What You'll Do

  • Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
  • Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, child care, or medical care.
  • Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
  • Counsel students whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical impairment indicate a need for assistance, diagnosing students' problems and arranging for needed services.
  • Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
  • Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required.
  • Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
  • Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports.
  • Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.
  • Provide, find, or arrange for support services, such as child care, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes to prevent more serious problems from developing.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 4.88/5
Speaking 4.5/5
Critical Thinking 4.12/5
Social Perceptiveness 4.12/5
Reading Comprehension 4.0/5
Service Orientation 4.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 4.0/5
Monitoring 3.88/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.88/5
Writing 3.75/5
Coordination 3.75/5
Persuasion 3.75/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Concern for Others, Dependability, Stress Tolerance, Integrity, Adaptability/Flexibility

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Expression 4.62/5
Oral Comprehension 4.38/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.25/5
Written Comprehension 4.12/5
Written Expression 4.12/5
Speech Clarity 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.88/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

EasyCBM Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Patient electronic medical record EMR software Student information systems SIS software Web browser software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.62/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.49/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.31/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.29/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 4.19/5)

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How to Become One

Most employers require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Some positions may also require experience through internships, co-ops, or entry-level work to strengthen your candidacy.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Adolescent Counselor Adoption Agent Adoption Coordinator Adoption Counselor Adoption Social Worker Adoption Specialist Adoption Worker Case Manager Case Worker Casework Supervisor Caseworker Certified Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW) Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW) Child Abuse Worker Child Advocate Child and Family Services Worker Child and Family Specialist Child Care Counselor Child Development Consultant Child Protection Specialist Child Protective Investigator Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker) Child Protective Services Specialist Child Welfare Caseworker Child Welfare Consultant Child Welfare Counselor Child Welfare Social Worker Child Welfare Specialist Child Welfare Worker Children's Counselor Community Organization Worker Delinquency Prevention Social Worker Early Intervention Specialist Early Interventionist Family Advocate Family Caseworker Family Intervention Specialist Family Manager Family Preservation Caseworker Family Preservation Worker Family Protection Specialist Family Resource Coordinator Family Service Caseworker Family Service Worker Family Services Specialist Family Support Specialist Family Support Worker Field Representative Field Service Representative Foster Care Social Worker Foster Care Worker Group Worker Income Maintenance Caseworker Interventionist Juvenile Counselor Juvenile Officer Juvenile Specialist Licensed Social Worker LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker) Parent Educator Program Support Specialist Protective Services Social Worker Public Housing Community Relations and Services Advisor School Social Worker School Therapist Social Worker Youth Advocate Youth Care Specialist Youth Development Specialist Youth Services Specialist Youth Specialist