Course Description:

This course reviews the standards for technology in social work practice, as agreed upon by the National Association of Social Workers, the Association of Social Work Boards, the Council on Social Work Education, and the Clinical Social Work Association. 

Dramatic technology developments in all aspects of social work require practice standards to offer guidance.  This course divides these standards into four main sections, addressing the use of electronic technology to:

(1) provide information to the public

(2) design and deliver services

(3) gather, manage, store, and access information about clients

(4) educate and supervise social workers

Each practice standard provides general guidance in how to use technology in an ethical manner and gives suggestions as to how these standards can be implemented in a wide range of circumstances and social work settings.

This course is based upon material published by the National Association of Social Workers and is available as an open access article.

This course on standards for using technology in social work is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work.  This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of the ethics associated with the use of technology.  The course material reviews ethical standards and guidelines for a wide range of circumstances.  It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal.  

Authors:  Task Force for Technology Standards in Social Work Practice

Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding the ethical use of technology in social work practice.  Specifically, a professional will:

• Describe standards related to designing and delivering services
• Identify standards for gathering, managing, storing and accessing information about clients
• Recognize the impact technology has had on the education and supervision of social workers

Citation:  NASW, ASWB, CSWE, and CSWA Standards for Technology in Social Work Practice, 2017, National Association of Social Workers.