A social worker is a professional who helps people cope with the challenges of everyday life. They work with individuals, families, and groups to promote social and emotional well-being. Social workers may also provide direct services such as counseling, crisis intervention, and case management.

Social Worker Job Responsibilities

  • Provide direct service to clients through assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, and referral
  • Conduct home visits to assess client needs and develop service plans
  • Advocate for clients in systems such as schools, courts, hospitals, and social service agencies
  • Collaborate with other professionals to coordinate services for clients
  • Keep detailed records of client progress and communicate updates to case managers or supervisors
  • Write reports documenting client assessment results and care plan goals

Objectives

  • To provide direct social work services to individuals, families, groups, and communities in order to promote social functioning and wellbeing.
  • To advocate for social justice on behalf of vulnerable populations.
  • To develop and implement educational and prevention programs aimed at improving the overall health and wellbeing of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
  • To collaborate with other professionals in order to best meet the needs of clients/patients.
  • To maintain professional competence through continued education and training.

Social Worker Job Skills & Qualifications Needed

  • There is no onesize-fits-all answer to this question, as the skills and qualifications needed for the role of social worker will vary depending on the specific field and setting in which they work. However, most social workers will need to have at least a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) from an accredited university, as well as a professional license from their state's licensing board. Additionally, many employers may require social workers to have a master's degree in social work (MSW), although this is not always necessary.