entre las variables en función del tiempo de residencia previo en Málaga (menos/más de un año) y el efecto del paso del tiempo. Las dimensiones del sentido de comunidad se relacionaron consistentemente con las variables de adaptación biopsicosocial contempladas y se observó un cambio positivo en las variables de adaptación para ambos grupos. Se presentan implicaciones para la práctica y la capacitación de los/as trabajadores/as sociales y para la mejora de las políticas públicas, evidenciándose las potencialidades del Trabajo Social Comunitario en este ámbito.

While social workers continue to recognise the centrality of relationship in social work practice they are nowtrying to build and mediate relationshipswith service users in a context fundamentally changed by technology. The paper suggests that different modes of electronic communication are not simply add-ons to society but are altering the social texture of society including the ways that people relate and interact with others. The relationship base of social work is not immune or dislocated from the explosion of social media and electronic communication which is occurring in the wider society and, therefore, attention needs to be paid to the impact of these new technologies on the way in which social work is practised. Using qualitative research with early career stage social workers in Ireland this paper aims to contribute to knowledge on this emerging dimension of social work practice.

This article reports on findings from a study with recently qualified social workers on the use of social media in their practice. The findings reported here are drawn from a broader study on the use of electronic communications conducted with both newly qualified teachers and social workers. The focus group data reported here provide an insight into the practice realities associated with the use of social media by clients and social workers. The qualitative methodology employed helps to reveal the richness and complexity of technology use in practice. This rich picture reveals multidirectional surveillance, by clients and social workers, facilitated by social media. This includes surveillance by clients taking videos of meetings without consent. The article also highlights situations when social workers themselves consider it acceptable to gather information on clients through social media. The research identifies a range of ethical issues for social workers to navigate and highlights their need for support and guidance in the form of standards, codes, and education and training. The surveillance lens illuminates the ethical dilemmas being faced with reference to concepts such as power, privacy and consent as well as the broader debate of care and control in social work.

This article explores the psychodynamics of relationship-based practice from the perspective of young people in residential care. This research involved qualitative semi-structured interviews with 10 care leavers, aged 18–24 years, who had been in residential care in Ireland. Drawing selectively from that research, this article reports their views and experiences of key-working and how relationship- based practice acted as a reparative method within their experiences of care and aftercare. Similar to previous research, this study underscores the necessity to ensure that children in care are cared for and supported by a trusted adult. In addition, based on this study, the role of a key worker appears capable of providing this ideal type of supportive relationship. It also highlights the importance of the care system working to provide consistency and support for the young people and confirms the importance of relationships with trusted adults, such as key workers.

Social work practitioners face significant challenges in their professional lives when advocating for marginalised and disadvantaged people who face deep structural inequalities, lack of resources and inaccessibility to social and health care services. Many service users are long-suffering, dispirited, and demoralised without hope for a better future. This is particularly the case in community based mental health services where social workers provide frontline counselling and advocacy to individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. Prolonged adversity takes a toll on the resilience of the service user while social work practice, aimed at counteracting such structural adversity, takes a toll on the resilience of the practitioner. Too often, community mental health agencies fail to recognise this toll and do little to support the resilience of social work practitioners. This study looks at practitioner perspectives on resilience and explores the idea of relational resilience as a buffer against burnout and compassion fatigue. The paper identifies themes from qualitative interviews with social workers on community mental health teams (CMH) in Ireland and assertive community treatment teams (ACT) in Canada who are involved in front line mental health services. The words ‘service user’ and ‘client’ are used interchangeably to reflect common usage in the two locations.

The Roma community in Europe has experienced persistent marginalisation and disadvantage over many generations, with Roma regularly experiencing problems of access to healthcare, accommodation, education and employment within the European context. Ireland is a relatively new destination for Roma migration and, as yet, the experiences of Roma in Ireland are underresearched. However, problematic access to healthcare has emerged as an issue faced by the Roma community in Ireland. With reference to the work of the Tallaght Roma Integration Project (TRIP), this article aims to illuminate some of the challenges faced by Roma in this regard. The work of TRIP is informed by community development principles, including concepts of participation and social solidarity. This article explores how community development can offer a framework through which the Roma community can engage collaboratively with service providers in order to highlight need and mobilise change in service provision.

