What does a family service caseworker do?
A family service caseworker is in charge of assisting disadvantaged families and individuals, referring them to special support programs as needed. Their responsibilities revolve around identifying client needs, conducting assessments and interviews, coordinating with institutions such as schools and hospitals, devising strategies to meet client needs, and monitoring their progress, performing interventions when necessary. Furthermore, a family service caseworker must be alert for any signs of neglect or abuse. Should there be any, it is essential to report to the authorities right away.
Family service caseworker responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real family service caseworker resumes:
- Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
- Collect client data and determine eligibility for medicaid, daycare, food assistance and emergency services programs.
- Complete documentation for clients to obtain Medicaid waivers.
- Provide information and support to transitioning foster youth during assessment, case planning or other permanency and transition-relate activities.
- Provide interventions for at-risk children with emotional disabilities, including sexual/physical abuse, delay development, autism, and social impairment.
Family service caseworker skills and personality traits
We calculated that 33% of Family Service Caseworkers are proficient in Social Work, Direct Services, and Family Services. They’re also known for soft skills such as Emotional skills, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Family Service Caseworkers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Social Work, 33%
Practice non-judgmental cultural competent social work with families and individuals.
- Direct Services, 8%
Provided and coordinated direct services to individuals and families as assigned.
- Family Services, 7%
Served as an agency liaison between families and community organizations in coordinating and providing needed family services.
- DHS, 7%
Managed all facets of the caseloads in the local office in the division of Community Operations of DHS.
- Mental Health, 6%
Assisted foster families in locating/implementing appropriate educational/medical/mental health services.
- Community Resources, 5%
Cultivate professional relationships with various human service organizations, serving as a liaison between clients and service provider/community resources.
"social work," "direct services," and "family services" are among the most common skills that family service caseworkers use at work. You can find even more family service caseworker responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. Many family service caseworker duties rely on communication skills. "clients talk to social workers about challenges in their lives," so a family service caseworker will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways family service caseworker responsibilities rely on communication skills: "maintain open lines of communication between families, child protective services, and court officials. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of family service caseworkers is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday family service caseworker duties, as "social workers must be able to work with different groups of people." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "focus on repairing relationships, interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, and problem solving. "
Organizational skills. For certain family service caseworker responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "organizational skills." The day-to-day duties of a family service caseworker rely on this skill, as "social workers must help and manage multiple clients, often assisting with their paperwork or documenting their treatment." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what family service caseworkers do: "applied organizational leadership goals to develop outreach strategy communicated organizational focus at community events to inform families about home visiting services. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a family service caseworker to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what family service caseworkers relies on this skill, since "social workers must analyze their clients’ complex situations and develop practical solutions." How this skill relates to family service caseworker duties can be seen in an example from a family service caseworker resume snippet: "received extensive training in case management, domestic violence, and conflict resolution. "
Compassion. Lastly, "compassion" is an important element of what a family service caseworker does. Family service caseworker responsibilities require this skill because "social workers often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations." This resume example highlights how family service caseworker duties rely on this skill: "serve as empathetic and compassionate family service counselor to families seeking immediate interment and / or dis-interment services for the deceased. "
The three companies that hire the most family service caseworkers are:
- The Center for Youth and Family Solutions6 family service caseworkers jobs
- International Rescue Committee3 family service caseworkers jobs
- Save the Children US3 family service caseworkers jobs
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Compare different family service caseworkers
Family service caseworker vs. Counselor
Often, counselors are known to be the go-to person in times we are in need of emotional and psychological support. They help people to manage and overcome the issues which affect their mental health and well-being. Counselors face different kind of situations which may involve trauma, addiction, disabilities, abuse, suicide, anger management, career, and even personal relationships. They provide care, counseling, rehabilitation, and support services. Every counseling requires collaborative effort both from the counselor and client to become effective.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a family service caseworker are more likely to require skills like "direct services," "family services," "dhs," and "mental health." On the other hand, a job as a counselor requires skills like "patients," "cpr," "family therapy," and "mental health issues." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Counselors earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $37,750. On the other hand, family service caseworkers are paid more in the government industry with an average salary of $52,993.On average, counselors reach similar levels of education than family service caseworkers. Counselors are 1.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Family service caseworker vs. Substance abuse counselor
Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real family service caseworker resumes. While family service caseworker responsibilities can utilize skills like "direct services," "family services," "dhs," and "mental health," substance abuse counselors use skills like "patients," "substance abuse treatment," "intake assessments," and "rehabilitation."
Substance abuse counselors earn a lower average salary than family service caseworkers. But substance abuse counselors earn the highest pay in the non profits industry, with an average salary of $41,273. Additionally, family service caseworkers earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $52,993 annually.substance abuse counselors earn higher levels of education than family service caseworkers in general. They're 8.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for family service caseworkers in the next 3-5 years?
Virginia Schwindt
MSW Field Director/Associate Professor, Union University
Family service caseworker vs. Case planner
Case planners are social workers who provide assistance to children and their families to improve their social and psychological functioning as well as maximize the well-being of families. These planners are required to design service plans that address the safety, behavioral, education, and permanency needs of families and adolescents. They must identify potential child abuse and report any suspected abuses to the appropriate authorities. Case planners must also facilitate counseling to domestic violence victims and assist families in obtaining protection orders from victim service nonprofit organizations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a family service caseworker is likely to be skilled in "direct services," "family services," "dhs," and "public assistance programs," while a typical case planner is skilled in "nyc," "nys," "child abuse," and "address safety."
Case planners earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $42,477. Comparatively, family service caseworkers have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $52,993.When it comes to education, case planners tend to earn higher degree levels compared to family service caseworkers. In fact, they're 8.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Family service caseworker vs. Behavioral health specialist
Typically working for clinics and learning institutions, a behavioral health specialist is in charge of counseling and treating patients with behavioral issues. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial assessment through interview and observation, maintaining records and data, developing treatment plans, and referring patients to other support services when necessary. Moreover, a behavioral health specialist must communicate with the patient's families or guardians, discuss conditions, and provide advice on taking care of them. Aside from treating patients, it is also essential to continuously monitor their behavior while building positive relationships with them.
Types of family service caseworker
Updated January 8, 2025
