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AbstractCombining quantitative data from a national survey (n = 252) with qualitative interviews with frontline social workers (n = 16), this manuscript examines the ways in which bureaucracy and managerialism has impacted social work in Northern Ireland, with specific attention to relationship‐based practise. Although policy documents emphasise the importance of relationship‐based practise, quantitative and qualitative data demonstrate social workers are spending increasingly more time on administrative tasks to the detriment of direct work with service users. A whole institutional response is necessary to develop conditions conducive to placing relationships at the heart of practise, and promotion in practise guidelines and policy documents alone is insufficient.

Abstract
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused widespread lockdowns, social distancing measures, restrictions to businesses and the closure of buildings. During this time social workers were required to adjust to remote practice, adopting technological adjuncts for continued engagement with service users. This article reports on qualitative interviews with fourteen front line social workers practicing during the pandemic in Northern Ireland, exploring the impact of remote delivery and technology on relationship-based practice. Findings highlight negative outcomes on relationship building and social worker self-care, alongside concerns that efficiency would be prioritised over future face-to-face contact with service users. The adoption of alternative methods of communication through technology has disrupted the core principles of relationship-based practice and has meant that, without proper planning or staff training, alternative models of delivery, which may have enabled some form of continuation and centralisation of relationship-based practice are under explored and require further investigation.

This article provides an overview of key ethical considerations for the adoption of technology in social work practice. A content analysis was conducted across nine professional social work associations' Codes of Ethics. Although considered key reference documents to guide safe practice, this research found limited and varied coverage of technology and focused predominantly on social media use. In an increasingly Internet-based and technology-driven world, social workers must resist reactionary responses to rapid technological developments. Consulting multiple sources is vital to assess the advantages and limitations of technology use, and to mitigate risks to service users, their families, fellow practitioners and the profession.

Abstract
In many parts of the world, social workers have long supported disaster responses although in Aotearoa New Zealand, social work is not generally considered an essential component of disaster management. Promoting the development of safer, less vulnerable communities, is however a key activity for both social work and disaster management. The recent shift from a traditional focus on hazards to vulnerability and resilience consolidates the alignment and importance of social work within this field. This article reports the results of the first known survey of registered social workers in Aotearoa New Zealand and their involvement in disaster events. Additionally, the article highlights the perspectives of six disaster management professionals on the role of social workers in disaster management. The findings offer examples of social workers' engagement in disaster work, the variable understanding of social work by disaster management personnel, and the importance of social work maintaining a positive public profile. Implications for future social work practice and education internationally as well as disaster management policy and practice are outlined.

Abstract
Since the 1990s managerialism has spread across the public sector, implementing private sector practices targeting greater efficiency in public services. Consequently, reforms focusing on risk management, standardisation, fragmentation and accountability have increased demands for paperwork and procedure compliance from street-level bureaucrats (SLBs). Focusing specifically on the impact on social work, this paper presents the findings of a systematic literature review synthesising social workers experience of bureaucracy across thirty-nine published qualitative studies. Despite warnings being voiced about the risks associated with enforcing highly bureaucratic and managerial cultures in social work, evidence reinforces the consequences predicted over two decades prior. Major themes from the systematic synthesis include negative effects on social workers and service users, social workers' resistance to bureaucratic structures and the coping strategies they employed. Although the review found some positive perspectives, this was sporadic and only reported in a minority of studies. As SLBs, social workers face an important question: What should be prioritised in the delivery of social services? Managing procedures, administration and documentation or pursuing sustainable change through meaningful engagement with service users?

Context:In response to the growth of evidence-based practice in social work, systematic literature reviews offer significant value to social work but are often met with concerns of time scarcity.Purpose:Through a case study search strategy addressing the research question "What are practicing frontline social workers' experiences of bureaucracy?," this article seeks to promote efficiency by providing a practical guide for conducting systematic literature searches and an appraisal of database performance in qualitative social work research.Method:The total citations, unique hits, sensitivity, and precision for each database were calculated before conducting a cross-study comparison with three previously published social work systematic searches to identify emerging performance trends.Results/Conclusion:Relying on a single database is subject to bias and will not provide comprehensive or sensitive findings; however, due to consistent high performance across four systematic searches, Applied Social Science Index and Abstracts, Social Services Abstracts, and Social Science Citation Index are recommended for future literature searching in social work.