Summary

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.

中文翻译：

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探索第一波 COVID-19 对社会工作实践的影响：英国英格兰的定性研究

概括

COVID-19 大流行标志着全球卫生和社会保健服务发生了根本性转变。在英国，许多现有社会护理需求的人被确定为“临床上易受 COVID-19 感染”。鼓励那些面临最大风险的人遵守额外的公共卫生措施，这些措施无意中加剧了社会不利条件。社会工作者面临着“深入挖掘”以继续像往常一样提供服务的挑战。然而，报告了实施新工作方式的问题，但没有通过研究进行深入研究。我们的研究探讨了社会工作者在英国英格兰应对第一波 COVID-19（2020 年 4 月至 7 月）的经历和看法。通过电话或在线视频对 13 名社会工作者进行了采访，他们都在西米德兰兹地区工作。使用自反主题分析对成绩单进行分析。我们使用“管理不确定性”作为支撑分析后确定的四个主题的核心概念：(1) 在物理距离上提供社会关怀，(2) 协商家庭/工作界限，(3) 管理新出现的风险和 (4) 长期术语对社会工作的影响。我们在弹性和组织适应的背景下讨论我们的发现。我们研究中的社会工作者表现出行动的弹性和对新实践的快速适应，但同样表达了对短期效率优先于个人服务用户需求的担忧。(3) 管理新出现的风险和 (4) 对社会工作的长期影响。我们在弹性和组织适应的背景下讨论我们的发现。我们研究中的社会工作者表现出行动的弹性和对新实践的快速适应，但同样表达了对短期效率优先于个人服务用户需求的担忧。(3) 管理新出现的风险和 (4) 对社会工作的长期影响。我们在弹性和组织适应的背景下讨论我们的发现。我们研究中的社会工作者表现出行动的弹性和对新实践的快速适应，但同样表达了对短期效率优先于个人服务用户需求的担忧。