Child, Family, and School Social Workers

The work

Core tasks

1. 01Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
2. 02Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
3. 03Serve 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.
4. 04Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
5. 05Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.
6. 06Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required.
7. 07Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
8. 08Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
9. 09Refer 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.
10. 10Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, child care, or medical care.
11. 11Provide, 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.
12. 12Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading