Job Skills
To be a family social worker, you’ll need to be trustworthy, stable, and mature to deal calmly and responsibly with people and families in crisis. You should be able to work independently or as a team member, and to get along with a variety of people.

Income
In 2008, the median annual salary for child, family, and school workers was $39,530. The median earnings of the lowest 10 percent of workers were $25,870, and the top 10 percent’s median earnings were $66,430. The highest numbers of child, school, and family social workers were employed by elementary and secondary schools (mean annual salary $56,570) and local government agencies (mean annual salary $48,440).

Training and Education
There are three levels of social work training and education: the bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), the master’s degree (MSW), and the doctorate (DSW or PhD).
• BSW. To be a family social worker, you’ll need at least a BSW, which requires at least 400 hours of supervised fieldwork in addition to 4 years of classroom courses.
• MSW. You’ll need an MSW to work in health settings or to do clinical or private work. An MSW takes about 2 years of classes beyond your BSW and requires at least 900 hours of supervised internship.
• DSW or PhD. To teach social work in a college or university, you’ll need a DSW or PhD in social work. A DSW of PhD also allows you conduct research into problems or questions relating to family social work.
All states have license, certificate, or registration requirements, although requirements vary from state to state. As of 2006, there were 458 BSW and 181 MSW programs in the U.S. accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. There were also 74 doctoral programs accredited by the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education.

Employment
Child, school, and family social workers held about 282,000 jobs in 2006.

Job Outlook
Between 2006 and 2016, the number of jobs for child, school, and family social workers is predicted to increase by 19 percent, which is higher than the average growth for all jobs. Your opportunities will be greatest in rural areas, where it’s often difficult to attract and retain qualified social workers. Social workers who specialize in helping those with disabilities or want to work in public schools may have the best employment opportunities.
With the right education and certification, you can become a supervisor, manage a program, or direct a family social work agency or department.

The CAPTA definition reads: “at a minimum, any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”

Types of Child Abuse
With the above definition as a foundation, individual states are responsible for their own definitions of abuse and neglect, falling into one or more of four general categories: Neglect, Physical, Sexual, and Emotional abuse. Below, a brief look at basic characteristics of each category.

Neglect: Failure to provide for a child’s basic needs to allow for proper physical, emotional, and mental growth and development. Lack of proper nourishment, education, safety, clothing, shelter and/or medical care.

Physical: Intentional harm caused to a child’s person by any form of physical assault regardless of intent. Lack of provision of medical care for injured or ill child.

Sexual: Any activity on a child such as fondling of genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation via pornographic materials and/or prostitution.

Emotional: Psychological damage inflicted on a child by way of threats, insults, extreme punishment, fear, rejection, and isolation, ignoring, or any act or word which hinders positive mental, social, and emotional development.

Recognizing the Signs
Maltreatment can take on any form or combination, including, but not limited to, those listed above. It is important that caregivers, educators, and community members be aware of what to look for when maltreatment is suspected.

Cases must always be considered on an individual basis, with regard to the specifics of the situation. No two abuse patterns are exactly alike and no list of consequential behaviors is ever exhaustive. A single sign may not be indicative of abuse. However, patterns, consistencies or a combination of signs merit a closer look. The following traits are commonly seen in children suffering a type of abuse or neglect:

Physical
• Recurrent bruising, injuries, burns.
• Injuries in the shape of an object (belt buckle,etc).
• Infections indicating delay or neglect of treatment.
• Injuries may be in various stages of healing.
• Lack of hygiene and grooming.
• Soiled clothes, lack of appropriate seasonal wear.

Behavioral
• Sudden change in behavior or school performance.
• Overly compliant, passive, timid, withdrawn.
• Delays going home from school or functions.
• Excuses for injuries that do not seem consistent or believable.
• Frequent absences from or lateness to school.
• Difficulty concentrating, depression.
• Self-destructive/self-abusive behavior.

Sexual Abuse
Signs may be specific to sexual abuse.
• Difficulty sitting or walking.
• Bloodied underwear.
• Genital bruising/tearing.
• Knowledge of a sexual nature inconsistent with age.
• An older child behaving like a younger child (such as bed-wetting or thumb sucking)
• Has new words for private body parts.
• Resists removing clothes when appropriate times (bath, bed, toileting, diapering).
• Asks other children to behave sexually or play sexual games.
• Mimics adult-like sexual behaviors with toys or stuffed animal.
• Wetting and soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training.

Reporting Child Abuse
If you suspect or know a child is being abused, notify a social worker, your local police department.

They assist patients, families and caregivers with short term and long term planning. They can also provide counseling services to assist with such issues as loss and grief or coping with lifestyle changes and other issues involving health status.

The MSW (Master’s in Social Work) assesses for the social, physical, financial and psychological needs of the patients and assist them in attaining these. For instance, they can assist the elderly to find care in their own homes or an appropriate level of care in assisted living or total care environments. They can assist parents with their needs and issues in caring for infants and children with birth defects and chronic illnesses.

MSWs also help patients and families to cope with the challenges of hospice care and the bereavement issues after the death.

Education and Training
For social workers, the minimum level of education is a bachelor of science in social work (BSW). However, for reimbursement purposes, a master’s degree is usually required (MSW). For those who wish to teach social work, a PhD in social work is most often required.

Course work beyond general education requirements includes classes in behavioral sciences, human growth and development, social sciences, basic psychology, social environment studies, social welfare policies and methods of social work.

License/Certification
All states in the U.S require that social workers be either licensed, certified or registered. Certification is offered to MSWs with two years of experience who are members of the National Association of Social workers and pass a written examination. Most states require 3,000 hours/2 years of supervision to become a licensed social worker (LCSW).

There are a variety of other credentials which can be earned through specific areas of study for social workers to advance in their particular career path.

Work Environment and Salary
Many social workers are employed by hospitals, skilled nursing facilities or the public health department. They also work for home health agencies and hospices, crisis centers, mental health facilities, schools, and substance abuse facilities. Some work in private practice.

Median salaries vary depending upon the nature of the work, but ranged between $35,000 to $43,000 in May, 2006 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall salaries ranged from $24,480 to slightly over $68,000 per year according to these statistics.

Job Outlook
The job outlook for social workers is expected to grow faster than most other occupations well into the next decade. The health workforce is growing due to the demands of an aging and growing population which will continue to require sophisticated care. Social workers provide a necessary dimension to this field.

March is designated as National Professional Social Work month to honor social workers and the contributions they make in improving the quality of life for patients and their families.