This presentation discusses how digital technology and Web 2.0 are changing how people connect and interact. It notes that internet access is now considered more essential than clean water or refrigeration by many. The presentation discusses how governments have adopted digital strategies in response to these changes. It also covers some of the opportunities digital technology provides for improved services, as well as challenges around ethics, professionalism, and new forms of abuse and exploitation. Examples of digital initiatives to enhance citizen engagement, care for older adults, and public health consultation are also provided.

1. Presentation for West London Alliance
2 June 2014
Claudia Megele
Senior Lecturer and CPD & Post Qualifying Programme Leader (Middlesex Uni)
Head of Practice Learning (Enfield Council)

2. Source:Web 2.0Tag Cloud

7.  Web 2.0 technology is changing the way we connect,
network and interact.
 In a study of things adults could not live without
undertaken by the Science Museum and involving
3,000 adults, internet connection was ranked 2nd
place, ahead of clean drinking water and a fridge.
Facebook was ranked in 5th place and deemed more
vital to everyday life than a shower or central heating.
(Science Museum, 2011)

9. More than 1 Billion pieces
of information

10. Source:GoGlobe.com

11.  UK governments created Gov2.0
in response to Web 2.0.
 Web 2.0 created new ways of
communicating and thinking
about citizenship and e-
citizenship and e-governance.
Further Reading: Megele, C. (2012) How to move from
local e-government to collaborative e-governance
Megele, C. (2012) Local government in 2020:
Opportunities and Challenges

12.  Ability to apply ethics and values and professional decision making in a
relevant manner in online interactions.
 It is not possible to separate or sever your online and offline identities.
 In using social media:
 be purposeful and have a clearly defined strategy
 establish and maintain clear boundaries
 have a consistent and balanced approach to engaging.
 Information can be replicated on the internet and therefore be mindful of
language used and who you choose to engage with.
Further Reading: Megele C. (2012) Social Care in the e-professionalism era

13. Digital Identities and
Footprints

15.  Answers
 Collaborate
 Developments
 Bookmarking

16. Source: GoogleApps

17.  Changing the way we think about services and service delivery.
 Creating new ways to communicate with, and support users of
services.
 Creating new opportunities and challenges.
 Changing our sociality & our relationships with each other,
including our users of services.
 The fluidity of “online” identities, and the overlap between
personal and professional pose important ethical challenges.
 Therefore, proactive digital engagement and e-professionalism
are integral part of one’s personal and professional competencies.

18. “digital technology has revolutionised the way in
which people communicate and share
information – at local, national and international
levels. Civil servants need to understand these
changes so that they can operate effectively in a
dynamic media environment”
Source: Broughton. A, Higgins.T, Hicks. B, Cox. A (2009:27) forThe Institute for Employment
Studies.

19.  Some of today’s popular jobs did not exist ten years ago
(Monster.com, 2014; Forbes, 2011 & Career Builder, 2010)
and some of the most referenced job titles on Linkedin
barley existed 5 years ago (Linkedin, 2014).
 “In the 21st century we are preparing children and young
people for a future world that we don’t yet know, for jobs
that don’t yet exist and for a life that may be very different to
today’s way of living” (Glasgow City Council, 2009:3)
 We need to prepare students for jobs, roles and
responsibilities that don’t yet exist… to use technologies
which aren’t yet created and begin to address problems that
we do not yet fully recognise.

20.  Cyber bulling, abuse and online sexual
exploitation of children and vulnerable adults.
 The use of social media platforms means that
abuse is online and offline, the online
component makes the abuse constant, and
therefore, the ‘victim’ has no respite.

