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School of Social Work
Indiana University

Social Media

Confidentiality is a fundamental responsibility of social work practice and an essential component of professional ethics. Students are expected to protect the privacy of clients, agencies, communities, colleagues, and organizations throughout their practicum experience.

Information learned through practicum activities must be treated with care and shared only when authorized, required for professional purposes, or permitted by law and agency policy.

Students are responsible for understanding and following confidentiality requirements established by the practicum site, the School of Social Work, applicable laws and regulations, and the NASW Code of Ethics.

Why Confidentiality Matters

Confidentiality helps:

  • Protect the privacy and dignity of clients
  • Build trust between clients and service providers
  • Support ethical and effective services
  • Promote professional accountability
  • Protect sensitive agency and organizational information
  • Reduce the risk of harm to individuals and communities

Maintaining confidentiality is an essential professional obligation and a key element of ethical social work practice.

Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to:

  • Protect confidential information at all times
  • Follow agency confidentiality policies and procedures
  • Follow applicable federal, state, and local laws
  • Maintain privacy when discussing practicum experiences
  • Seek guidance when confidentiality concerns arise
  • Use professional judgment when handling sensitive information
  • Report concerns regarding privacy or confidentiality to appropriate supervisors

Students should assume that information obtained through practicum activities is confidential unless informed otherwise by appropriate agency personnel.

Client Information

Students may have access to sensitive information about clients, service recipients, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Examples of confidential information include:

  • Names and identifying information
  • Addresses and contact information
  • Medical and behavioral health information
  • Educational records
  • Financial information
  • Case records
  • Assessment and evaluation information
  • Service history
  • Legal records

Students should access only information necessary to complete assigned learning activities and professional responsibilities.

Agency Information

Confidentiality responsibilities extend beyond client information.

Students may also have access to:

  • Internal agency policies
  • Personnel information
  • Agency reports
  • Grant information
  • Financial records
  • Program evaluation data
  • Organizational communications

Agency information should not be shared outside authorized professional contexts without permission.

Classroom and Educational Discussions

Students often use practicum experiences as part of classroom learning, supervision, seminars, assignments, presentations, and professional discussions.

When discussing practicum experiences, students must:

  • Remove identifying information
  • Protect client anonymity
  • Avoid using names or unnecessary details
  • Protect the privacy of agencies and individuals
  • Follow instructor and agency expectations

The educational use of practicum experiences should never compromise confidentiality.

Written Assignments and Presentations

Students are responsible for ensuring that written assignments, case analyses, presentations, and projects protect confidential information.

Students should:

  • Use pseudonyms when appropriate
  • Omit identifying details
  • Avoid unnecessary personal information
  • Protect agency identities when required
  • Follow instructor and agency guidance

Care should be taken to ensure that individuals cannot be identified through the combination of details provided.

Electronic Records and Technology

Confidentiality requirements apply to all electronic information and communication.

Students are expected to:

  • Follow agency technology and security policies
  • Use secure systems and platforms when required
  • Protect passwords and login credentials
  • Log out of agency systems appropriately
  • Store information securely
  • Prevent unauthorized access to records

Confidential information should not be stored on personal devices or personal accounts unless specifically authorized by the practicum site.

Email and Electronic Communication

Students should exercise caution when communicating electronically.

When using email, messaging systems, or virtual platforms, students should:

  • Follow agency communication policies
  • Use approved systems when required
  • Protect confidential information
  • Limit information shared electronically
  • Verify recipients before sending information

Electronic communications can create privacy risks and should always be handled professionally.

Social Media and Online Conduct

Confidential information must never be shared through social media or public online platforms.

Students should not:

  • Discuss clients online
  • Share practicum experiences in a way that identifies individuals
  • Post photographs or videos obtained through practicum activities without authorization
  • Share agency information without permission

Even when names are omitted, details may be sufficient to identify individuals or organizations.

Students should exercise caution whenever discussing professional experiences online.

Confidentiality in Virtual Services

Students participating in telehealth, virtual meetings, remote services, or online client interactions must follow all applicable confidentiality requirements.

Students should:

  • Use approved platforms
  • Maintain privacy in workspaces
  • Protect documents and records
  • Follow agency procedures for virtual services
  • Consult supervisors regarding technology concerns

Exceptions to Confidentiality

There are situations in which information may need to be disclosed in accordance with law, policy, or professional obligations.

Examples may include:

  • Risk of harm to self
  • Risk of harm to others
  • Suspected abuse or neglect
  • Court orders
  • Other legally mandated reporting requirements

Students should never make independent decisions regarding disclosure without consulting their practicum instructor, supervisor, or other designated agency personnel.

Seeking Consultation

Confidentiality concerns can be complex.

Students are encouraged to seek consultation whenever questions arise regarding:

  • Privacy obligations
  • Client information
  • Documentation
  • Electronic communication
  • Social media use
  • Ethical decision-making

Appropriate sources of consultation include:

  • Practicum Instructor
  • Task Instructor
  • Faculty Practicum Liaison
  • Practicum Education Coordinator
  • Agency leadership

Seeking guidance is a professional responsibility and helps ensure ethical practice.

Consequences of Breaches of Confidentiality

Failure to maintain confidentiality may have serious consequences for clients, agencies, students, and the profession.

Consequences may include:

  • Agency corrective action
  • Removal from practicum
  • Student review
  • Academic consequences
  • Program disciplinary action
  • Dismissal from the program when warranted
  • Legal or regulatory consequences

All confidentiality concerns are taken seriously and reviewed according to School and agency policies.

Professional Commitment

Protecting confidential information is a core responsibility of social work practice. Students are expected to demonstrate sound judgment, professional integrity, and ethical decision-making in all situations involving sensitive information.

