Job Responsibilities
I am a Case Manager, and a Foster are worker for my Agency.
These jobs entail efforts of Family Preservation, Reunification,
and doing whatever is legally necessary to promote and guarantee
permanence for Neglected and Abused children. First and
foremost, I am a Children's Advocate. My job is Child Protective
Services (CPS). I do not have a BSW ( Bachelor of Social
Services), but I do have a Master's degree in Agency Counseling.
I perceive that my training is perfect for the work I do. A
child can not be safe unless the family is appropriate. My
counseling skills enable me to offer the guidance needed to
render a needy family appropriate.
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Job Requirements
Most Social Service Agencies require their Social Workers to have
a BSW. More and more Agencies are requirig a Master's Degree; a
degree in Counseling will suffice for most Departments of Social
Servce.
Courses in Psychology, Personality, Human Relationships and
Interactions are needed to grasp jobs in his field. Internships
prepare students for these jobs; an internship will most likely
be unpaid.
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Uppers
I am truly humbled and gratified when one of my Families successfully finishes a
Family Services Case Plan, and attains 'normalcy' with thei families. Every time
a child is made safe, there is reason for rejoicing!
Social Workers must be careful not to usurp the power they have. True power
comes in teaching families to recognize their own power to make and keep their
children environmentally safe, and secure...physically and mentally.
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Downers
When parents refuse to follow recommendtions that will keep their
families safe, and secure the children's return to them, it is
stressful! The worst part of my job is the breaking up of
families, because, no matter how inappropriate the parents are,
the children love them. The first harm done to children is
taking them from teir homes and parents, where there are familiar
surroundings.
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Lifestyle
One never knows what the work hours are. One must really love this job, and
feel (as I do) that the children are worth saving)because you might have to work
16 hours a day! The greatest perk in this job is the people who follow this line
of work. They are some of the best people in the world to work with. You will
find that the dress code is one of professonal demeanor...casual, yet unassuming
and neat.
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Compensation
Social Workers make little money:>). In my part of the Country,
the average starting salary is $30,000.00 yearly. There is a
Chrismas bonus, and occasional merit bonuses. Benefits are good;
one builds sick days and vacation days. Once the probationary
period is finishd, job security is very stable.
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Advice to Jobseekers
I perceive that this work will continue, and will add more jobs
in the future. As long as there are people, there will be a need
for Social Services.
People entering this field will do well to learn all they can
about Human interactions, Human nature. Only by becoming
knowledgeable in various ways to help people become the best of
what they can be, will Socal Workers be truly successful!
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