Family support worker vs foster care worker

The differences between family support workers and foster care 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 family support worker and a foster care worker. Additionally, a foster care worker has an average salary of $46,037, which is higher than the $38,207 average annual salary of a family support worker.

The top three skills for a family support worker include social work, foster care and family support. The most important skills for a foster care worker are foster care, social work, and child abuse.

Family support worker vs foster care worker overview

	Family Support Worker	Foster Care Worker
Yearly salary	$38,207	$46,037
Hourly rate	$18.37	$22.13
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	159,875	151,625
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

What does a family support worker do?

A family service worker is a social service agent who assesses the needs of family and promotes wellbeing, social justice, and human rights through governmental and social service agencies. Family service workers offer services that can include counseling and mediation to families that will help them navigate the protocols of the social system. They act as liaisons between families facing problems and different government organizations. Family service workers also ensure that families in need are getting the benefits they are entitled to, as well as help them access various community resources.

What does a foster care worker do?

A Foster Care Worker helps improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families as well as increases the family's well-being and the academic functioning of children. They counsel families about issues regarding their child's care and develop healthy living situations.

Family support worker vs foster care worker salary

Family support workers and foster care workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Family Support Worker	Foster Care Worker
Average salary	$38,207	$46,037
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $54,000	Between $32,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	St. Elizabeth's Health Center	Riverview Health
Best paying industry	Government	Construction

Differences between family support worker and foster care worker education

There are a few differences between a family support worker and a foster care worker in terms of educational background:

	Family Support Worker	Foster Care Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Psychology	Social Work
Most common college	Hunter College of the City University of New York	Boston University

Family support worker vs foster care worker demographics

Here are the differences between family support workers' and foster care workers' demographics:

	Family Support Worker	Foster Care Worker
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%	Male, 20.1% Female, 79.9%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between family support worker and foster care worker duties and responsibilities

Family support worker example responsibilities.

Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
Interview clients and/or their representatives and complete appropriate paperwork for filing claims for Medicaid.
Determine eligibility of food stamps, medicaid, and welfare benefits including supportive services.
Mediate conflicts between patients, handle medical emergencies, assist patients in developing and implementing positive and cooperative living skills.
Initiate and maintain regular contact with families and establishing a trust relationship, primarily with DCF families.
Prepare petitions on cases which include a summary of allegations and DCF s findings to request judicial action when require.

Foster care worker example responsibilities.

Conduct unscheduled regular school visits to attain records of attendance, suspensions, IEP, and treatment plans.
Manage to write progress note, complete FASP's and input information on PROMIS on a timely manner.
Manage caseload of 18 23 children and adolescents in DSS custody due to abuse, neglect and criminal activity.
Manage a caseload of families with children in DSS custody awaiting return home to family of origin base upon progress make.
Lead presentation and training sessions to community and inter-agency groups.
Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.

Family support worker vs foster care worker skills

Common family support worker skills

Social Work, 20%
Foster Care, 9%
Family Support, 7%
Community Resources, 7%
Family Services, 6%
Mental Health, 6%

Common foster care worker skills

Foster Care, 26%
Social Work, 19%
Child Abuse, 7%
Social Services, 6%
Foster Children, 5%
Community Resources, 4%

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Community and Social Services Industry
Family Support Worker
Family Support Worker vs Foster Care Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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