Have you got what it takes to be a social worker working with children and families?

Social work is all about people. It's that simple and that complicated. It's an intensely challenging job, but immensely rewarding. Everyday is different, calling for a wide range of skills. You'll need to be good listener, have masses of patience and possess great observational and investigatory skills. In this section you can find out more about what the job involves and hear from social workers working in different areas, to give you an idea of the variety of roles that might interest you.

What does a social worker with children and families do?

Quite simply, social workers change lives and the future. Social workers working in children and families services form relationships with children and families who are facing challenges. By supporting them and working with them, the social worker finds and develops long lasting solutions. 

If you become a social worker, you’ll act as an adviser, an advocate, a counsellor and sometimes just a listener. You’ll have to know how the law works and be fully up to speed with the social welfare system. Not only will you work with families and children but also with their friends, together with other professionals like teachers, doctors, nurses, police and lawyers. Sometimes you’ll act on behalf of these other professionals but sometimes you’ll challenge their decisions to make sure the very best options are available to help the children and families.