The Routledge International Handbook of Digital Social Work

This handbook provides an overview of current research and trends related to the emerging field of digital technology and social work, exploring the digitalization of the social work profession and the use of technology to provide effective services and innovative practice responses.

Format: Hardback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive handbook offers a thorough and up-to-date exploration of the emerging field of digital technology and social work. It is organized into six insightful sections:

Reframing Social Work in a Digital Society: This section delves into the transformative impact of digital technology on the practice of social work. It examines how social workers can reimagine their roles and approaches in a digital society, leveraging the potential of technology to enhance service delivery and promote social justice.

Shaping a Science of Social Work in the Digital Society: This section explores the theoretical foundations and research methodologies necessary to develop a science of social work in the digital age. It examines the role of digital technologies in shaping social work practice, research, and education, and discusses the challenges and opportunities that arise from this digital transformation.

Digital Social Work in Practice: This section provides practical insights and case studies on how social workers are utilizing digital technologies in their daily practice. It covers a wide range of topics, including online counseling, teletherapy, social media outreach, and the use of data analytics to inform social work interventions.

The Ethics of Digital Social Work: This section examines the ethical considerations and challenges associated with the use of digital technology in social work. It explores issues such as privacy, confidentiality, consent, and the potential impact of technology on vulnerable populations.

Digital Social Work and the Digitalization of Welfare Institutions: This section explores the ways in which digital technology is transforming welfare institutions and the role of social workers in this process. It examines the opportunities and challenges presented by digitalization, such as the automation of social services, the development of new models of care, and the impact on social work practice and policy.

Digital Social Work: Future Challenges, Directions, and Transformations: This section looks ahead to the future of digital social work. It examines emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the field, including the role of artificial intelligence, big data, and other advanced technologies in social work practice. It also explores the potential for digital social work to promote social inclusion, equity, and sustainability.

This handbook, comprising 40 meticulously commissioned chapters, delves into the intricate intersections between social work theory and practice in a rapidly digitizing world. With a critical focus on how social work as a profession is undergoing an exponential transformation to embrace the myriad benefits of technology, it provides in-depth consideration of the digitalization of the social work profession. This includes exploring how social workers are harnessing diverse forms of technology to deliver effective services and innovative practice responses.

The chapters in this book cover a wide range of topics, including big data, digital archiving, e-citizenship and inclusion, gerontechnology, children and technology, and data ethics. Each chapter offers valuable insights and perspectives on the evolving landscape of digital technology and social work, making it an essential resource for social work scholars, students, professionals, and those engaged in science and technology studies more broadly.

In conclusion, this handbook.comprehensive handbook provides a thorough and up-to-date exploration of the emerging field of digital technology and social work. It offers a valuable resource for social work scholars, students, professionals, and those interested in science and technology studies more broadly. By examining the main intersections between social work theory and practice in a rapidly digitizing world, it sheds light on the transformative impact of technology on the profession and provides practical insights and case studies on how social workers can harness the potential of digital technologies to enhance service delivery, promote social justice, and shape a science of social work in the digital age.

Weight: 1220g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367499945