Information technology is changing the role, responsibilities and practices of social care professionals, as well as policy and management within the field. Bringing together leading academics to discuss empirical research on the application of new information technology (IT) in health and social care, this text discusses a variety of technologies, including the Internet, telemetrics, multimedia, artificial intelligence, virtual environments and online communities. The contributors take a balanced approach, highlighting the anxiety and unease as well as the advantages brought about by these developments in technology and the resulting change in responsibilities. Issues discussed include child protection and the Internet, computer mediated self-help, and collaborative learning. They also explore the wider implications of the way that technology changes the relations between experts, professionals and lay people. Information and Communication Technologies in the Welfare Services is a groundbreaking book in the field of social care, bringing well-researched and up-to-date discussion of all aspects of information technology to those working and studying in health and social care.