School Social Work Practice Tools

NASW is developing a task force for the revision of the 2016 Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings. NASW reviews and revises these standards to update best practices in the field of health care. Social workers utilize these guidelines to establish protocols and as a reference for delivering high-quality care.

NASW has extended the public comment period for draft practice standards addressing long-term services and supports (LTSS). These standards, prepared by a volunteer task force of NASW members in collaboration with NASW staff, pertain to LTSS provided by social workers to people of all ages in home- and community-based settings and in facilities. NASW welcomes input on the standards from all social workers (regardless of NASW membership status) and other stakeholders. Anyone may submit a comment without logging into or creating an NASW account. Read the draft standards and submit your feedback through July 26.

These revised standards, prepared by a volunteer task force of NASW members in collaboration with NASW staff, address long-term services and supports (LTSS) provided by social workers to people of all ages in home- and community-based settings and in facilities. When finalized, the standards will replace the 2003 NASW Standards for Social Work Services in Long-Term Care Facilities. Read the manuscript and provide your feedback by July 12.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) acknowledges the role social workers play in preventing child maltreatment. This month NASW focuses on preventing online harm to children. Online harms include cyber bullying, exploitation, child sex abuse materials (CSAM), harmful artificial intelligence (AI) generated content and predatory adults that target children.

NASW is developing a task force for the revision of the NASW Standards for the Practice of Social Work with Adolescents . NASW reviews and revises these standards to incorporate and update best practices. We encourage social workers who have a minimum of 5 years of work with adolescents and their families to submit their resume for consideration. Experience can include clinical practice and/or case management in adolescent healthcare, mental and behavioral health settings, child welfare agencies, adoption services, community-based child abuse prevention, juvenile justice services, and school social work. A competitive candidate should have excellent writing skills and is expected to participate in meetings and prepare documentation.

NASW Task Force for Social Workers’ Safety in the Workplace is pleased to announce the attached draft practice standards for public comment by April 25, 2026. The draft standards offer guidance to social workers on essential, helpful provisions for social workers to feel secure when carrying out their social work duties in any setting or environment. We value your input and encourage you to review the document by clicking Here.

Please use the comment section to provide your feedback no later than April 25, 2026. We kindly request that you include your professional background with your comments. Thank you.

Submit your comment.