Developing quality relationships is recognised as an active ingredient for effective interventionswith young people in care. Essentially, care staff has the opportunity and capacity to positively influence the young person's experiences in care, through the positive relationships they form. This paper presents selectively on the findings of two separate but related qualitative Irish studies exploring relationship-based approaches in residential child care practice, fromthe perspectives of both residential child careworkers and young care leavers. Thirty-two professionals and four care leavers participated in either focus group or individual interviews. The findings are integrated in this paper with the wider literature on young people leaving care, with the aim of identifying core knowledge that is needed by service providerswho are taskedwith the support of young peoplemaking the transition out of care and towards independent living. In this paper we attempt to identify the knowledge base on relationship-building which is needed by care staff in order to carry out their role. It is argued that an explicit knowledge base is overdue now that the complex needs of young people in care are increasingly visible through advances in research and more recently the emerging literature concerning the personal testimonies of care graduates.

Prompted by the introduction of statutory social work registration into the Republic of Ireland, the authors consider the assumptions that attach to regulation, including the promise of greater public protection vis-a` -vis the management of misconduct issues by social work regulators. They ponder the paradoxical implications for the future of social work if, notwithstanding the arguments in favour of registration, social work fails to theorise and critically reflect on the prevention, interpretation and management of professional misconduct.

In a study which examined how newly qualified teachers and social workers conceptualize and incorporate asynchronous technologies in their professional and private spheres, variation in active participation on social media among the participants reflected a spectrum of opinions regarding the implications of online interaction for new professionals. The extent to which online interaction can overlap with ethical expectations attaching to professional roles is an emerging topic in the research literature. This study focused on the activities and experiences of newly qualified professionals. In this article, ethical issues are examined in three categories, namely formation, maintenance, and ending of online relationships.

This article examines a participatory educational group approach to involving service users in a social work education programme. In particular it focuses on the skills and values that informed the lecturer’s management of this group process and the relevance of the International Association for Social Work with Groups Standards for Social Work Practice with Groups to the purpose of the group as well as to how this group was facilitated.

The interface between new entrants to professional disciplines, professional reputation management and social media usage is an under-researched and little understood phenomenon. A small-scale study on social media usage conducted with new social workers and teachers, working in the Irish context, revealed interesting in-sights into the complexities of reputation management for new professionals and the particular issues related to development of their professional reputations raised by online interactions, relationships and behaviour. Key messages for professionals and professional educators emerge from the findings outlined in this article.

In the absence of mandatory planning and support to assist all young people who leave care in Ireland, after-care provision is a ‘‘neglected’’ area of service provision and has been criticised for being inconsistent and ad hoc. The benefits of keyworker support for young people making the transition out of care is more clearly articulated within the literature and across policy statements and is firmly embedded as a model of good practice in working with young people in residential care. The study reported here sets out to conduct an in-depth exploration of the concept of keyworking. This is achieved by engaging young care-leavers, residential care providers and after-care support workers in qualitative interviews. By asking young people and care providers about their experiences of keyworking, it attempts to drill down into both the benefits and possible downsides of this practice model. The findings and discussion presented here are based on the pilot stage of this study, and although the findings can only be regarded as tentative in nature some important issues have emerged from the pilot stage as reported here.

Drawing on their experience of mental health social work in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, the authors examine the impact of current legislative and policy change in both jurisdictions. The paper applies Lorenz’s theoretical framework to develop a comparative analysis of how global and country specific variables have interacted in shaping mental health social work. The analysis identifies linkages between factors and indicates similarities and differences in mental health social work practice. The paper highlights emerging discourses in this field and explores the impact on practice of developments such as de-institutionalisation, community care, and ‘user rights’ versus ‘public protection’. The article concludes with a review of key challenges facing social workers in both jurisdictions and identifies opportunities for developing mental health social work in ways that can positively respond to change and effectively address the needs of mental health service users and their carers. The analysis provides an opportunity to evaluate Lorenz’s theoretical framework and the paper includes a brief critical commentary on its utility as a conceptual tool in comparative social work.