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Career Exploration

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Also called: 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Health

  • therapy and counseling

Math and Science

  • psychology
  • sociology and anthropology

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

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

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

Social

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

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

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • Student information systems SIS software

Computer based training software

  • EasyCBM

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $50,820

Education

Bachelor's degree or master's degree is usually needed.