International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 21, No. 1 (2025)

Digital Transformative Practice: Considerations for Preparing Jamaican Social Work Practitioners for Effective Technology Use

Sarah J Bailey-Belafonte, The University of the West Indies, Global Campus
Cerita S Buchanan Grayer, The University of the West Indies, Global Campus

Abstract
The social work profession has steadily integrated information and communication technologies (ICT) into aspects of its practice and training curriculum. The COVID-19 pandemic increased social workers’ use of ICT and intensified discussions about its applicability within the discipline, especially concerning client care services. In Jamaica, social workers primarily work with their clients face-to-face, complemented with technologies such as email and instant messaging. However, the social work curriculum within local tertiary education, and private organisations does not adequately develop social work-related technology competencies. This paper will briefly explore the benefits and challenges that a sample of Jamaican social work practitioners experienced with the increased use ICT in their client care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also discuss how incorporating digital literacy, ethics training focused on ICT, and digital professionalism can be meaningful additions to the social work curriculum. Recommendations for changes at the faculty and organisational levels to further integrate ICT into social work education and practice are also provided. It is important that Jamaican social workers have adequate competencies in digital practice. This will increase the tools that the practitioners will have to address the needs of their client systems.

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