41300 – Social workers
41300 – Social workers
Social workers help individuals, couples, families, groups, communities and organizations develop the skills and resources they need to enhance social functioning and provide counselling, therapy and referral to other supportive social services. Social workers also respond to other social needs and issues such as unemployment, racism and poverty. They are employed by hospitals, school boards, social service agencies, child welfare organizations, correctional facilities, community agencies, employee assistance programs and Aboriginal band councils, or they may work in private practice.
Profile
Index of titles
Addiction social worker
Case management consultant - social work
Case management social worker
Case work consultant - social work
Casework supervisor - social work
Caseworker - social work
Certified social worker
Child welfare social worker
Children's aid investigator
Coordinator of social work
Family social worker
Geriatric social worker
Group social worker
Human relations officer - social work
Intake worker - social services
Medical social worker
Psychiatric social worker
Registered social worker
School social worker
Social casework consultant
Social work coordinator
Social work officer
Social work officer - Canadian Armed Forces
Social work supervisor
Social worker
Social workers supervisor
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
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 assist clients in developing skills to deal with and resolve their social and personal problems
Plan programs of assistance 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 as members 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 assist 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.
Employment requirements
A bachelor's degree in social work is required in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
In Alberta, a bachelor's degree or diploma in social work is 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 practise as a social worker in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
Use of the titles "Social Worker" and "Registered Social Worker" is regulated in all provinces.
Membership in a provincial association of social workers is usually required.
Additional information
Social workers may specialize in fields of practice such as child welfare, family services, corrections, gerontology or addictions.
Exclusions
Educational counsellors (41320)
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies (41301)
Managers in social, community and correctional services (40030)
Social and community service workers (42201)
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