Our Foster Care Social Worker job description includes the responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.
About the Foster Care Social Worker role
Foster care social workers help children and families in foster care by providing support, guidance, and resources to ensure the safety, well-being, and positive development of children. They work with biological families, foster families, and other professionals to achieve successful outcomes for children.
Role Purpose
The primary purpose of a foster care social worker is to provide a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for children in foster care, as well as to help families and children transition back into their communities. Foster care social workers are responsible for assessing the needs of children in foster care, developing plans for placement and reunification, providing counseling and support to children and their families, advocating for the best interests of the child, and helping to coordinate community resources and services. Foster care social workers also provide guidance to foster parents on how to best care for their foster children, as well as helping to ensure that foster families have the necessary resources and support needed to provide a safe, healthy and loving environment for the children in their care.
Foster Care Social Worker Summary
A Foster Care Social Worker is responsible for providing social services to children placed in foster care, as well as to their biological and foster families. This includes providing counseling services, assessing the needs of the family, offering referrals to community resources, advocating for the child's well-being, and providing support to the foster family. The Foster Care Social Worker must be knowledgeable about the child welfare system, child development, and the range of services available to foster families. They must also possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Foster Care Social Worker Duties
- Conduct assessments of families in need of foster care
- Work with foster families to ensure child safety and well-being
- Maintain records and reports of all activities related to foster care
- Provide advice and support to foster families
- Arrange for medical treatment and other services for foster children
- Attend court hearings related to foster care
- Develop and review case plans for foster children
Foster Care Social Worker Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of state and federal regulations related to foster care
- Ability to assess a family’s needs and provide supportive services
- Ability to develop and maintain partnerships with other agencies
- Ability to conduct investigations and write reports
Foster Care Social Worker Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field
- Knowledge of state and federal foster care regulations
- Experience working with foster care families
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
Personal Traits
- Patience
- Compassion
- Integrity
- Organizational Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Active Listening
- Communication Skills
- Problem-Solving Skills