21.  combat isolation and loneliness;
 connect users of services to community support;
 consult with professionals online;
 choose & purchase services;
 integrated and holistic services;
 review records and create personal care plans;
 keeping service users informed and possibility to
reach and remain connected (virtual meetings,
online diagnosis, e-interventions, etc.);
 move towards OpenGov and e-Governance as
well as global connectivity & transparency

22.  Skype is being used to help residents of care homes
keep in touch with families through attending events
virtually such as weddings and graduation
ceremonies.
 Residents of care homes are using FACEBOOK to view
photographs of family and friends.
 Using internet for shopping and communicating with
family members.
 Life story work and reminiscing.
Source: Get Connected (2012)

23.  Consultation with a consultant or other health professional via video link.
 Pilot project at Airedale Hospital:
 Creation of aTelehealth Hub, staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, run by highly
skilled nurses who specialise in acute care.
 Consultants and doctors also on hand if needed.
 The aim of the service is to care for patients closer to home whenever it is safe to
do so.
 Evidence suggests that many patients are admitted into hospital when this
is not always the best environment for them.
 Telemedicine allows the user of services more support, autonomy and
control, minimising costly and time consuming trips to the hospital.
 GP’s are instantly informed and kept up-to-date about any consultations
which occur via theTelehealth Hub.

24.  Case Study (Buckinghamshire
Council)
 Support group is initially
started by social worker or
social care worker;
 the group becomes
independently maintained by
service users through digital
technology such as skype.

25.  NHS Brighton & Hove engaged the public by
running a 24-hourTwitter-thon asking
community members what changes they would
like to see in policies to manage alcohol
consumption.
 “We were overwhelmed with the number and
diversity of responses that we received and it
was so exciting to see and receive instant
feedback.”
Source: Brighton & Hove

26.  In order to move to a live and interactive democracy
many local authorities live stream council meetings.
 Case Study: Brent Council livestream council
meetings and councillors tweet during meetings and
reply to tweets using the hashtag #BrentLive.
 Case Study:Walsall Council used a twitter account
@walsallmeetings & hashtag #walsallmanor to
provide live updates to engage and discussWalsall
Manor Hospital’s bid for FoundationTrust status.

27.  Share ideas and provide informal updates of work plans.
Case Study: Enfield Council staff are usingYammer to
share ideas and provided updates on projects.
 A platform similar to Moodle is being used to create e-
Portfolios and e-PDPs.

28.  Shift Surry is an innovative initiative by Surrey Council
to develop a framework for innovation and to turn
ideas into actions.
 Last year Barnsley council launched a web portal to
facilitate information sharing, advice and support to
residence and staff.The information portal is also
linked to the e-market place where people can shop
for a range of support services.
 WhilstWigan Council developed integrated health
and social care neighbourhood teams around GP
practices.

30. Video
Facebook
Group
Tweet
Encouraged
comments
Social
Worker
Intervened

31. Twitter
FACEBOOK
YOUTUBEYAMMER
Digital
Strategy

32.  What does digital literacy mean to you?
 What does digital literacy look like – what are some of
the skills?
 What does e- professionalism mean to you?
 What does e- professionalism look like?What are
some relevant examples ?
 What is the implication of Google glasses and other
transformational technologies on health, social work,
and social care?

33.  Check your agency’s policy
 Be mindful of ethics and values
 Have a social media focus
 Be purposeful with your engagement
 Always be a professional
 Be confident and competent with your engagements
 Be respectful to yourself and others
 Avoid conflict and/or individuals who hope to draw you into
conflict
 Avoid gossip, people who gossip tend to gossip about everyone.
You could be next
 Associate with individuals who can be a source of information and
knowledge
 Be aware of authenticity and don’t be too influenced by social
media identities (online personas). Check people’s credentials and
actual track record to verify authenticity.

34. 1. How can we use digital media in social work courses?
2. HowTechnology can revolutionise training in the care sector
3. How can social networking help my social work practice?
4. TechTopics: @SWSCmedia: Bringing SocialWorkersTogether Globally
5. Continuous Professional Development and Social Media
6. Ethical issues in the use of telecare
7. Get connected: Impact Evaluation
8. Get connected (2nd Edition)
9. Employers Social Media Policy and the Challenge of e-Professionalism
10. How to move from local e-government to collaborative e-governance
11. Local government in 2020: Opportunities and Challenges
12. Social Care in the e-professionalism era

35. Claudia Megele
Senior Lecturer & CPD/PQ Programme Lead (Middlesex University)
Head of Practice Learning (Enfield Council)
Contact Details
Email: C.Megele@MDX.ac.uk
Twitter: @ClaudiaMegele @SWSCMedia @Mhchat @U4Change
Linkedin: Claudia Megele