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Child, Family and School Social Worker
Hey I understand that a child, family and school social worker, work with children and families who are struggling with social and psychological issues at schools, in the home or in their communities. And these environments interact with a wide variety of issues related to children, families and school life. But what is a day like in the social working business? #social-work #children #family
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Daniela Silva
Freelance Writer in Mental Health and Education
922
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Daniela’s Answer
Hi, Dezarae,
Being a social worker requires time, dedication and a passion for helping others in need. It is not the type of job where you can punch a time clock and leave at the end of eight hours. A social worker performs a variety of duties and her life is never dull. While no two days are exactly the same, the essential functions of the job do not change.
Client Evaluations
One of the essential functions of a social worker is to meet and evaluate clients to determine what services are needed to help them. Usually this is done in a private office setting, but there are occasions when social workers have to travel to such places as hospitals to meet with a potential client. Depending on what services are requested, the potential client may be required to fill out forms to determine eligibility.
Updating Files
As with any job, proper documentation of client files is essential when performing the duties of a social worker. It is your responsibility to keep your notes as clearly and accurately as possible in case any consultation comes into question.
In addition, accurate notes on all consultations and visits helps social workers determine when the client has achieved the goals of his treatment plan and is ready to be discharged from care.
Monitoring Visits
Depending on what area of social work you are in, it may be essential to schedule home visits to monitor a client’s progress. This allows a social worker to visit a client’s residence and observe her environment to be sure all areas of the agreed-upon treatment plan are being followed. If an area is lacking, suggestions are made and followed up on during the next home visit.
Court Testimony
Sometimes it may be necessary to report progress and initial determinations to the court. This is especially true during child custody and elderly care situations. Court testimony shows how very important it is to properly notate a client’s files and follow up with home visits on a regular basis. A person’s life could very well depend upon your findings.
What It Takes to Be a Good Social Worker
To be a good social worker, you must be compassionate and have a true desire to work with people, sometimes in very unsavory situations. You have to be willing to go out of your comfort zone and set your own needs on the back burner. You must also have the necessary skills to be a good social worker in the mental health field. If you don't know your counseling styles or you don't feel comfortable using them, then you should probably try to find another way to help people. You have to be self-confident, or clients won't be confident in your abilities.
You also need a good poker face. Clients say and do some shocking things, and you have to be able to roll with it just as though they'd told you their aunt grows daisies instead of, for example, that they were raped by their father until they were twelve. Finally, you must be willing to grow and to admit that you'll never know everything. That's why the Board requires social workers to take continuing education.
https://careertrend.com/info-8440844-daily-routines-social-worker.html
https://www.vocationary.com/blog/day-job-social-worker
Good luck!
Being a social worker requires time, dedication and a passion for helping others in need. It is not the type of job where you can punch a time clock and leave at the end of eight hours. A social worker performs a variety of duties and her life is never dull. While no two days are exactly the same, the essential functions of the job do not change.
Client Evaluations
One of the essential functions of a social worker is to meet and evaluate clients to determine what services are needed to help them. Usually this is done in a private office setting, but there are occasions when social workers have to travel to such places as hospitals to meet with a potential client. Depending on what services are requested, the potential client may be required to fill out forms to determine eligibility.
Updating Files
As with any job, proper documentation of client files is essential when performing the duties of a social worker. It is your responsibility to keep your notes as clearly and accurately as possible in case any consultation comes into question.
In addition, accurate notes on all consultations and visits helps social workers determine when the client has achieved the goals of his treatment plan and is ready to be discharged from care.
Monitoring Visits
Depending on what area of social work you are in, it may be essential to schedule home visits to monitor a client’s progress. This allows a social worker to visit a client’s residence and observe her environment to be sure all areas of the agreed-upon treatment plan are being followed. If an area is lacking, suggestions are made and followed up on during the next home visit.
Court Testimony
Sometimes it may be necessary to report progress and initial determinations to the court. This is especially true during child custody and elderly care situations. Court testimony shows how very important it is to properly notate a client’s files and follow up with home visits on a regular basis. A person’s life could very well depend upon your findings.
What It Takes to Be a Good Social Worker
To be a good social worker, you must be compassionate and have a true desire to work with people, sometimes in very unsavory situations. You have to be willing to go out of your comfort zone and set your own needs on the back burner. You must also have the necessary skills to be a good social worker in the mental health field. If you don't know your counseling styles or you don't feel comfortable using them, then you should probably try to find another way to help people. You have to be self-confident, or clients won't be confident in your abilities.
You also need a good poker face. Clients say and do some shocking things, and you have to be able to roll with it just as though they'd told you their aunt grows daisies instead of, for example, that they were raped by their father until they were twelve. Finally, you must be willing to grow and to admit that you'll never know everything. That's why the Board requires social workers to take continuing education.
https://careertrend.com/info-8440844-daily-routines-social-worker.html
https://www.vocationary.com/blog/day-job-social-worker
Good luck!
Angela Chan
Social services manager, Community advocate, Experienced in partnership and collaboration development
57
Answers
Updated
Angela’s Answer
Hi Dezarae:
School social workers work closely with teachers, school administrators, students and parents. Students who are struggling in school are often referred to school socials workers to explore what is going on and why the student is having a hard time learning and being successful in school. The social worker and student along with parents often come up with a plan of action that outline small steps that need to be taken to reach the goal. The goal can be improved school attendance, passing classes, reducing number of incidents of being sent out of class, etc.
School social workers must know about community resources so they can refer students and families to resources as needed such as medical assistance, food programs, counseling services, etc. Also need knowledge about education code, family systems, human and youth development.
Good luck,
angela
School social workers work closely with teachers, school administrators, students and parents. Students who are struggling in school are often referred to school socials workers to explore what is going on and why the student is having a hard time learning and being successful in school. The social worker and student along with parents often come up with a plan of action that outline small steps that need to be taken to reach the goal. The goal can be improved school attendance, passing classes, reducing number of incidents of being sent out of class, etc.
School social workers must know about community resources so they can refer students and families to resources as needed such as medical assistance, food programs, counseling services, etc. Also need knowledge about education code, family systems, human and youth development.
Good luck,
angela