What do social workers do? (2024)

Key facts

  • Social workers are qualified professionals who help support people, often during a crisis.
  • Social workers provide counselling, information and links to other support services.
  • A social worker can help you if you have problems with your physical or mental health, finances or living situation.
  • You can find a social worker through Centrelink, your local hospital or your doctor.

What is a social worker?

Social workers are allied health professionals. They help people needing support to make changes in their lives.

Social workers can provide counselling, information and referrals to other services.

A social worker can help you to face life's challenges. Social workers often support people with issues relating to:

  • addiction or gambling
  • alcohol and other drugs
  • poverty, homelessness or housing stress
  • financial stress
  • mental wellbeing and illness
  • domestic and family violence
  • physical health and disabilities
  • social injustice and discrimination
  • child and family, and other relationships

What training does a social worker have?

Social workers are educated at university. They are trained in human behaviour and development, families, social justice, disability and health (including mental health).

Social workers must meet certain professional standards and are accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Social workers who have additional training in mental health issues are called Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSW).

What does a social worker do?

Social workers provide a broad range of services, including:

  • personal and family counselling
  • information and referral to other services
  • service coordination or care management
  • advocacy and support for disadvantaged people

If you have a social worker, they can help you:

  • find emergency accommodation
  • get financial support
  • with health or legal services

They can coordinate your different support providers, and help you to find your way through the healthcare system.

Where can I get help from a social worker?

You can find social workers in

They also work in child protection services, family support, housing, refugee facilities and the justice system. Some social workers work in private practice.

When might I need a social worker?

There are many reasons for seeing a social worker. They can help if you:

  • are in any sort of personal crisis
  • have experienced family violence
  • are worried about your children or your family's welfare
  • have mental health issues
  • are homeless
  • are affected by a natural disaster or any sort of trauma

Social workers can also help if you:

  • are a young person without support
  • have problems with gambling, substance abuse, poverty or unemployment
  • have been unwell or need rehabilitation
  • have a disability

How do I find a social worker?

One way to find a qualified social worker is through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Directory. You can search the directory by name, location or services provided.

Your doctor can also help you to find a suitable social worker.

You can speak to a Centrelink social worker by calling the same number you use to call Centrelink and asking to speak to a social worker, or by visiting your local service centre.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

Resources and Support

Find out more about social workers on the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) website.

Learn about Australian Government social work services on the Services Australia website. You can watch their video about social work services.

If you are having a personal crisis, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or chat online.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What do social workers do? (2024)

FAQs

What do social workers do? ›

Helping people obtain tangible services. Counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups. Helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services. Participating in legislative processes.

What does a social worker really do? ›

Social workers help relieve people's suffering, fight for social justice, and improve lives and communities. Most people think of social workers when they think of poverty alleviation and child welfare. Many social workers do that kind of work — and we do much more.

What must social workers do? ›

As a social worker, you'll work with people to find solutions to their problems. This may be helping to protect vulnerable people from harm or abuse or supporting people to live independently. You'll work with clients, their families and others around them and with different client groups including: the elderly.

What makes a social worker a good social worker? ›

They know how and where to find resources, ideas and answers. Working with some of the nation's most vulnerable people, social workers empathize with their clients and the challenges they're facing. But compassion takes it a step further. These caring professionals have a desire to help — and do.

What is a good answer for why you want to be a social worker? ›

It helps assess their passion for the field and their understanding of the job requirements. Answer: 1. I was inspired to become a social worker after volunteering at a homeless shelter during college. I realized that I have a strong passion for helping others and advocating for those who are underserved.

What is social work in simple words? ›

Social work is a practice-based profession that promotes social change, development, cohesion and the empowerment of people and communities. Social work involves the understanding of human development, behavior and the social, economic and cultural institutions and interactions.

What does a social worker do in a day? ›

Social workers spend their days helping people with complicated psychological, health, social, or financial problems. They assist families in need and people who are the victims of abuse. They provide counseling, advice, and direction for people who would otherwise have no way of bettering their situations.

What is social work practice? ›

Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve social and ...

Who needs social workers most? ›

Aging population: As populations age, the need for social workers to support older adults with healthcare, mental health, and social services increases. Growing social problems: Issues like poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues can strain existing social worker resources, creating higher.

How do you explain what a social worker is to a child? ›

Social workers help people cope with problems in their everyday lives. Social workers assist the poor, children, people with disabilities or serious illnesses, or the elderly. This kind of help is called social services. There are many types of social workers.

What are the 10 roles of a social worker? ›

Responsibilities of a Social Worker
  • Assess Your Client. ...
  • Create and Implement A Treatment Plan. ...
  • Secure and Refer Needed Resources. ...
  • Evaluate and Monitor Improvement. ...
  • Serve as a Client's Advocate. ...
  • An Overview of the Social Work Profession. ...
  • Make More Than a Difference. ...
  • References.

What is your strength as a social worker? ›

A good social worker's top qualities are being non-judgemental, well organized, proactive and an excellent communicator. Example: “I know that being caring and non-judgemental is crucial to building a relationship with clients, and I possess these qualities.

What words describe social workers? ›

Words used to describe social workers include but are not limited to: change agents, problem solvers, critical thinkers, facilitators, advocators, counselors, clinicians, organizers, activists, planners, politicians, lobbyist, writers, and researchers. What are examples of employment settings for social workers?

How do I pass a social work interview? ›

Explain why you think social work is crucial to society and how you believe you can make a positive difference. If you've completed work experience or volunteering that proved social work was the career for you, use examples from these experiences to strengthen your answer.

What is your strength sample? ›

Sample Answer

“My greatest strength is my ability to excel in highly pressurized situations. I have found creative ways to keep calm when working under pressure, for example, organizing my work more efficiently and getting the MOST important work done during the times I am MOST productive.

What questions do social workers ask clients? ›

Situation Questions

What brought you here today? When did this situation first begin? How does your living situation make you feel? Has this happened before?

What are the benefits of seeing a social worker? ›

Your social worker is there to listen to you, support you and to help make decisions about your life. They should always help you to understand why you are looked after, talk to you about all the decisions that are made and why, and will help you to make plans for the future.

What is the hardest part of being a social worker? ›

Working with vulnerable people

One unmissable challenge of a social work job is interacting with vulnerable people daily. To be successful in social work, you need to be patient, and empathetic and have strong communication and interpersonal skills.

What is the mindset of a social worker? ›

A growth mindset in social work is creative, reflective and is self-directed in learning as well as always finding solutions to problems, being active not passive observers.

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