More than 120,000 children in the United States were waiting to be adopted through the foster care system in 2019, according to the United States Children’s Bureau (USCB). Nearly 60% of those children were 6 to 17 years old. But children in this age range accounted for only 44% of adoptions through child welfare agencies. This imbalance […]
The personal nature of social work makes it quite rewarding. Practitioners meet clients at their point of need and offer direct support for their well-being. It’s common for bonds to form as social workers help clients empower themselves. However, they must take care to avoid pursuing dual relationships in social work that may pose risks […]
Many people answer the call to social work because they want to make a difference. And once they begin providing support to clients, they get many opportunities to do so. Of course, many clients are highly vulnerable; to earn their trust, practitioners must exhibit integrity in social work practice. Practicing integrity in social work may […]
Supporting diverse populations adds to the enrichment of a social work career. That said, empowering clients across communities requires more than knowledge of social work theory. Social workers must also develop cultural competence in social work practice. What is cultural competence in social work? The New Social Worker framed it as a commitment to building […]
Social workers help struggling individuals receive the care and resources they need to live healthy, comfortable lives. Through aiding vulnerable children at schools, assisting terminal patients with changes to their daily routines and counseling struggling families, social workers serve society in many ways. While unique tactics are required to help people with diverse medical and […]
In the United States, a significant number of people are considered homeless. In January 2015, more than half a million people slept outside, in an emergency shelter, or in transitional housing during a single night. In 2014, 7 million people resided in homes with other families, a plight that often precedes homelessness. A variety of […]
Because direct, physical violence is easy to see and recognize, it gets significant attention from both law enforcement and the news media. A violent crime, such as an assault or murder, is a discrete event that can be handled in a number of ways. Structural violence, on the other hand, is often invisible and challenging […]
To best assist clients as they work to overcome whatever challenges they are facing, a social worker must employ proven techniques. Different clients have different needs, and each of the following techniques approaches social work from a slightly different perspective. Social workers can choose the technique that best resonates with them, and their clients, to […]
Learning the theories behind psychological practices can be a valuable tool for any social worker. Understanding why people act the way they do can be a step toward helping them break bad habits and exhibit behavior that helps them succeed in life. Popular Social Work Theories Social workers should familiarize themselves with five different psychological […]
More so than many other professions, social work thrives on community connections and continuing education. Social workers are advocates for their clients, and to be successful, it’s essential to stay informed about current issues in social work and to participate in community discussions. Social work blogs can be an excellent source of current information, best […]