Child, Family, and School Social Workers
What They Do: Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.
Also Called: Adoption Social WorkerCase ManagerCase WorkerChild Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker)Family Protection SpecialistFamily Resource CoordinatorFamily Service WorkerFoster Care Social WorkerSchool Social WorkerYouth Services Specialist
Resource Details
On The Job
- Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
- Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
- Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
- Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
- Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.
Technology Skills
| Name | Example |
|---|---|
| Data base user interface and query software |
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| Computer based training software |
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| Spreadsheet software |
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| Medical software |
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| Electronic mail software |
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Tools Used
| Name | Example |
|---|---|
| Photocopiers |
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| Notebook computers |
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| Laser printers |
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| Special purpose telephones |
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| Laser fax machine |
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Knowledge
| Name | description |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
| Psychology | Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. |
| Therapy and Counseling | Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance. |
| English Language | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar. |
| Administrative | Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. |
Skills
| Name | description |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. |
| Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
Abilities
| Name | description |
|---|---|
| Oral Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
| Oral Comprehension | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
| Problem Sensitivity | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. |
| Written Comprehension | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
| Written Expression | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
Work Activities
| Name | description |
|---|---|
| Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
| Documenting/Recording Information | Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
| Getting Information | Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
Detailed Work Activities
- Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.
- Maintain client records.
- Write reports or evaluations.
- Advise others on healthcare matters.
- Counsel family members of clients or patients.
Work Context
| Name | description |
|---|---|
| How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail? | |
| Contact With Others | How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams? |
| Telephone Conversations | How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job? |
Job Zone
- Title:Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education:Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Related Experience:A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Job Training:Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
- Job Zone Examples:Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.
- Specific Vocational Preparation Scale Range:(7.0 to < 8.0)
Education
- Bachelor's degree
Percentage of Respondents:69
- Master's degree
Percentage of Respondents:26
- Associate's degree
Percentage of Respondents:6
Interests
| Name | description |
|---|---|
| Social | Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities. |
Work Styles
| Name | description |
|---|---|
| Concern for Others | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
| Dependability | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
| Stress Tolerance | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. |
| Integrity | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
| Adaptability/Flexibility | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
Work Values
| Name | description |
|---|---|
| Relationships | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
| Achievement | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
| Independence | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
Related Occupations
Job Outlook
- Description : New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Category : Average
Salary :
| Annual 10th percentile | Annual median | Annual 90th percentile | Hourly 10th percentile | Hourly median | Hourly 90th percentile |
| $40580 | $58570 | $94030 | $19.51 | $28.16 | $45.21 |
19.51
28.16
45.21