what is the main job that social workers do ?
145823
Social work has always been subject to competing claims of definition and practice, as social workers, politicians, service users and policy makers have struggled to lay claims on what social work is, and what it might be.\n\nIn 2001, the International Association of Schools of Social Work and the International Federation of Social Work agreed the following definition:\n\nThe social work profession promotes social change, problem-solving in human relationships, and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work ( IASSW (International Association of Schools of Social Work), 2001).\n\nWhatever the legitimate or validated notion of social work is seen to be, from other perspectives, social work can be seen to be an agent of social control. Far from addressing the inequalities with which we live, it may well play an important role in sustaining or perpetuating the very social and economic system which promotes such inequalities. Rather than liberating, it can be viewed as oppressive and for that reason not true to the core values on which it claims to be based (Jordan and Parkinson, 2001; Jordan, 2004).
576974
From what I know about it, it's a hard and tough job. I told my mom I wanted to go into the social sciences field when I get into college and she said that I could NEVER EVER become a social worker. I applaud them for their work, though, and too bad they can't be paid more than those professional atheletes.
1010540
I believe firstly you must figure out what exactly you want.  Do you solely want to make a lot of money?  Do you sincerly want to help people?  Sit down and think about it for a while before you decide to go back.  If you want to make money, I would not recommend Social Work for the simple fact the salary cap in that field with a LSW is only about $60k - $70K...that is not enough money.  Ultimately, I think you should do what makes you happy.
117824
Go to college. Major in Behavioral Sciences in community college and social work at university. You might want to consider a master after that to get more choice in what you do later on.
786597
You must have a baccalaureate (4-year) degree in Social Work.\n\nhttp://www.msboeswmft.com/socialworkerlicensing.html
582204
As someone who works in the social work field, all I can say is run away.  Find anything else in the world.  Find a job that allows you to leave work at work and just pay attention to friends and family, because they will be there when your clients are long gone.
498519
I have answered you in the past about what social workers do and i thought I would help broaden your horizon a little bit more. (I added a correction or rebuttal about the hours social workers work in response to the last guy saying all social workers work long hours...read my response...we all don't work long hours.)\n\nI am a social worker so let me inform you on why you want to be a social worker and inform you of some of the incorrect information that has been said on this answer.\n\nFirst we are not baby snatchers. A very small poercentages of social workers work for the state and an even smaller percentage work for the childrens division for investigations because of all the cutbacks the various state are curerently doing.\n\nYour jobs can be 40 hours a week or more than forty hours a week.  It depends a lot on what you want to do with your career.  I gave you a list last time of all the different job opportunites.\n\nThe nation is begging for more social workers. Hospitals, nursing homes, schools (to name a few) are all reversing the past trend and are increasing the number of social workers they are hiring. They have decided we perform an important function in the day to day operations of their buisnesses. \n\nThird most people have a very good experience with social workers. We are not the whores and the underdogs that some people seem to think we are. We are their to help not hinder. One of our fundamental codes of ethics is the right to self-determination. We are their to help the client not to harm them.\n\n***********************************************************\nPay is always an issue but the benefit of our profession is the babyboomers are currently retiring in record numbers and our payscale is going up. We are not limited to one area to work in. You can go in to private practice. You can work for a for-profit agency. I know social workers that make $65,000 a year. I have seen social worker become directors of agency and have seen them work for congressman..  it is all up to you with what you want to do with your degree.\n************************************************************\n\nGo into social work because you want to.  Go into with an open heart...a good heart.  GDon't become jaded and think the world has to be perfect.  Help the people you can and no you are making a difference.  You will make a wonderful social worker if you keep your personal life and your professional life seperate.\n\nOkay let me add another note to try and correct the mininforamtion that once agin given in this site....it depends on where you work if you work more than forty...some social workers work straight 40 hours...(private practice, substance abuse counselors (my job), hospital social workers ( i know many of them), the onces that work more than forty hours are usually state workers that are on call 24/7...they choose to do those jobs ...it means they love what they do or  they won't be doing them....if you work your way up the ladder and became a supervisor...guess what your more important and you are going to be doing more work...you have that in almost all fields....people get promotions thay work more not less....we are not special or any different.....don't get scared because some people don't work in the field and don't know what they are talking about.\n\nIf you have any questions e-mail me.\nambrinker@prodigy.net
380405
Careers:  Child welfare, adoptions and foster care and specialty children's service\nCareers in aging\nCareers in Mental Health:  Inpatient services and community support programs\nCareers in: Alcohol, substance abuse, chemical dependency\nCareers in Health\nCareers in: Community development, economic development, and community organizing\nCareers in education and School social Work\nCareers in Disability Services\nCareers in fund raising/community relations/marketing\nCareers in group services\ncareers in homeless services\nCareers in human resources\nCareers in International and refugee services\nCareers in Justice services, victims services, domestic relations and family violence\nCareers in policy/advocacy/political arena\n\nI hope this helps broadens your ideas of what a social worker does....we do much more than most people think we do.
135136
go to social services
1152936
The best thing to do is to check with the college for this answer.\nMany colleges have a social worker degree available. \nAs a former foster parent, I dealt with SW's all the time, and it seemed that most of them had schooling in sociaology, psychology, etc.
203369
They take care of babies, and teenagers too. They just monitor their health and give vaccinations. If there's a serious problem they refer them to a specialist. They also write perscriptions for things like earaches, and other common childhood illnesses. Oh, and they also check if a child is developing properly, for instance if they are learning to walk and talk at the age they are supposed to. \n\nIf you are willing to go through more than 6 years of college after high school, and do a lot of studying, it may be the career for you.
206862
your local hospital social worker or human services will have your answer and even help find placement.
518635
I am a social worker and I hate people.  My next job will have no people in it.  Widgets here I come.  Seriously, it can be exasperating and stressful and it seems the rewards are fewer and far between.
329124
Degree in Sociology or Social Science or Social Welfare.
638589
What kind of work are you in?
698957
That there are people working to support them and their social programs!
634609
someone that dosen't just want a job but a career. Someone who wants to stand up and change child rights. Someone who knows right from wrong and someone who can handle hearing a lot of broken families stories and not break down themselves. Someone who is truly there to help and not just some textbook social worker. Someone who can connect with these people and feel what they are saying and not just hearing it and perciveing it. Someone who is smart and not afraid to ask for help when they actually need it. Someone who is not everything that a lot of them are today...someone who is different