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.
Work Activities
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Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
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Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
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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.
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Counsel students whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical impairment indicate a need for assistance, diagnosing students' problems and arranging for needed services.
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Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
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Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.
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Evaluate personal characteristics and home conditions of foster home or adoption applicants.
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Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required.
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Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
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Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
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Conduct social research.
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Refer clients to community resources for services, such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply.
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Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports.
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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.
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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.
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Supervise other social workers.
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Lead group counseling sessions that provide support in such areas as grief, stress, or chemical dependency.
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Serve on policy-making committees, assist in community development, and assist client groups by lobbying for solutions to problems.
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Determine clients' eligibility for financial assistance.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
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Currently Employed
10,600
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Yearly Projected Openings
1,150
- Education
Bachelor's degree
- Work Experience
No work experience
- Training
No on-the-job training
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Looking for technical training programs?
Check out these programs:
Social:
People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
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Concern for Others
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Dependability
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Stress Tolerance
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Integrity
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Adaptability/Flexibility
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Initiative
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Personal computers
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Notebook computers
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Laser printers
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Laser fax machine
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Desktop computers
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Medical software
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Internet browser software
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Electronic mail software
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Data base user interface and query software
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Computer based training software
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InDemand occupations are considered a priority
by the state of Ohio.
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Bright Outlook occupations will grow rapidly in the next few years, have a large number of openings, or are new and emerging careers.
