Child, Family, and School Social Worker
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.
Annual openings
873
BLS median wage
$63,720
Typical education
A Bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a program accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) is required.
10-year growth
+9%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
A Bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a program accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) is required.
Credential requirement
No certification is required for this job. However, many employers value moving beyond this role to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker so you can operate independently without supervision.
Work experience
This does not require previous work experience; however, a person could work in a lower-level Behavioral Health role first.
Employer competency information
Feedback from employers identifies the following critical competencies and how they apply for this job
- Customer Focus — Focusing on and understanding the client is the foundation for this job; for instance, planning group counseling sessions to address the different needs of each patient and adjusting treatments based on an individual’s needs.
- Psychology, Therapy and Counseling — The knowledge and ability to understand a patient’s behavior, identify possible causes, and develop appropriate treatments and interventions.
- Communication — The ability to quickly and concisely summarize and articulate the most pertinent patient-related information.
- Interpersonal Skills and Teamwork — Examples are understanding a patient’s culture/background and how it impacts the treatment and the ability to an effectively run a group consisting of diverse backgrounds. In addition, treatment in a hospital setting is always a team effort.
- Critical & Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving & Decision Making — The ability to look at multiple aspects of a patient objectively and subjectively and assessing, implementing and adjusting treatments.
- Integrity — Ethical behavior to protect your patients and maintain appropriate boundaries are two key aspects of this job.
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Automation exposure
Low exposure
Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.
A typical day
- 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.
- 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.
- Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required.
- Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.