"Isn't it funny the children that are further away we don't think about as much?": Using GPS to explore the mobilities and geographies of social work and child protection practice. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Disney, Tom; Warwick, Lisa; Ferguson, Harry; Leigh, Jadwiga; Cooner, Tarsem Singh; Beddoe, Liz; Jones, Phil; Osborne, Tess
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 100(2019)
• Page Start: 39
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.02.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Abstract: Social work is an inherently mobile and spatial profession; child protection social workers travel to meet families in diverse contexts, such as families' homes, schools, court and many more. However, rising bureaucracy, managerialism and workloads are all combining to push social workers to complete increasing volumes of work outside their working hours. Such concerns lead to the perception that social workers are increasingly immobilised, finding themselves desk-bound and required to spend much of their working day navigating time-consuming computer systems. This immobilisation of social workers has considerable implications, restricting professionals' abilities to undertake the face-to-face work required to build relationships with families. However, until now, the actual movements of social workers, and how (lack of) movement affects ability to practice, remain unknown. In this paper we report on innovative research methods using GPS [Global Positioning System] devices that can trace social workers' mobilities and explore the use of office space, home working and visits to families in two English social work departments. This article presents unique findings that reveal how mobile working is shaping social care practitioner wellbeing and practice. Highlights: Mobility is often prized in social work and there are concerns that practitioners are increasingly immobilised. Mobilities in social work are complex and nuanced however, and encompass significant emotional implications. Mobile working can be detrimental to social care practitioners' wellbeing as work can permeate domestic spaces. Seemingly 'sedentary' practitioners in the office are often intensely active and mobile. Journeys and distances to and from families are rarely reflected upon but can impact child protection practice. Mapping techniques using GPS can help to reveal the emotional implications of social care practitioner mobilities.