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 single 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 on how to deal with problem children.

Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs. Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, child care, and/or medical care. Maintain case history records and prepare reports. Counsel students whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical impairment indicate a need for assistance, diagnosing students' problems and arranging for needed services. Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions. Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required. Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided. Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports. Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements. Provide, find, or arrange for support services, such as child care, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes, to prevent more serious problems from developing. Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment , or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply. Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures. Work in child and adolescent residential institutions. Administer welfare programs. Evaluate personal characteristics and home conditions of foster home or adoption applicants. Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors , and other contacts, to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty. Place children in foster or adoptive homes, institutions, or medical treatment centers. Supervise other social workers. Recommend temporary foster care and advise foster or adoptive parents. Determine clients' eligibility for financial assistance. Conduct social research. Lead group counseling sessions that provide support in such areas as grief, stress, or chemical dependency. Serve on policymaking committees, assist in community development, and assist client groups by lobbying for solutions to problems.

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. 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. 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. Sociology and Anthropology -- Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins. English Language -- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Law and Government -- Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. Computers and Electronics -- Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. Education and Training -- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. Clerical -- Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Speaking -- Talking to others to convey information effectively. 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. Monitoring -- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Social Perceptiveness -- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Service Orientation -- Actively looking for ways to help people. Reading Comprehension -- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Active Learning -- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Writing -- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Critical Thinking -- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Judgment and Decision Making -- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

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. Monitoring -- Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Social Perceptiveness -- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Service Orientation -- Actively looking for ways to help people. Reading Comprehension -- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Active Learning -- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. Writing -- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Critical Thinking -- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. Judgment and Decision Making -- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Ability Requirements for: "Child, Family, and School Social Workers" Oral Comprehension -- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Oral Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Problem Sensitivity -- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Speech Clarity -- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Speech Recognition -- The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. Inductive Reasoning -- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). Written Expression -- The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. Near Vision -- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Written Comprehension -- The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. Deductive Reasoning -- The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. Making Decisions and Solving Problems -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. Getting Information -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Communicating with Persons Outside Organization -- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships -- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards -- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work -- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. Assisting and Caring for Others -- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. Documenting/Recording Information -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others -- Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.