Australian Social Workers’ Understandings of Technology in Practice

Abstract

ABSTRACT Existing international research that tracks technology use in social work practice often focuses on specific forms of technology. The study outlined in this article explored Australian social workers’ understanding and use of technology related to their practice experiences more broadly. With a sample of 100 participants who had less than 12 months to 20+ years of social work experience, the study found that Australian social workers utilise technology without clear boundaries, policies, or professional access. It found that organisations prioritise technological resources for outcomes measurement rather than finding ways technology could benefit service user relationships. Social workers attempt to mediate practice tensions and complexities by understanding client-centred approaches rather than specific theories or social work models with technology. This study suggests that guidelines and conceptualisations for social work practice with technology require further development. This article argues for a social work–based understanding of technology as a context of practice, requiring social workers to navigate profession-specific knowledge, skills, and values to contribute to social work–led technology. IMPLICATIONS Technology in social work practice is yet to fully support client connection, engagement, advocacy, and interaction. Organisational contexts shape and often limit technology use by social workers, thus minimising the potential for social work–led conceptualisations and practice. Social workers individually navigate limitations presented by practice contexts without drawing on social work–specific knowledge of technology, inhibiting the profession from contributing to practice-led technology.