Child and Family Social Worker Job Description

The child and family Social Worker job description includes assisting children and families in getting the services and attention they need. Working as a child or family social worker means assisting children and families in getting the services and attention they need. This job can encompass many roles ranging from working with behavioral issues, family issues, adoptions, visitation, foster homes, and more. This particular job is in high demand across the country and proves to be a rewarding field for the right candidate.

Child and Family Social Worker Job Description

A child or family social worker serves in many capacities. They provide assistance to children and families who need help to navigate certain circumstances. The social worker must have a certain number of years of approved course studies at an accredited college. In addition they need a particular number of hours working with children and families in a social worker setting. This may be as an intern or in a starting paid position.

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Some Examples Of Job Duties Include:

community development
discuss client treatment plans
provide support services
perform follow ups assessing
supervise workers providing client
assess physical abuse
assess individual or community needs
help with child rearing problems

What Does a Child and Family Social Worker Do?

You may wonder what do child and family social workers do? Their jobs are complex and can range from working with families to working with foster children with behavioral issues. These professionals are trained to handle complex situations related to family dynamics, child care, and legal guidelines. A child welfare social worker can also assist with visitation between parents and children as a liaison for the court.

Family social workers may also work with a school social worker, in family services, in child guidance clinics, and in education or assistance programs. Some professionals may be child family and school social workers combined. They may lead group counseling sessions in schools or group homes. Some assist client groups in family and school social service programs.

How Do You Become a Social Worker?

If you want to become child welfare or a family social worker, start with education. You’ll need to complete either a bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited university or online program. In addition to this qualification, you will also need hands-on experience through some child welfare or family welfare-related internships. This role requires you to complete continuing education requirements to stay certified in the field.

Who Should Become a Child and Family Social Worker?

It takes a certain type of personality and drive to be a child and family social worker. These individuals are responsible for a multitude of tasks from day to day, which can vary greatly. People specializing as family social workers will need to deal with both children and adults every day. The job requires them to be diplomatic, calm, assertive, and also knowledgeable. This is a challenging yet rewarding role that is suited to particular personalities.

It’s important to know that social workers deal with a wide range of challenging situations and emotions from all parties. They must implement the will of the court and keep the protection and well-being of children in mind. But, at the same time, they must also work within the family dynamic. The individuals working in this field have a high degree of integrity, compassion, patience, and also desire to help people.

Where Do You Begin?

Becoming a social worker is challenging, but there is a high demand for this field of expertise. Individuals who decide to pursue a degree in social work can expect to have a wide range of job options. This is prevalent within state-funded institutions such as the department of human services or adequate liaison. People who plan to work in this field should begin researching the course requirements directly out of high school.

Anyone unsure of approaching their educational goals can inquire with their school guidance counselor or their college admissions counselor. They can provide detailed information about the necessary coursework and extra programs available to help them fill their graduation requirements.

Anyone planning to become a licensed social worker can expect an average median salary of $28 and $32k per year. This figure can fluctuate from state to state, but it is a good baseline of what to expect. However, keep in mind that individuals with a higher degree can earn more. And, those with a certification generally make a considerable amount more than those beginning in the career field with a bachelor’s degree. In some instances, individuals with an associate working towards a bachelor’s degree find employment with a state agency or other entity with entry-level positions available.

Your Career as a Child and Family Social Worker

Anyone interested in becoming a child or family social worker should take some time to research the qualifications for this career and the job responsibilities. The job is especially suited to a particular person with a high degree of integrity and drive. Anyone working in this field must be a self-starter and handle stress related to family disputes and intense child welfare situations.

Types of Careers Available include:

working at medical treatment centers
case history records for those that need
administer welfare programs
foster care social worker
provide legal aid
help with foster or adoptive homes
family protection specialist

What do Social Workers do for Kids?

When it comes to working with children, social workers play a very important and sometimes pivotal role in their lives. Social workers who work for a children’s services agency are tasked with investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect, including physical, sexual, emotional, and verbal abuse. They evaluate personal characteristics to look for signs of social and psychological functioning, mental or physical impairment, and other issues.

If the allegations are found to be true, the social worker is responsible for removing the child or children from the dangerous situation after going to court before a juvenile judge that will grant them custody to be able to do that. They will then place them into a foster care home or relative placement and devise a care plan that the parent or parents of the child or children must follow to regain custody in the future.

They may require parents attend substance abuse treatment, such as group counseling sessions, while abandoned or abused children are in protective services.

Some social workers are in the role of certifying and inspecting potential foster homes so that there are places for children to go to when they are in danger of abuse or neglect. Social work is a very important field that the BLS expects to grow between 12 and 16 percent within the next decade, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A family service worker may conduct social research, lead educational or work programs, orchestrate mental health services, help parents navigate educational or vocational issues, address legal issues to determine clients eligibility for community resources, or interview clients individually to inform custody arrangements.

Why Would a Child See a Social Worker?

A child may need to see a social worker for a variety of reasons. Many school districts have social workers on staff to help students in deciding their future goals, plan out their schedule of classes, and even provide counseling when students need it. A child may also see a social worker if they have been the victim of physical or sexual abuse or severe neglect.

Social workers can interview children properly so that they do not ask leading questions and are able to ascertain truthful and correct information. Then they may also use this type of information to decide if a child needs to be placed in a different home or institution while providing family support and an attempt to reunite the child with his or her parents. Social workers may also see a child when they are working with individuals, groups, families, communities, or organizations with issues such as disabilities, mental health problems, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, and also traumatic experiences.

What Happens When a Child Calls Social Services?

When a child calls social services or any other person calls, an intake report is taken to determine if an investigation needs to be opened in regard to child abuse or neglect. A social worker or team of social workers will then visit the home of the child to determine if the abuse or neglect is substantiated and if it is, the social worker will determine whether or not the child needs to be placed in a different environment. If severe neglect or child abuse is found, the social worker may even make a police report to facilitate criminal charges against the abuser in this situation.

If the child needs to be removed from his or her home, the social worker will need to file an emergency custody order with the local court system so that a judge can grant permission for the child to be temporarily placed in the custody of the Children’s Services Agency. The social worker will then try to find the child suitable housing either with a relative or even a foster care placement so the child will be safe. An ongoing case plan is then developed by the social worker with the goal of family reunification if possible.

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