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Case worker vs school social worker

The differences between case workers and school social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a case worker and a school social worker. Additionally, a school social worker has an average salary of $54,856, which is higher than the $41,459 average annual salary of a case worker.

The top three skills for a case worker include social work, crisis intervention and patients. The most important skills for a school social worker are social work, social emotional, and IEP.

Case worker vs school social worker overview

Case WorkerSchool Social Worker
Yearly salary$41,459$54,856
Hourly rate$19.93$26.37
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs107,329122,376
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Master's Degree, 51%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a case worker do?

Caseworkers are social workers who watch over the welfare of underprivileged individuals and at-risk families by counseling and providing them with assistance. Usually employed under the government or a local non-profit organization, a caseworker must conduct a thorough interview and house visits to determine the needs of the family. They then refer them to any programs or agencies that can give them the specific care and help needed. Furthermore, it is crucial to identify neglect and abuse signs, reporting them to the authorities right away.

What does a school social worker do?

A school social worker specializes in counseling students, families, and faculty members. They are responsible for coordinating with the school to develop programs that prioritize the students' emotional and psychological well-being, respond to any issues and concerns, build rapport to identify their needs, and communicate with support services to provide necessary assistance to any students or families. There are also instances when a school social worker must assist teachers in handling students with behavioral issues, investigating the underlying reasons. Moreover, it is crucial to identify any signs of neglect or abuse, conducting interventive measures right away.

Case worker vs school social worker salary

Case workers and school social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Case WorkerSchool Social Worker
Average salary$41,459$54,856
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $55,000Between $40,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyAppalachian Regional HealthcareBoston Public Schools
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between case worker and school social worker education

There are a few differences between a case worker and a school social worker in terms of educational background:

Case WorkerSchool Social Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Master's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaBoston College

Case worker vs school social worker demographics

Here are the differences between case workers' and school social workers' demographics:

Case WorkerSchool Social Worker
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 26.8% Female, 73.2%Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between case worker and school social worker duties and responsibilities

Case worker example responsibilities.

  • Establish collaborative relationships with patients within a supportive atmosphere to assist in confronting drug relate behavior and achieving sobriety.
  • Review and research leads regarding personal injury cases by obtaining information from the Medicaid recipient's attorney and insurance adjuster
  • File, close and maintain records in either physical case file or on ETO.
  • Train new employees and assign tasks in driving and all responsibilities in DCS documentations.
  • Provide weekly face to face updates to youth and telephonic updates to family members/sponsor with documentation find in ETO.
  • Facilitate DCS court order supervised visitation during the reunification process.
  • Show more

School social worker example responsibilities.

  • Case manage in-district and out-of-district students with emotional disabilities, autism, other health impair and physical disabilities.
  • Provide individual, group and family therapy to patients suffering from substance abuse/dependence.
  • Prepare APS reports as needed and present them to the state.
  • Prepare IEP's, set goals, and objectives consistent with CSE standards.
  • Train college interns, new employees, and volunteers on APS policies and procedures.
  • Design school-wide and individual PBIS programs and incentives; as well as compiled data relate to PBIS.
  • Show more

Case worker vs school social worker skills

Common case worker skills
  • Social Work, 20%
  • Crisis Intervention, 8%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
  • Community Resources, 6%
  • Child Abuse, 5%
Common school social worker skills
  • Social Work, 26%
  • Social Emotional, 6%
  • IEP, 6%
  • Community Resources, 5%
  • Professional Development, 5%
  • Behavioral Issues, 4%

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