Social Work and ICT

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become an integral part of social and working lives. Within social work ICTs play a vital role, helping professionals to store and share information and contributing to new forms of practice. This book goes a step further than simply describing ICT skills, and critically reviews the role of ICT across the whole field of social work. It investigates how this affects practice and the experience of people who use services.

The book has a student-friendly, practical focus and includes guidance and analysis on:

Best practice for social work and ICT

ICT use in social work

Service users, carers and ICT

Technology and professional practice

ICT and social work agencies

Social work programmes in the virtual world

ICT and practice-based learning.

Written in a lively style, Social Work and ICT is interspersed with activities and exercises to enable students to develop their skills and knowledge. Each chapter includes a task-based 'Taking it Further' section with useful websites, suggestions for further reading and ideas to improve practice. The book has been designed to enhance professional practice and it will be essential reading for all professional programmes in social work.