People who want to work as social workers are usually motivated the desire to help others improve their quality of life. People who seek the assistance of a social worker are usually disadvantaged in some way, but this is not always the case. People may require assistance with a variety of issues, including finding work, achieving mental stability, resolving family conflicts, and many others. There are several different types of social worker careers available to serve this wide range of situations.
One type of social worker is a family social worker. This type will typically focus on children and their care, but will also assist parents and school facilities in resolving issues that arise with families in need of assistance. For example, children may require assistance in finding a home or in dealing with abuse and neglect. To ensure the safety and welfare of minors, these social workers collaborate closely with parents, single parents, and caregivers. Senior citizens with similar issues will be assisted family social workers.
Mental health social workers help people with mental illnesses, especially when there isn’t much else they can do. Mental illnesses can range from schizophrenia to chronic depression, and they can also lead to substance abuse issues. People with debilitating problems are usually referred to these workers. These referrals can be to a variety of programs to assist these individuals in getting back on their feet and living in a part of society where they can find support and camaraderie with others who are dealing with similar issues. This support group is frequently made up of social workers themselves.
A growing number of social worker jobs are in the fields of health and medicine. They are usually assigned to help people with diseases ranging from chronic to terminal, and they assist them acting as a conduit between hospitals and the patients, ensuring that the best possible care is provided. They may also assist patients who have been discharged from the hospital delivering essentials such as food and medicine that would otherwise be unavailable.
These examples only scratch the surface of the wide range of responsibilities that social workers must perform in their various roles. Because of the nature of the job, social workers are frequently called upon to assist people at all hours of the day, in addition to working an office job. These jobs primarily require the jobholder to have a strong sense of compassion as well as the communication skills needed to communicate with people from all walks of life.