Social Workers

Nature of work

Social workers help individuals, couples, families, groups, communities, and organizations develop the skills and resources they need to enhance social functioning and social environments. They provide counselling, therapy, and referral to other supportive social services. Social workers also respond to other social needs and issues like unemployment, racism, and poverty. They work for hospitals, school regions, social service agencies, child welfare organizations, prisons, community agencies, employee assistance programs, and Aboriginal band councils, or they may work in private practice. Social workers may specialize in fields of practice like child welfare, family services, corrections, gerontology, or addictions.

Job duties

Social workers:

• Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, to assess their situation and problems and determine the types of services required.
• Provide counsel and therapy to help clients develop skills to deal with and resolve their social and personal problems.
• Plan assistance programs for clients including referral to agencies that provide financial assistance, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, and other services.
• Investigate cases of child abuse or neglect and take authorized protective action when necessary.
• Serve on interdisciplinary teams of professionals working with client groups.
• Act as advocates for client groups in the community, lobby for solutions to problems directly affecting client groups, and develop prevention and intervention programs to meet community needs.
• Develop or advise on social policy legislation, conduct social research, and help in community development.
• Provide mediation services and psychosocial assessments.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of counselling and social programs.
• May provide public education and consultation to professionals or groups regarding counselling services, issues, and methods.
• May supervise other social workers.

Sample job titles

• addiction social worker
• case management social worker
• caseworker - social work
• child welfare social worker
• coordinator of social work
• family social worker
• psychiatric social worker
• school social worker
• schools plus facilitator
• social casework consultant
• social worker

Skills

You should have an interest in the social welfare of others and a desire to help them. Patience, maturity, good listening skills, and an understanding of human nature are important. You must be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing. You must have the ability to demonstrate fair and ethical judgements and maintain confidentiality as the norm. Leadership, reasoning, and decision-making skills are also necessary.

Job requirements

• A bachelor's degree in social work is required in Nova Scotia.
• A master’s of social work may be required.
• Supervised practical experience is usually required.
• Successful completion of provincial written and oral examinations may be required.
• Registration with a provincial governing body is mandatory to practice as a social worker in Nova Scotia.
• Use of the titles "Social Worker" and "Registered Social Worker" is regulated in Nova Scotia.
• Membership in a provincial association of social workers is usually required.
• To work in the public school system a Bachelor of Education and experience working as a teacher is considered an asset.

Other considerations

Working conditions vary depending on workplace. Social workers may work irregular hours, evenings, or weekends.

Regulations

Contacts

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