Government agencies, hospitals, schools, and private practices are where social workers work.They offer a variety of services, from helping people deal with abuse or overcome substance abuse, to aiding them to obtain housing, medical care, or education.They can improve the social conditions in the community.It isn't an easy job.The most important parts of being a good social worker are making sure you are well-suited to the job and taking proper care.
Step 1: You need to have the personality of a good social worker.
Social work can be very demanding.Despite your best efforts, you are unable to help people in need due to social factors or their own resistance.People who succeed as social workers tend to have the same personality quirks.You have to work through problems at your own pace.If you want your clients to trust you, you need to be there when they need you.The ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects efficiently is important because you will often be dealing with a heavy case load.You will be dealing with topics that are hard to talk about.You need to be able to read between the lines to get at what your clients want to tell you, but are often afraid to say so.Being too emotionally involved can drain you and make you less effective.You have to keep the emotional distance necessary to be effective.Continually overcoming setbacks is the nature of the job.Perseverance is important.Social work isn't always a 9-5 job.The best case workers can help their clients when they need them the most.You will face many heart-rending problems every day, and you will see the worst in humanity.In order to last in the job, you must be resilient.Knowing how to take care of yourself and replenish your batteries is important.
Step 2: You can't help all of your clients.
People go into social work hoping to change the world and improve lives, but things rarely go as smoothly as that.Those who don't want to be there will be mandated to see you.Some clients miss more appointments than they attend.Some clients don't want to change.More of your time will be spent on paperwork than on your clients.Being a social worker means dealing with frustration, pushing disappointment aside, and being able to celebrate small successes.Don't be afraid to tell them about your problems; they have them too.It can help you deal with frustration if you know you are not alone.They could miss meetings.They might not be able to do that.They might lie to you.Blaming them won't help you or them.They are dealing with a lot of problems.Every day, remind yourself of that.The clients are not to blame for the problems.You have total control over some of the problems you face.You have limited control over some things when you do your paperwork or write up your reports.Some will be out of your control.Some will be so confusing you can't even figure out what the problem is.Office politics; managerial incompetence.To focus on the things you can control and not let the rest go is the key.
Step 3: You should get experience in your area as soon as possible.
If you want to see if social work is right for you, you have to do it.If you want to become a social worker, you need an internship or volunteering before you start your education.
Step 4: Get support.
To excel in social work, you will need professional and social support.This support will help you progress in your career.In order to take advantage of conferences, workshops, and mentoring, join professional organizations such as the British Association of Social Workers.Helping with peer groups, spouses, or friends is what you should be doing.Helping social workers deal with their own distress is helped by Interpersonal relationships.
Step 5: Take care of yourself.
Many of your clients' problems will impact you emotionally if you are interested in social work.They can all feel like your own failures.If you want to face your clients' problems again, you need to make time for yourself, reading, laughing, and being with your family.The ability to effectively monitor one's own condition has been cited as the number one trait of effective therapists.Introspection and being attentive to feedback, such as a family member or colleague noting that you look tired or are working longer hours, is what this means.Changing one's environment is a proven way to make one feel better.One can take a number of steps, including getting a comfortable chair, playing calming music, putting plants in your office, and not eating at your desk.Counter conditioning is an activity that replenishes you physically and psychologically and is vital to success as a social worker.Reading or watching TV, working out, hobbies, vacations, meditation, worship, volunteer work, and keeping a diary are some of the typical activities.
Step 6: Seek out therapy of your own.
The psychological perils of social work include compassion fatigue, burnout, and counter transference.Spending time with a therapist has been shown to help mitigate these problems, resulting in an improved personal life and better professional development for social workers.
Step 7: The boundaries should be set.
There is an understandable temptation to pour more and more of your time into helping people who are dealing with huge problems.To avoid burning out and to maintain one's own mental health, a social worker must learn to set boundaries both on the time they devote to each case and the milestones they hope to achieve.Don't try and fix a client's problem overnight.If you create a reasonable care plan with small intermediate goals, you will have a road map to stick to and be less likely to pour time into seeking an immediate solution.If you treat one client differently than another, it's a sign that you're overextending your time and emotional relationship with the client.For communicating with clients, always use your organization's process.Allowing a client to contact you directly leaves you out of control of your work schedule and may lead to a loss of trust.It's a good idea to speak regularly with your supervisor about your workload and particularly difficult cases.It will only set unrealistic expectations for your fellow social workers if you work extra.
Step 8: You can learn from the assessments.
Social workers should have their own work assessed on a regular basis.Use the assessments as a way to improve the services you offer.If your manager doesn't give you a clear indication of how to act on it.Ask him or her to clarify or give a series of clear steps.Managers are more likely to give feedback if you ask for it.Ask a general question, such as "What two things do you think I can do to most improve my work?" or "Can you recommend a strategy for dealing with all this paperwork?"Your manager or colleagues can help you create your plan.
Step 9: Professional activities should be diversified.
Doing the same social work over and over again can be tiring.Diversifying the type of work you do has been shown to improve mental health.Conduct multiple forms of therapy: individual, couples, group, and work with different types of problems. Try teaching, researching, or learning alongside counseling.
Step 10: Continue learning.
Your degree doesn't teach you everything you need to know to become a social worker.Good social workers keep learning as they go, whether that means pursuing another degree, taking courses or attending workshops, or doing research on their own.
Step 11: In order to assess their situation, you need to gather information.
During interviews with the client, there is an ongoing process that takes place.It requires actively listening to your client and being open to verbal and nonverbal information, as well as input from colleagues and other members of the client system.Common areas addressed during assessment include: Maximizing your services, living arrangements, including the safety of the home environment, Vocational history, Cultural values and beliefs, and Barriers to the client's use of community resources.
Step 12: Set goals and priorities.
Work with the client to set achievable goals based on the assessment.An overarching goal for a homeless person might be overcoming substance abuse and getting a job.
Step 13: There is a plan to achieve the client's goals.
Specific objectives and the steps needed to achieve them should be translated into the plan.A schedule to measure progress should be created for the client.Education and coaching in life skills Individual, couples, and group counseling and psychotherapy Mediation and conflict resolution Advocacy on behalf of clients Resource information and referrals
Step 14: You should advocate for your clients.
The job of a social worker is to advocate for his or her clients' access to services, including securing funding, educating the public and lawmakers regarding the need for resources, and addressing service gaps and discrimination that present barriers to clients.
Step 15: Work with other services.
It is necessary to work closely with other organizations to ensure the best outcome for your clients.The services you provide are helpful to your client.
Step 16: You should keep a record of your case activities.
Keeping an up-to-date record of each case is important in allowing you to manage your case load, in ensuring that another social worker will be able to step in if the case gets transferred, and in providing support for your clients.