Child, Family, and School Social Workers (21-1021.

00), page 1 of 4

Child, Family, and School Social

Workers
This occupation is a member of the Education, Child Development, and
Family Services cluster

About the Job

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children
and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May
assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools,
they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

It is also Called
Youth Services Specialist, Youth Advocate, Social Worker, School Social Worker, Public Housing
Community Relations and Services Advisor, Protective Services Social Worker, Program Support
Specialist, Post Adoption Coordinator, Medical Social Worker, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical
Social Worker (LCSW), Juvenile Officer, Juvenile Counselor, Human Service Specialist, Group Worker,
Foster Care Worker, Foster Care Social Worker, Field Service Representative, Field Representative,
Family Support Worker, Family Support Specialist, Family Service Worker, Family Service Caseworker,
Family Protection Specialist, Family Preservation Worker, Family Preservation Caseworker, Family
Manager, Family Intervention Specialist, Family Caseworker, Family Advocate, Elementary School
Social Worker, Early Interventionist, Early Intervention Specialist, Delinquency Prevention Social Worker,
Community Worker, Community Organization Worker, Children's Service Worker, Children's Counselor,
Child Welfare Worker, Child Welfare Specialist, Child Welfare Social Worker, Child Welfare Counselor,
Child Welfare Consultant, Child Welfare Caseworker, Child Protective Services Specialist, Child
Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker), Child Protection Specialist, Child Development
Consultant, Child Care Counselor, Child and Family Services Worker, Child Advocate, Child Abuse
Worker, Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker, Caseworker, Casework Supervisor, Case
Worker, Case Planner, Case Manager, At-Risk Specialist, Adult Protective Caseworker, Adoption
Worker, Adoption Specialist, Adoption Social Worker, Adoption Counselor, Adoption Coordinator,
Adoption Agent, Adolescent Counselor

Preparation Required
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Wages
In 2016, the average annual wage in California was $54,290 with most people making between $30,220
and $91,150

Outlook
During 2014, this occupation employed approximately 31,100 people in California. It is projected that
there will be 35,600 employed in 2024.

This occupation will have about 450 openings due to growth and about 750 replacement openings for
approximately 1,200 total annual openings.
 Child, Family, and School Social Workers (21-1021.00), page 2 of 4

Industries that Employ this Occupation

Individual and Family Services, Other Residential Care Facilities, Child Day Care Services, Community
Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services, Outpatient Care Centers, Social Advocacy
Organizations, Residential Mental Retardation, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities, Vocational
Rehabilitation Services, Civic and Social Organizations

Similar Occupations
Training and Development Specialists Design and conduct training and development programs to
improve individual and organizational performance. May analyze training needs.

Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Counsel individuals and provide group
educational and vocational guidance services.

Rehabilitation Counselors Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of

persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness,
disease, accidents, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment
facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include
personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.

Healthcare Social Workers Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support
needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family care givers,
providing patient education and counseling, and making referrals for other services. May also provide
care and case management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address
barriers to access to healthcare.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education Teach elemental natural and social science,
personal hygiene, music, art, and literature to kindergarten students. Promote physical, mental, and
social development. May be required to hold State certification.

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Teach students basic academic, social, and
other formative skills in public or private schools at the elementary level.

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach students in
one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies at the secondary level in public or
private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.

Special Education Teachers, Middle School Teach middle school subjects to educationally and
physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually
handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally
impaired.

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Teach secondary school subjects to educationally
and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and
visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the
mentally impaired.

Patient Representatives Assist patients in obtaining services, understanding policies and making health
care decisions.

Interests
Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people.
These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
 Child, Family, and School Social Workers (21-1021.00), page 3 of 4

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These
occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking
and often deal with business.

Work Values
Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others
and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-
workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to
use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability
Utilization and Achievement.

Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and
make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

What They Do
Conduct social research.

Work in child and adolescent residential institutions.

Serve on policy-making committees, assist in community development, and assist client groups by
lobbying for solutions to problems.

Determine clients' eligibility for financial assistance.

Evaluate personal characteristics and home conditions of foster home or adoption applicants.

Place children in foster or adoptive homes, institutions, or medical treatment centers.

Lead group counseling sessions that provide support in such areas as grief, stress, or chemical
dependency.

Supervise other social workers.

Recommend temporary foster care and advise foster or adoptive parents.

Administer welfare programs.

Companies Employing this Occupation

Things They Need to Know

Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment,
and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability,

personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment
and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the
meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Child, Family, and School Social Workers (21-1021.00), page 4 of 4

Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and
influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and
personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services,
and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the
points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related

documents.

Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative
solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make

improvements or take corrective action.

Education & Training

Social Work, Other

Juvenile Corrections

Social Work

Youth Services/Administration

Additional Resources

California Occupational Guide ( http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/occguides/Detail.aspx?

Soccode=211021&Geography=0601000000 ) - A detailed guide to this occupation provided by the
California Employment Development Department (EDD)

This document was generated at California CareerZone. For resources and information to help you make
informed decisions about occupations, colleges, and more, please visit: https://www.cacareerzone.org/