Child, Family, & School Social Workers
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
- Student information systems SIS software
Computer based training software
- EasyCBM
Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Education
Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
master's degree
usually needed
master's degree
usually needed
Job Outlook
Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Explore More
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Marriage & Family Therapists
- Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Social & Human Service Assistants
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about child, family, and school social workers.
