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Social Work

Truth?

Kindness is

the language

which the

deaf can hear and

the blind can see
Mark Twain

Subject Guide

Profile Photo
E.F. Moore
Contact:
Reference Department
336 285 4184

Nature of the Job

Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. 

Welcome

This guide provides selected resources to aid your search for information on the different aspects of Social Work. It is not comprehensive. Use the tabs above to navigate through the guide.  If you need additional help or have a question, please contact me using the information to the right.

 

Finding Library-owned resources for your title/subject is the first priority.  The Library's print and electronic reference book collection are searchable using the library catalog.  To search other library collections for print or electronic resources we don't own, use Worldcat.  Books not owned by A&T can be borrowed from other libraries via Interlibrary Loan.   

Significant Points

  • Social workers are employed in a variety of settings, including mental health clinics, schools, child welfare and human service agencies, hospitals, settlement houses, community development corporations, and private practices. They generally work full time and may need to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
  • Although most social workers need a bachelor’s degree in social work, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and 2 years of post-master’s experience in a supervised clinical setting. Clinical social workers must also be licensed in the state in which they practice.
  • Employment of social workers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will be driven by increased demand for healthcare and social services, but will vary by specialty.Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition

PRACTICE METHODS

The following are examples of practice methods commonly used by social workers. It is not presented as an exhaustive list or exclusive list that only social workers can practice.

Case management

Psychosocial therapy

Community resource coordination

Child protection assessments

Psychotherapy

Developmental social welfare

Client-centred therapy

Social casework

Grassroots mobilization/locality development

Clinical social work

Social group work

Program evaluation

Crisis management

Client advocacy

Neighbourhood and community organizing

Discharge planning

Network facilitation

Political and social action

Family and marital therapy

Network skills training

Social planning

Family mediation

Structural social work

Social policy analysis and development

Group therapy

Class action social work

Structural change