Social Workers
(NOC 4152)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesSocial 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 Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Job opportunities in this profession are influenced by government funding and factors related to the general wellness of the population. Growing services for veterans and those with mental-health issues, alongside an aging population, are positive factors for the employment prospects for this occupation. The provincial social workers association has reported on the long-standing issue of turnover in the occupation related to the stressful work environment, high caseloads and staff burnout. Many new social workers begin their career in child services, as job tends to be more available, before progressing into other areas of social work.
Hourly Pay
$23.08
Minimum$35.64
Median$46.43
MaximumAnnual Pay
$24,924
Minimum$64,444
Median$83,730
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$16.30
Minimum$30.00
Median$51.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
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.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$65,381 median annual incomeCape Breton
$69,809 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$63,435 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$62,813 median annual incomeSouthern
$56,561 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Public administration
Educational services
Other services (except public administration)
Finance and insurance
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
25-34
45-54
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$62,816 median annual incomeMaster
$72,230 median annual incomeDiploma Above Bachelor
$65,362 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$49,501 median annual incomeHigh school
$47,951 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
Social Work
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students for the professional practice of social welfare administration and counselling, and focus on the study of organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups. They include courses in social welfare policy, case work planning, social counselling and intervention strategies, administrative procedures and regulations, and specific applications in areas like child welfare and family services, probation, employment services, and disability counselling.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.