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Who is a Social Worker?
The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others - Gordon B. Hinckley
Social workers support the underprivileged communities, addressing both fundamental and complex issues. They interact with diverse groups, particularly emphasising the disadvantaged, oppressed, and poor, aiming to improve general well-being. In a career as a social worker, individuals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work contribute to societal welfare.
Social workers in India don’t just work for the rights of the people but also aim at making the world a better place to live by making the people aware of environmental change and other such problems. Students can study B.A. Social Work, Master of Social Work to opt for social work in India.
Quick Facts for Social Worker
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A career as a social worker offers opportunities regardless of gender, free from bias. It welcomes anyone motivated to contribute to societal welfare. This inclusive profession allows individuals to make a meaningful impact on diverse communities, emphasising equality and social betterment.
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Any special needs
No
A career as a social worker may suit candidates with several kinds of special needs. The social worker's job demands agility, patience, and good stamina to help people and provide them with essential facilities that he or she can not afford.
Table of Contents for Social Worker
What is the role of Social Worker?
Individuals who opt for a career as a social worker work with various groups of people to ensure their help in the best possible way. Social workers in India work with old as well as newly born infants. Social worker jobs include serving everyone without differentiating their race, caste, or culture.
Social workers identify communities and individuals in need, developing strategies and solutions to support underprivileged groups.
Social workers assist, helping clients in adjusting to life changes and offering support in coping with challenges like illness or unemployment.
They research social issues, advocating for community resources like food stamps and healthcare to enhance client well-being.
Social workers interfere in cases of child abuse and mental health emergencies, providing necessary support for victims or patients to recover.
Social workers ensure clients' situations improve, conducting follow-ups to verify adequate support and independence.
Types of a Social Worker
Social workers encompass various types, each specialising in distinct areas of social care. Types include clinical social workers who offer healing services, school social workers helping students, medical social workers in healthcare, and child welfare social workers supporting families. The diversity of social work ensures comprehensive assistance across different sectors.
Child and Family Social Worker: A Child and family social worker works for social causes related to children and needy families. He or she works to assist needy families with housing or other services. He or she intervenes when young children are forced to work or in case of child labour.
School Social Worker: A School social worker works with teachers, parents, and school administrators to ensure improvement in students. He or she makes strategies and designs programmes to improve the learning abilities of students and increase their interest in studies.
Healthcare Social Worker: A Healthcare social worker plays a crucial role in supporting individuals coping with illnesses. They facilitate necessary lifestyle and healthcare adjustments, providing assistance from hospitalisation to recovery at home. These professionals also help doctors understand the emotional and mental impact of diseases or therapies on patients.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker: A Mental health and substance abuse social worker helps patients affected by mental health such as anxiety, or depression disorders. He or she also helps patients with addiction. Individuals in the social worker career path provide information and services on call.
What is the workplace/work environment of Social Worker like?
A social worker works with various groups of people and communities. A social worker has to be organised and possess strong interpersonal skills. A social worker advocates for the patients and provides resources to help the patients in learning or function as normal individuals. A professional social worker either possesses a bachelor’s degree in social work or a master’s degree in social work.
Does Social Worker require travelling?
Likely
In a social worker job, how much you travel depends on the place you work. In a career as a social worker, individuals may be required to visit community homes or other places where needy and underprivileged groups of society stay.
Time Pressure
Likely
In a career as a social worker, the employees are required to work under a lot of time pressure. Their job is filled with a variety of work. Social workers in India are required to work under adverse conditions. Social work is considered one of the hardest and most selfless jobs. It requires patience and dedication to go through an arduous working environment and odd hours.
How to become a Social Worker?
Steps to become a Social Worker
This section of the article explores how to become a Social Worker in India, shedding light on the educational path and qualifications required. From the essential degrees in social work to the passion for community service, discover the key steps to embark on a fulfilling journey as a social worker in the Indian context.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Social Worker?
