The rapid digitisation of social services presents both significant opportunities and challenges, raising critical questions about equity, ethics, and social justice. Although digital tools promise efficiency, their impact on professionals and the most vulnerable beneficiaries remains under-explored. This research aims to develop a comprehensive methodological and ethical framework to support digital social intervention, aligned with the goals of the United Nations' Agenda 2030, which promotes inclusive and sustainable development. Central to this study is the process of digital transformation in the practices of social intervention professionals within the scope of social services. The relevance of this study lies in its potential to illuminate the ethical considerations and social justice implications of digital tools in social practices, ensuring that the advantages of digital transformation are equitably distributed and that the voices of those affected are heard. To achieve the study's objectives, a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design was employed, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the experiences and interpretations of social care services professionals and beneficiaries, as they navigate the complexities of digital integration. The research is structured into three distinct phases. The first phase focuses on qualitative data collection through semi-structured interviews with social care professionals and managers. These interviews seek to uncover insights into their experiences with digital tools and the implications for their work in social intervention. Participants are social interventors with academic qualifications in the social sciences and humanities who work in social care services. The number of participants chosen from each municipality considers the distribution of social care cases, which is organised according to the different types of responses and the number of entities or institutions present in each municipality. This selection process also considers the scope of responses relevant to each area and the diversity of services offered, ensuring the representation of all 18 municipalities in the Lisbon metropolitan area. In the second phase, qualitative focus groups are conducted with beneficiaries of social care services. This approach aims to capture their perspectives on the use of digital technologies in interventions, providing valuable insights into how these tools impact their experiences and outcomes. The qualitative data resulting from the interviews and focus groups will be analysed using thematic content analysis in MAXQDA to identify key patterns, which will subsequently inform the development of the quantitative survey. The final phase involves a quantitative survey, at a national level, where a structured questionnaire is distributed to a broader audience. This phase aims to gather a wider range of insights regarding the integration of digital technologies in social practices, further enriching the data collected. The quantitative data will be analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), allowing for the derivation of statistical insights that complement the qualitative findings. Preliminary analysis of the semi-structured interviews reveals three dominant themes: (1) a perceived increase in the administrative burden on professionals resulting from the new digital systems; (2) the existence of an ‘digital divide’ that disadvantages older beneficiaries, migrants, and individuals with mental health challenges; and (3) ethical dilemmas related to data privacy and client consent. Ultimately, this study provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, social workers, and technology developers. By integrating the voices of professionals and beneficiaries, this research offers a path to promoting a more inclusive, fair, and effective digital transformation in social care services, ensuring that technology serves human needs first and foremost.

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Digital Transformation,Social Intervention,Ethical Framework,Mixed-Methods Research,Public Policy,Social Justice

• Other Social Sciences - Social Sciences