Social workers lose out on e-learning in workplace

Social care professionals are being held back from e-learning at work because of a shortage of computers and training, according to a study by the Social Care Institute for Excellence.
 
Research revealed that 68% of employers blamed restrictive budgets and inadequate resources for the low uptake.
 
Although 47% of employers believed that e-learning could be an effective tool for the workforce, only 32% actually included it in their induction training.   
 
The research also highlighted that access to computers was a major issue with one in four employers providing less than 10% of staff with access to a computer at work. 

Although 68% of employees had access to a computer at work, 28% admitted that they did not use a computer in their day-to-day tasks even if it was accessible.   
 
E-learning methods include the internet, CD-Roms, virtual learning environments, interactive social care-related programmes, work-related SMS text messaging and work-related digital TV.
 
Attitudes to IT varied greatly between employers and their staff with 66% of employees believing they had the relevant skills while the bosses placed it much lower at 42%. 
 
The study’s findings also showed that the private sector was less likely to use e-learning than the public or voluntary sectors.
 
More information
Social Care Institute for Excellence
Essential information on the social care workforce
 
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Contact the author
Caroline Lovell