Challenges of Social Workers in an Increased Digital Workspace: A Sierra Leonean Perspective

The digitalization of social work is reshaping professional practice worldwide, offering opportunities for improved accessibility, efficiency, and evidence-informed interventions. However, in low-resource and post-conflict contexts such as Sierra Leone, adoption remains limited due to infrastructural, educational, and ethical challenges. This study critically examines the barriers and opportunities associated with digital social work practice in Sierra Leone, aiming to identify context-sensitive strategies for promoting inclusive, sustainable, and ethical digital transformation. A qualitative research design was employed, involving twenty participants, including frontline social workers, social work educators, and service users from both urban and rural settings. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, allowing for the exploration of lived experiences, perceptions, and professional realities. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke’s framework, was used to identify recurring patterns and core themes related to digital access, literacy, ethical practice, and professional isolation. Findings revealed significant infrastructural limitations, including unreliable electricity and internet connectivity, high data costs, and limited access to digital devices, particularly in rural areas. Digital literacy deficits among both practitioners and educators hindered effective adoption of technology, while the absence of context-specific ethical guidelines exposed practitioners and clients to risks related to confidentiality and informed consent. Vulnerable clients were often excluded from digital services, and urban–rural disparities reinforced professional and service delivery inequalities. To address these challenges, the study recommends integrating digital literacy and ethical training into social work curricula, investing in infrastructure, developing ongoing professional capacity-building programs, updating ethical frameworks for digital practice, and fostering South-South collaborations to share best practices. These measures aim to ensure that digitalization in social work is inclusive, ethically grounded, and responsive to the realities of low-resource settings.