A social work assistant performs a variety of tasks throughout the day, but they are first and foremost the certified social worker’s right hand, assisting them in any way that is required. They work with a variety of groups and individuals of all ages, including bereaved families, handicapped people, seniors, and even children. The assistant can be assigned a variety of tasks, which will differ from one area to the next, but there are some basic job description requirements that must be met. The assistant’s responsibilities include informing clients of available resources, contacting clients to schedule meetings and interviews, and following up in the client’s home after services have been provided.
One of the main responsibilities of a social work assistant is to inform clients about the various resources available to them. Because each region has its own set of options, the assistant must be familiar with all of the resources available in their area, as well as any resources nearby. For example, if a family moves into the district but is unemployed and homeless, the assistant must know where to refer them for assistance. They must not only provide them with all of the options available to them, but also advise them on the best course of action for them to take in order to become more stable and financially secure.
Another important task that the social work assistant performs is contacting current clients in the system to schedule interviews and meetings with certified social workers and various groups that can assist them. Interviews and meetings allow the social worker to identify a need and match it to the resources available to them. Even those who aren’t new to the system are expected to keep in touch with the workers and attend regular meetings. The assistant ensures that everything is in order and that the appointments coincide with the clients’ and social workers’ schedules, as well as any local help groups that are willing to assist.
The final major aspect of the social work assistant’s job responsibilities is to follow up with clients who have received or are awaiting assistance. This requires them to travel to various locations and examine the clients’ problems firsthand, as well as assess how much the assistance provided has improved their current circumstances. For example, if an elderly couple approached them for assistance in cleaning their house, which they are unable to do, the assistant would be required to assess the situation at the home, contact the needed help groups, and then re-evaluate the home after the group had visited. This allows the assistant to document how well the system worked for the specific client, allowing them to keep receiving funding from the various sources that support social workers and their assistants.