Some social workers work with adults and others with children and families. Social workers need to be good listeners, have plenty of patience and possess great observational and investigatory skills. These pages tell you more about what the job involves and hear from social workers working in different areas, to provide an idea of the variety of roles that might be of interest.
What does a children and families social worker do?
Social workers working in children and families services form relationships with children and families who are facing challenges. By supporting and working with them, the social worker finds and develops long lasting solutions.
If you become a social worker, you’ll act as an adviser, an advocate (including in court), a counsellor and sometimes just a listener. You’ll have to know how the law works and be fully up to speed with the social welfare system. Not only will you work with families and children, but also with their friends. You will work together with other professionals like teachers, doctors, nurses, police and lawyers. Sometimes you’ll act on behalf of these other professionals, but sometimes you will challenge their decisions to make sure the very best options are available to help the child and family
