Abstract
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has profound impacts on society as people integrate technology into their lives. Social work is similarly influenced by ICT as workplaces, individual practitioners and clients adopt new forms of technology and this has prompted an increasing focus on the implications of technology on all aspects of professional practice. Drawing on the work of Spanish sociologist Manuel Castells as its theoretical foundation, this article reports on a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project that sought to understand the potential practice-led integration of ICTs with traditional social work practice at an organisation in rural Victoria, Australia. Eight participants were provided with tablet computers and collaborated with the researcher over a period of eight months to trial ways in which ICTs might complement traditional face-to-face practice in the field. Findings highlight a range of benefits and challenges in adopting a practice-led approach that spanned three key themes: successful practice-led approaches, technological friction and challenges inherent in what Castells describes as the transition to network enterprises. Findings highlight the need for ongoing research and engagement to ensure that technological advances are implemented in ways that are consistent with the enduring ethics and philosophies of the social work profession.
Highlights
As new forms of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) become ever more ubiquitous, professions such as social work are increasingly questioning how these new tools impact on practice (Baker et al, 2014; Cooner, 2014; Mishna et al, 2012; Schembri, 2008)
The question arises as to how social workers will adopt a practice-led approach to ICT use, and what organisational and technological challenges will need to be addressed to support a practice-led approach. We explore these issues and report on a Participatory Action Research (PAR) project, which was conducted with social work professionals at a homelessness support agency in regional Victoria, Australia
We address the research questions; “how might mobile ICTs be integrated into existing face-to-face social work practice?” and “what are the advantages and challenges identified by social work practitioners”? In doing so, we draw on the theoretical foundation provided by Manuel Castells in his theory of the network society
Summary
As new forms of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) become ever more ubiquitous, professions such as social work are increasingly questioning how these new tools impact on practice (Baker et al, 2014; Cooner, 2014; Mishna et al, 2012; Schembri, 2008). We have argued previously that social workers need to adopt a practice-led approach to the use of ICTs, so as to ensure that they might be used in ways that benefit, rather than detract from the enduring values of the profession (Baker et al, 2014). The question arises as to how social workers will adopt a practice-led approach to ICT use, and what organisational and technological challenges will need to be addressed to support a practice-led approach. We begin by briefly outlining Castells’ notion of a new informational paradigm, and the implications of this for social work practice
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