6th UK and Ireland Implementation Science Research Conference 2023
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PRESENter
Gráinne Hickey
presenter biography
Dr Gráinne Hickey is Research and Evaluation Manager in Barnardos Ireland. She previously held the position of Project Manager on the ENRICH (Evaluation of wRaparound in Ireland for CHildren and families), as well as postdoctoral posts on a Process Evaluation of youngballymun and the Incredible Years Ireland Study in the Centre for Mental Health and Community Research, Maynooth University. Her work is focused on preventative and early interventions which support parental wellbeing, positive parenting and children’s social-emotional and behavioural outcomes. Her interests include evidence-based practice, community-based research, evaluation and implementation science.
background
Digital technology is an increasing feature of social care practice, and its use has accelerated greatly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet there remains much that we need to learn regarding the implementation of digital interventions in social care settings. We explored service user and practitioner experiences of working online during the pandemic and outline the development of a digital practice framework. This work was conducted in the Republic of Ireland as part of an evaluation of web-based services delivered by Barnardos Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic.
MEthod
A mixed methods study combining survey and qualitative research was conducted. In total, 139 parent/adult service users and 102 practitioners took part in online surveys. Nineteen focus groups with 106 practitioners were also conducted. The findings informed the development of a best practice framework that includes guidance documents, protocols, and assessment tools to support staff and service users working online.
results
Survey results indicated that more than half of participating parents identified a blended approach of online and face-to-face meetings as their preferred option for receiving services. Results from the survey and focus groups with practitioners indicted they generally felt confident and comfortable engaging in digital service delivery. Benefits of digital practice included perceived positive impacts on participation rates, ease of access and removal of barriers to engagement. Challenges included lack of access to technology/WiFi, inadequate spaces to engage in digital intervention, concerns regarding privacy and safeguarding and developmental considerations in direct work with children online.
Conclusion
The findings highlight benefits and challenges within the implementation of digital social care supports. The digital practice framework developed in response to these findings provides implementation guidance for web-based social care services including: session planning guidance; safeguarding and risk assessments; maintaining programme fidelity; building therapeutic relationships; and evaluation and reflection following intervention delivery.