image of presenter, CASW and MCSW logos, and the title, Technology, Social Media, and Social Work Ethics: Risks and Considerations
Webinar event date: 
jan 16, 2025 1:00 am EST
Webinar Presenters: 
Vicki Verge, MSW, RSW

Vicki Verge’s tenure as a Social Worker started in 1992 when she became employed with Winnipeg Child and Family Services after obtaining an Honors Bachelor of Social Work degree from Lakehead University. After achieving her MSW at the University of Manitoba, Vicki left her role as a Program Director in child welfare for a career in healthcare. At the Health Authority, she worked as a Community Team Manager. In this role, she was a leader of diverse interdisciplinary teams including doctors, nurses, mental health practitioners, community development and home care professionals. In 2012, Vicki became the Regional Director of Social Work. In this position, she was responsible for providing leadership and direction for the provision of social work services across the health region continuum (which included acute care, long term care and community programming). In addition to this role, Vicki was responsible for the direct management of a team of medical Social Workers and a team of Spiritual Health specialists in an acute care hospital at an integrated health and social services campus. Vicki was the President of the Manitoba College of Social Workers (MCSW) Board of Directors and has volunteered on various committees such as the College’s Continuing Competence Committee. In 2021 Vicki joined the University of Manitoba Faculty of Social Work where she is currently an Instructor and Field Education Liaison. She is a Board Member for CASWE-ACFTS.  Additionally, Vicki holds the position of Director of Regulatory Practice for the Manitoba college of Social Workers.

Description

Presented in partnership with MCSW, this one hour webinar will provide participants with an introduction to the ethical issues that can arise when posting information on social media platforms. The requirements for social workers to “distinguish between their actions and statements as private citizens and actions and statements made as social workers, recognizing that social workers are obligated to ensure that no outside interest bring the profession into disrepute (MCSW, Code of Ethics, 2015, Guideline 7, pg. 26)” will be reviewed. 

Learning Objectives: 

  • An introduction to the MCSW regulatory mandate.
  • An overview of technology and social media terminology.
  • Examples that arise when using technology and social media in social work practice.
  • A discussion about the link between professional and personal behavior.
  • Ethical considerations and standard of practice.
  • An introduction to some risk management strategies.