Child, Family, & School Social Workers

client family social interests child information service counsel community patient problem

Case Manager, Family Protection Specialist, Family Service Worker, School Social Worker

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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Health

  • therapy and counseling

Math and Science

  • psychology
  • sociology and anthropology

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • looking for ways to help people

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Concern for Others
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Initiative

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Student information systems SIS software

Computer based training software

  • EasyCBM

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology In Demand

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
master's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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