Researching Social Work Practice Close Up: Using Ethnographic and Mobile Methods to Understand Encounters between Social Workers, Children and Families

Ferguson's research design mirrors Longhofer and Floersch's (2012) "practice ethnography" approach - researching face to face interactions between service user and practitioner. It also draws on the "mobilities" approach where researchers participate in whatever is happening, such as walking, home visits or car journeys, interviewing participants during or after the activity to understand the experience as it occurs.

Ferguson spent three months in two English local authorities. A total of 24 social workers participated, with experience ranging from newly qualified to in excess of 20 years. With one exception, families were happy for the visit to be audio recorded. This allowed Ferguson to take notes and make observations of key interactions, seating arrangements, movement around the room and practitioners' use of objects or "material culture". He also describes the tone and atmosphere in the room, engaging reflexively with his role and the understanding it offers. Ferguson discusses his findings in two key contexts: journeys and in the family home.