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How to Become a Child and Family Social Worker

 |  8 Min Read

The importance of human relationships within the context of clients’ lives is a cross-cutting principle in the field of social work.1 Child and family social workers draw on their understanding of a complex web of relationships (not to mention their knowledge of theories, practice, policy, and research) to assist vulnerable clients in developing healthy interactions within their families and broader social systems.

Helping children and families cope with trauma, loss, mental illness, substance use, and interpersonal or community violence are key components of the helping process. Social workers also help children and families navigate intricate social service systems. Work in this field takes place in a wide range of settings, and the scope of responsibilities can be vast. In this article, you’ll learn what child and family social workers do, the career outlook for this field, the steps for becoming a child social worker, and more.

What Does a Child and Family Social Worker Do?

A career in child and family social work requires a tremendous level of skill, flexibility, and commitment. These careers can span many duties, as child and family social worker job descriptions might include:

  • Working with children living in unhealthy and unsafe situations
  • Visiting a school to help a child with academic or social and emotional challenges
  • Assisting parents interested in adopting children
  • Coordinating among agencies on behalf of a child or family
  • Supervising case managers
  • Helping parents/primary caregivers cope with social, emotional, financial, legal, or other issues

The stress level can be high, but the potential benefits to children, families, and society are far-reaching. Moreover, you might be able to specialize in one of these areas:

Child Social Work

If you aspire to specialize in assisting children, a career as a child welfare social worker is an ideal option. In this role, you will focus on offering “a safe and nurturing environment for children and youth,” according to the National Association of Social Workers.2 That means intervening on behalf of children experiencing trauma and providing the appropriate services and resources for their needs.

Aspects of child welfare social work are affirmed by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA). According to the Psychology School Guide, CAPTA provides mandates for child social workers to “investigate complaints and protect vulnerable children from violence and neglect.”3

Family Social Work

Family social workers strive to “enhance family functioning, strengthen relationships, and create a safe and nurturing environment for individuals of all ages,” according to CareerExplorer.4 Because family social workers focus on the well-being of the entire family, they advocate for adults and children, foster positive relationships between them, and have the expertise to provide connections to services for individuals across generations.

Family and Child Social Worker Career Outlook

The market for well-trained and highly qualified child, family, and school social workers is strong, with projected employment growth of 7 percent from 2023 to 2033.5 If you plan to work in Pennsylvania, you’re likely to find numerous career options — in addition to being home to Widener University, the Keystone State has the fourth largest population of child, family, and school social workers in the United States.6 Here are the top industries for these practitioners, ranked by the total nationwide employment:

  • Individual and family services: 83,2806
  • Local government (excluding schools and hospitals): 69,1706
  • State government (excluding schools and hospitals): 67,7906
  • Elementary and secondary schools: 57,7006
  • Community food and housing, and emergency and other relief services: 10,3006

The median school, family, and child social worker salary was $53,940 per year in May 2023.5 Notably, this is slightly higher than the median mental health, behavioral health, and substance use counselor salary and about 12% higher than the average salary for all occupations.7

Note that earning potential varies by specialty. Here are the average annual salaries for child, family, and school social workers in five settings:

  • Elementary and secondary schools: $70,0706
  • Local government (excluding schools and hospitals): $68,5006
  • State government (excluding schools and hospitals): $57,0806
  • Individual and family services: $50,7806
  • Community food and housing, and emergency and other relief services: $47,8206

This field offers tremendous stability, as the unemployment rate for child and family social workers is only 1.1%, according to U.S. News & World Report. Dependable employment could explain why the publication ranked this role among the best social service jobs in 2024.8

Child and Family Social Worker Education Requirements

For many people, attaining a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is the first step to becoming a child social worker. However, you’ll have a greater likelihood of obtaining more specialized and leadership positions with a Master of Social Work — and the curriculum in Widener’s online MSW program provides the necessary depth and breadth for succeeding in this field. The course requirements include social work practice and theories of human behavior, policy, and research. You can also choose from an array of electives to prepare to work with children, adolescents, couples, families, and groups.

Widener infuses trauma-informed approaches to social work across the online MSW program. This is important because increased knowledge of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)9 and neurobiology’s role in childhood development have led to an emphasis on the impact of trauma in family and child social work.

