Client access to case records in Australian social work

Abstract

This study looked into client access to records – generally referred to as ‘case records’ – pertaining to themselves that social workers routinely maintain in the course of professional practice. An online survey and semi-structured interviews were undertaken with Australian social workers. The study found that while the majority of the participants indicated that they granted their clients access to their case records, this was not necessarily reflected in practice. It is argued that social workers would need to proactively enable client access to their case records if they are to abide by the spirit and intent of the principles they espouse.