By maintaining confidentiality, students help protect clients, strengthen professional relationships, support agency operations, and uphold the values and standards of the social work profession.

Technology

Technology plays an important role in contemporary social work practice. Students may use electronic records, communication platforms, case management systems, virtual meeting tools, data collection systems, and other technology resources as part of their practicum experience.

Students are expected to use technology responsibly, professionally, and in accordance with agency policies, legal requirements, ethical standards, and School of Social Work expectations.

The use of technology must support effective service delivery while protecting client privacy, confidentiality, and data security.

Professional Use of Technology

Students are expected to use technology in ways that support professional practice and maintain public trust in the social work profession.

Professional use of technology includes:

  • Following agency technology policies and procedures
  • Using approved technologies and platforms
  • Maintaining professional communication standards
  • Protecting confidential information
  • Using technology in an ethical and responsible manner
  • Exercising professional judgment when using digital tools

Students remain responsible for their professional conduct regardless of the technology being used.

Access to Agency Systems

Many practicum sites provide access to electronic systems that support services, documentation, scheduling, communication, and record management.

Students are expected to:

  • Use agency systems only for authorized purposes
  • Access only information necessary for assigned responsibilities
  • Follow agency login and security procedures
  • Protect usernames and passwords
  • Log out of systems when not in use
  • Report unauthorized access or security concerns promptly

Students should never share login credentials or allow others to access systems using their accounts.

Electronic Records

Students may be required to create, review, update, or maintain electronic records as part of their practicum responsibilities.

When working with electronic records, students are expected to:

  • Follow agency documentation requirements
  • Ensure records are accurate and complete
  • Enter information in a timely manner
  • Use objective and professional language
  • Correct errors according to agency procedures
  • Protect access to sensitive information

Documentation should accurately reflect services provided and professional activities completed.

Record Keeping Standards

Effective record keeping is an important professional responsibility.

Students are expected to maintain records that are:

  • Accurate
  • Complete
  • Timely
  • Objective
  • Professional
  • Consistent with agency requirements

Records should document relevant information while avoiding personal opinions, unsupported conclusions, or unnecessary information.

Confidentiality and Records

Students must protect the confidentiality of all records and information encountered during practicum education.

This includes:

  • Client records
  • Assessment information
  • Service documentation
  • Electronic communications
  • Agency reports
  • Evaluation documents

Students should only access records necessary to perform assigned duties and should follow all agency security procedures.

Storage and Security of Information

Students are expected to use reasonable precautions to protect sensitive information.

Security practices include:

  • Locking computers when unattended
  • Securing paper records
  • Protecting passwords
  • Following encryption requirements when applicable
  • Properly disposing of confidential materials
  • Reporting potential security breaches

Students should avoid leaving confidential information accessible in public or shared spaces.

Personal Devices

Students should follow agency policies regarding the use of personal devices during practicum activities.

Unless authorized by the agency, students should not:

  • Store confidential information on personal devices
  • Download agency records to personal computers
  • Use personal email accounts for agency business
  • Photograph client records or confidential documents
  • Transfer protected information to personal storage systems

Agency requirements and security standards should guide all decisions regarding device use.

Email and Electronic Communication

Students are expected to communicate professionally through email, messaging systems, and other electronic platforms.

When communicating electronically, students should:

  • Use professional language
  • Follow agency communication protocols
  • Protect confidential information
  • Verify recipient information before sending messages
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
  • Respond within appropriate timeframes

Electronic communication should reflect the same professional standards expected in face-to-face interactions.

Virtual Services and Remote Practice

Many agencies utilize technology to provide services remotely.

Students participating in virtual practice activities should:

  • Use approved platforms and software
  • Maintain privacy during virtual meetings
  • Protect client confidentiality
  • Follow agency procedures
  • Seek guidance when technology concerns arise
  • Ensure professional appearance and conduct during virtual interactions

Students should be prepared to adapt their communication and engagement strategies to virtual service environments.

Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies

Students may encounter artificial intelligence, automation tools, data analytics platforms, and other emerging technologies in professional settings.

Students are expected to:

  • Follow agency policies regarding technology use
  • Protect confidential and sensitive information
  • Verify the accuracy of information produced by technology tools
  • Exercise professional judgment when using technology-assisted resources
  • Consult supervisors regarding appropriate use

Technology should support professional decision-making and should not replace professional responsibility, supervision, or ethical judgment.

Social Media and Digital Content

Students must use caution when creating, sharing, or interacting with digital content related to practicum experiences.

Students should not:

  • Share confidential information online
  • Post information that identifies clients or agencies without authorization
  • Discuss client situations on social media
  • Share photographs, videos, or recordings obtained through practicum activities without permission

Professional standards apply in online environments as well as traditional practice settings.

Data Breaches and Security Concerns

Students who become aware of a potential data breach, privacy concern, lost device, unauthorized disclosure, or other security issue should report the concern immediately through agency procedures.

Prompt reporting helps:

  • Protect clients and agencies
  • Limit potential harm
  • Support compliance with legal requirements
  • Maintain professional accountability

Students should seek guidance whenever they are unsure how to respond to a potential security concern.

Record Retention and Disposal

Students must follow agency policies regarding record retention, storage, and disposal.

Students should not independently delete, destroy, copy, or remove records unless authorized to do so by agency policy and supervision.

All records created during practicum activities remain the property of the agency unless otherwise specified.

Professional Responsibility

Technology is an important tool in social work practice, but it does not replace ethical decision-making, professional judgment, or accountability.

Students are expected to use technology in ways that:

  • Protect clients and communities
  • Support effective services
  • Promote ethical practice
  • Maintain confidentiality and privacy
  • Comply with agency, legal, and professional requirements

Responsible technology use contributes to effective practice, strengthens public trust, and supports the mission of the social work profession.