Electronic Information Systems to Guide Social Work Practice: The Perspectives of Practitioners as End Users

Abstract

Evaluations of electronic information systems (IS) being used in social work agencies in England and Australia have been highly critical of their effects on frontline social work practice. Attention is now turning to how IS might be redesigned and used in the future. One particular development is the inclusion of particular practice frameworks in the design of IS, in order that, when practitioners use them, practice is shaped and guided. With the aim of improving social work practice, the IS is intended to act as an ‘external expert’. In this article, the findings of a small-scale ethnographic study of an IS that incorporates the Looking after Children framework for children in out of home care are presented. The challenges of incorporating practice frameworks into IS are discussed.

Keywords:

• electronic information system
• social work practice framework
• end users

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the managers who gave permission and made arrangements for the research to be conducted and the participants who were generous with both their time and effort.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Philip Gillingham

Philip Gillingham is a Senior Research Fellow, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Queensland.