Social Worker
What the work is
Assesses the biopsychosocial needs of individuals, families and groups, assists and empowers people to develop and use skills and resources needed to resolve social and other problems, and furthers human wellbeing and human rights, social justice and social development.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Conducts biopsychosocial and risk assessments to assist individuals and families to resolve their presented problems
- Provides case management services, and negotiates and mediates strategies related to clients' needs
- Works with clients to develop and deliver individualised casework practice, group counselling and support plans
- Promotes clients' agency and rights to access resources and community services
- Supports clients in legal and administrative proceedings, including assessment reports and providing information or evidence in court
- Provides supervision and peer support to other Social Workers to address ethical dilemmas, gaps in practice and areas of avoidance
- Analyses, develops, promotes and implements social policies to respond to social needs
- Collaborates with government, community organisations, social agencies, volunteer groups and other stakeholders to improve and develop services, and address structural inequalities
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a family support service in an outer suburban community centre. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A family you worked with moves into a home they can afford and stay in
- A client says you were the first person who listened to the whole story
- A case conference where every service agrees on one clear plan
Hard days
- A client you have worked with for months misses an appointment and does not answer
- Systems that move slowly while a family's situation changes fast
- Writing case notes late in the day when you are tired and thinking about someone's situation
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 261331, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.