There are several social work jobs in India that require a specific inbuilt set of skills. We have provided below the major skills for a social worker career. Here, we have discussed how to become a social worker.
Communication Skills: Individuals who opt for a career as social workers require warm communication with their clients so they can open up about the challenges of their lives and seek help by expressing what they need without hesitating.
Emotional Stability: In a career as a social worker, individuals often work with those people who are going through an emotional breakdown or having some personal issues causing an increase in stress levels and emotional anxieties. Developing an emotional relationship with clients is necessary to further help them and guide them.
Interpersonal Skills: He or she requires strong interpersonal skills to communicate with them and develop strong and healthy relationships.
Organisational Skills: Social workers in India have to be organized as they have to work with multiple clients and do paperwork that involves documentation of their treatment or what kind of help is provided to them.
Problem-Solving Ability: Social workers are required to come up with effective solutions to the problems of their clients and relieve them.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Social Worker?
We have provided below certification courses that aspiring individuals may opt to find and acquire numerous opportunities for careers in social care. These certifications help in upgrading skills and knowledge.
Internship Availability
Internships are essential for learning and developing skills required in the industry. Glassdoor, Indeed, Internshala, and Letsintern, are popular recruiting websites. Entry-level social work jobs to assist the social worker. He or she attends the treatment team meeting with clients and obtains information. He or she assists in completing forms and other paperwork.
What is the job outlook for Social Worker?
Social work, once seen as helping others, is now a sought-after profession in India. Opportunities abound globally, especially with NGOs like MAD, Nanhi Kali and Smile Foundation supporting the underprivileged. Social workers partner with NGOs, government, and private sectors, contributing to healthcare, education, and diverse roles in administration and management. The field is growing rapidly.
Frequently Asked Questions for Social Worker
Que. What is the average salary of a social worker in India?
Ans.The average salary of a social worker in India is Rs. two lakhs to Rs. three lakh per annum.
Que. What is the average fee for a master’s in social work?
Ans.The average fee for a master’s in social work ranges from Rs.10 thousand to Rs.60 thousand per annum.
Que. Is UNICEF an NGO?
Ans.No, UNICEF is a part of the United Nations. UNICEF is known as the United Nations Children’s Fund. It is an international organisation. UNICEF is not an NGO but it is an NPO. NGO is a Non-Government Organization whereas NPO is a Non-Profit Organisation.
Que. Is the licence required to work as a professional social worker?
Ans.Yes, a licence is required to work as a professional social worker. The candidates are required to complete a bachelor of social work to apply for a licence. For an advanced licence, a master's of social work is required. To obtain a licence, candidates are required to qualify for the Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) exam.
Que. What are the top institutes to pursue education to become a social worker?
Ans.Here are some of the top institutes Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, Christ University, Bangalore, Integral University, Lucknow and Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.
Que. What does it take to be a social worker?
Ans.To become a social worker, one needs a strong commitment to social justice, empathy, and excellent communication skills to advocate for and support individuals and communities facing challenges.
Que. What degree is best for a social worker?
Ans.A bachelor's or master's degree in social work is ideal for aspiring social workers, providing comprehensive knowledge and practical skills to address diverse social issues effectively.
Que. What qualifications do you need to be a social?
Ans.In India, aspiring social workers typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, sociology, or a related field, along with a passion for community service and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Que. What are the 7 roles of a social worker?
Ans.The seven key roles of a social worker include advocate, counselor, mediator, educator, researcher, facilitator, and community organizer, encompassing a broad range of responsibilities to enhance the well-being of individuals and communities.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
In the United Nations, over 60 per cent of mental health services are provided by mental health social workers.
Fact 2
There is an expected increase of 11 per cent in the jobs of social workers by the year 2028 in the United States, according to the bureau of labor statistics.
Fact 3
Jane Addams was the first social worker to receive the Nobel Peace Award in the year 1931.
Fact 4
Gopal Krishna Gokhale was the first Indian to develop a society for organized social work.
Fact 5
The professional social work began in India with the establishment of Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work in 1936.