Note that a BSW is not always required if you’re interested in earning an MSW. Widener offers a Regular Standing track to students who completed their undergraduate education in other fields. However, there are advantages for students who earned a BSW with accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in the last six years, as Widener’s Advanced Standing track allows these students to waive seven courses and complete the program in less time.

Attaining Your Social Work License

Becoming a licensed social worker is not always required for child and family social work careers. However, it can open doors to increased responsibilities, job opportunities, and higher salaries. If you’re interested in acquiring your social work license in Pennsylvania, there are three levels to consider:

  • Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW): You must earn a BSW and meet other requirements to acquire your LBSW10
  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW): You will need to earn an MSW to earn this credential10
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): In addition to an MSW, this credential requires at least two years of supervised experience10

As you search for an MSW program, be sure to verify that the school is accredited by CSWE. This accreditation signifies that the school adequately prepares students to be effective practitioners by meeting certain core competencies in social work education. While the licensure process varies by state, Widener’s CSWE-accredited MSW provides a foundation for sitting for the LSW exam and, after meeting the requirements for supervised practice, becoming an LCSW in most states.

Alternative Credentials for Child and Family Social Work Careers

Attaining a social work license isn’t the only path to child and family social work careers, as certifications are available for practitioners seeking increased specialization. For instance, the National Association of Social Work provides a program for becoming a Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker ready to assist children and members of their households.11

Another certification for social workers with a CSWE-accredited bachelor’s degree is Widener’s Graduate Certificate in Practices in Trauma Recovery. Offered fully online, this certificate prepares you to support populations impacted by trauma, including children and families.

Social workers in Pennsylvania can also earn the School Social Worker, Educational Specialist Certificate (PK-12) to provide services in school settings. This certificate affirms that practitioners can oversee assessments of students, develop plans for aiding student learning, and perform other social work duties in public schools. Before seeking this credential, you’ll need at least an LSW credential and a Master of Social Work degree.12

Earn Your MSW to Create Meaningful Change for Children and Families

If you would like to prepare for social work licensure and a future career in child and family social work, Widener’s online Master of Social Work program can provide the knowledge and skills needed to achieve your career goals. Through this program, you’ll prepare to expand your client base and advance your career as a practitioner capable of supporting children, adults, and families in your community. Additionally, our Advanced Standing track gives eligible students a convenient way to earn their MSW online within two years.

To learn more about Widener’s online MSW program, contact a program manager at 844-386-7321 or request information.

Sources

  1. National Association of Social Workers, “Social Work Code of Ethics.” Accessed January 10, 2017, https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics.
  2. National Association of Social Workers. “Types of Social Work.” Accessed September 3, 2024, https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Facts/Types-of-Social-Work.
  3. Psychology School Guide. “What is Child Social Work?” Accessed September 3, 2024, https://www.psychologyschoolguide.net/social-work-careers/how-to-become-a-child-social-work/.
  4. CareerExplorer. “What Does a Family Social Worker Do?” Accessed September 3, 2024, https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/family-social-worker/.
  5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Social Workers.” Accessed September 3, 2024, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
  6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, “21-1021: Child, Family, and School Social Workers.” Accessed September 3, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211021.htm.
  7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” Accessed September 3, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm.
  8. U.S. News & World Report. “Child and Family Social Worker.” Accessed September 3, 2024, https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/child-and-family-social-worker.
  9. Centers for Disease Control, “About Adverse Childhood Experiences.” Accessed August 26, 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html.
  10. SocialWorkLicensure.org. “Pennsylvania Social Work License Requirements and Schools: Learn How to Become a Social Worker in PA.” Accessed September 4, 2024, https://www.socialworklicensure.org/state/social-work-licensure-pennsylvania/.
  11. National Association of Social Workers, “Certified Children, Youth & Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW).” Accessed on August 26, 2024, https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/Credentials-Certifications/Apply-for-NASW-Social-Work-Credentials/Certified-Children-Youth-Family-Social-Worker.
  12. Pennsylvania Department of Education. “CSPG 87 – School Social Worker, Educational Specialist Certificate PK-12.” Accessed September 4, 2024, https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/certification/certification-staffing/staffing-guidelines/cspg-87-school-social-worker-educational-specialist-certificate-pk-12.html.

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