What is a Social Worker?
A Social Worker, supports individuals and their families through difficult times, helping to find solutions to their problems, with the aim of improving future outcomes for them. They work to ensure that vulnerable people, including children and adults, are safeguarded from harm and are able to live more independently. They need to maintain professional relationships and act as a guide and advocate.Â
Social Workers can work in a variety of settings, which can include schools, hospitals or on the premises of other public sector and voluntary organisations. They usually specialise in either supporting children and their families or vulnerable adults.
Your responsibilities
- Conducting interviews with individuals and families to assess and review their situation
- Documenting assessments, which meet specified standards and timescales
- Offering information and support
- Organising and managing packages of support to enable people to lead the fullest lives possible
- Recommending the best course of action and sometimes making decisions about the best course of action for a particular person or family
- Liaising with, and making referrals to, other agencies
- Participating in multidisciplinary teams meetings regarding, for example, child protection or mental health
- Maintaining accurate records and preparing reports for legal action
- Giving evidence in court
- Participating in training, supervision and team meetings
What You'll need
Core skills
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in a crisis
- Flexibility to adapt to new roles, tasks and situations
- Able to use own initiative
- Strong observation, analytical and listening skills
- Capacity to absorb legal and procedural information
- Ability to negotiate, mediate and interpret on behalf of service users
- Good organisational skills to work autonomously and plan meetings for a caseload of clients
what You'll Gain
Transferable skills
- Time management and prioritising tasks
- Ability to communicate with people from different background and cultures
- Team working skills to work with other social care and health professionals such as Social Workers and Housing Officers
- Problem solving skills to advise people on the best support for them
What You'll Use
Key skills
English
- Preparing reports
- Understanding policies, procedures and regulations
- Writing up assessments
- Communicating with colleagues
Maths
- Basic numeracy skills
- Assisting with financial budgeting
- Basic calculations
IT
- Maintain accurate records using common software applications
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
Role opportunities
These are some possible roles you may consider in your career journey. Discuss with your Inspiro Coach for further guidance.
Other related routes
Direct roles
Explore roles a Personal Assistant, Activities, Rehabilitation or Shared Lives worker
Social care
Become a Housing Support Officer, Volunteer Coordinator, Welfare Rights Officer or an Employment Advisor
Regulatory
Get into roles such as Occupational Therapist, Registered Nurse or a Counsellor
Other
Try roles such as Kitchen Assistant, Housekeeper, Driver or Maintenance
Resources
Career Development Handbook
Click on the image
to download the
career development handbook
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