Social workers and ipads

barbarawright

gizmo111 wrote: »

CAF assessments are done in a totally different way to child protection visits and reacting to crisis sitautions that are followed up with an in depth assessment such as a core assessment. Very often decisions cannot be made on the spot as discussion with a manager is needed. Putting factual details would be Ok but when an in depth assessment is needed then an ipad or tablet is just not a practical way to gather info on the move.

But a notebook is? Why not? Nobody is suggesting that a social worker shouldn't get a second opinion why is it so important that a social worker has to type everything twice?

gizmo111

barbarawright wrote: »

But a notebook is? Why not? Nobody is suggesting that a social worker shouldn't get a second opinion why is it so important that a social worker has to type everything twice?

Who is typing what twice - I don 't know of anyone that works in CP that takes lengthy notes on a home visit or would be able to cpature that information and type it in a succint legible way
at a home visit, and nor would I want to. I also wouldn't to sit in my car after every visit and type up notes - thats why we have an office.

LoLo

tiny_courageous wrote: »

There's no way in hell I'd be visiting some of the areas we cover with anything expensive like an ipad, I'd be mugged within ten minutes. For the same reasoning, I drive an old battered car.

In any case, our local authority are reluctant to replace our 10 year old and falling apart mobile phones, never mind investing in modern technology!

Do you work for the same LA as me?

floss2

AnnaLicious wrote: »

..... What if the Daily Mail did a freedom of information request on the number of ipads in the council and so on......

Doesn't have to be the Daily Wail - anyone can put in an FOI to any local authority about anything.

TBH, I am all for the use of technology - I guess people were a little blinkered when computers first began to be used in offices, and look at us all now with most posters having at least one if not several internet-ready devices in their home & workplace.

My DH has used a laptop in his work for a long time, my colleagues at work have PDAs to report & receive work, friends have ipads - what's the problem? If it means a person is more flexible and can achieve more in their working day & help create a BVM workforce then I am all for it.

RedBern

Armchair23 wrote: »

OK I'm just about to start seeking out help for my aged Mum. She finds it hard enough to engage with the outside world as it is, if she has do it with someone who doesn't look at her and have a conversation, but someone intent on using a tablet to tick boxes I give up now.
It's a tool not a magic bullet for curing all ills.

There's lots of work at the moment using iPads and older people to maintain independence. We've put them into day settings and had really good results.