They connect a student's school and home life, and they assist in the social and personal development of students. School social workers see students individually and in groups, and they often handle emergency situations.
A few examples include
child welfare social workers, school social workers, and probation officers
. These professionals may also work in healthcare settings like clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. Social workers who work for colleges or universities often provide emotional counseling, therapy, or career counseling.
A social worker is
a health professional who helps people in times of crisis
. Their clients may include families, students, hospital patients or the elderly. Social workers can provide their clients with practical support, counselling, information and emotional support.
Teachers might make referrals to other agencies, but social workers are
trained specialists who have the skills and experience to detect abuse
, advocate for service users and apply appropriate theories. They work with a person-centred approach; something teachers are not trained to do.
The differences between teaching and social work
Teachers are charged with educational objectives, helping to instruct and guide students in an academic setting. Social workers are tasked with helping children cope with environmental, medical, and familial struggles.
Social worker salaries varied from $43,340 for mental health and substance abuse social workers to $54,870 for clinical social workers in 2012. Preschool and kindergarten teachers earned an average of $37,800 in 2012, while elementary and middle school teachers earned $56,180 and high school teachers earned $57,710.
- Child Welfare Social Workers. Child welfare social workers help resolve conflict in households with children. …
- Clinical Social Workers. …
- Forensic Social Workers (Criminal Justice) …
- Gerontological Social Workers. …
- Hospice and Palliative Social Workers. …
- Medical Social Workers. …
- Military Social Workers. …
- Pediatric Social Workers.
- Administration and Management. …
- Advocacy and Community Organization. …
- Aging. …
- Developmental Disabilities. …
- Health Care. …
- International Social Work. …
- Justice and Corrections. …
- Mental Health and Clinical Social Work.
Social workers are employed in a range of government, non-government and community agencies such as
hospitals
, community health centres, early intervention and child protection programs, family support services, schools, employment services, mental health services, justice, housing, disability and aged care services.
The most direct route to becoming a social worker is by enrolling in
a Bachelor of Social Work
. SACAP offers an excellent degree in Social Work with the advantage of learning from practicing professionals, in an environment of like-minded, passionate people and further opportunities to enrol in a masters.
The ambulatory healthcare services field
pays the highest social worker salary at $83,050. Social workers also earn some of the highest wages at federal agencies, brokerages and insurance companies, surgical hospitals, and insurance carriers.
All social workers have to work within a clear legal framework and
cannot do anything without having a sound legal reason
. Any decision to take a child into care- even for a very short time – has meet the criteria set out in legislation.
Social workers perform their roles and responsibilities within three interrelated levels of practice:
micro, mezzo, and macro
. These systems of practice use different methodologies to provide services to diverse populations, but they all operate within the Person-in-Environment (PIE) Theory.
Being a social worker involves
heavy amounts of emotional labor and going the extra mile with often limited resources to help patients
. Keep an eye on your energy level and monitor your own physical and mental health carefully, and when and where you need to, step away for a time to recharge.
Is being a teacher like being a parent?
Being a teacher is
like being a parent to many more children
, so the reward is huge! You get to celebrate so many successes and encourage “your children” through the challenges. I like to think of my class as a family, where we support each other-in both the good and the bad. … “I teach because it's my passion.
Social workers support individuals and their families through difficult times and ensure that vulnerable people, including children and adults, are safeguarded from harm. Their role is
to help improve outcomes in people's lives
. They maintain professional relationships and act as guides and advocates.
