Becoming a caseworker is a challenging but rewarding career. You’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those you serve, while also gaining valuable experience that will help you succeed in your future endeavors.
To become a caseworker, you’ll need to complete an accredited training program and pass a state exam. Once you’ve completed these steps, you can begin applying for positions with local agencies or organizations.
Many caseworkers work for local government agencies such as child protective services or probation offices. Other caseworkers choose to work for private organizations that are dedicated to helping individuals with specific needs such as mental illness or substance abuse problems.
To become a caseworker, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in social work and pass the state’s licensing exam.
If you’re interested in becoming a caseworker, you should start by getting your bachelor’s degree in social work. This can take four years of full-time study or more if you go part-time. After you graduate and receive your degree, you’ll need to apply for and pass the state licensing exam before becoming a caseworker.
How To Become Caseworker
Case workers advocate for a variety of clients to help navigate challenging situations and improve their quality of life. Becoming a case worker can be your first introduction into the larger industry of social work that aims to provide the best information, care and resources to all people. In this article, we discuss what a case worker is, the skills and job responsibilities of the position, how to become one and the average salary outlook for the industry.
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What is a case worker?
A case worker is a social worker who advocates for their clients with the government, legal systems and other service providers. Case workers may support clients such as:
- Adults with disabilities
- Children and families
- Elderly individuals
- Individuals with mental challenges
- People recovering from addiction
Related: Social Workers vs. Case Managers
What does a case worker do?
The job duties of a case worker may vary depending on the clients you serve and the institutions for which you work. Some general responsibilities of a case worker include:
- Attend case summary reviews and legal proceedings.
- Check on clients to make sure they are meeting goals and managing situations.
- Conduct psychosocial and psychological evaluations.
- Connect clients to public resources through referrals.
- Coordinate care services for clients.
- Counsel clients on making healthier, safer and more productive choices in their lives.
- Create case plans.
- Ensure client safety.
- Help clients secure necessities like housing or food benefits.
- Maintain case records.
- Make case presentations to the courts and other providers.
- Outline plan requirements and set goals for clients.
- Perform home visits to examine a client’s living situation.
- Provide counseling and assistance services for clients.
- Recommend classes and treatment options for clients.
- Report and document claims and evidence of neglect, abuse or illegal activity.
- Work with teams of service providers to arrange action plans for clients.
Skills for a case worker
Case workers typically have a wide range of interpersonal and technological skills. Some may include:
Communication
You may spend most of your day talking to clients and providers in person, on the phone, through email and by text message. You may also write reports and case plans to share with clients and other people involved in the current situation. Having excellent communication skills can help make these tasks easier and ensure all parties involved understand the information you’re trying to convey.
Compassion
Some cases or clients may want guidance and reassurance throughout the course of your relationship. Being compassionate and non-judgmental about their concerns and being kind when answering questions can help make them feel better. It may also help them stick to their plans and meet their goals if they know you care about their wellbeing and their future.
Critical thinking
You may encounter disputes between two or more clients, services or organizations. Critical-thinking skills can help you decide which course of action to take and how to best resolve an issue to benefit all parties involved.
Negotiation
As a client advocate, you may negotiate with government and legal organizations or service providers to get the best possible care or services for your clients. Being skilled in negotiation may help you create a plan and convince others to provide the necessities for which you ask.
Organization and time management
As a case worker, you may work with many clients at the same time. Being organized can help prioritize tasks and cases, ensure you make it to appointments on time and are giving each case as much attention as possible.
Related: What Is a Social Worker? Types of Social Workers and Social Work Environments
How to become a case worker
Use these steps to learn how to become a case worker:
1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
Many entry-level case worker positions require at least a bachelor’s degree to apply. Potential case workers may choose to receive degrees in social work or related fields like psychology or sociology. You may also earn a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field if you can supplement one year of related social work training through volunteer experience or employment with a related nonprofit organization.
If you enroll in a bachelor’s degree programs that is accredited through the Council on Social Work Education, you can ensure that the program follows a set of standards and best practices in the industry and that the curriculum may prepare you for a job upon graduation. Some courses may include social work methodology, social welfare and human behavior.
2. Consider taking foreign language classes
Consider taking foreign language classes either within your bachelor’s degree program or as supplementary courses. While being proficient in a foreign language isn’t a requirement to become a social worker, you may have clients from multi-lingual or English-as-a-second-language backgrounds. Speaking at least one other language fluently, especially one that is commonly spoken in the area where you hope to live and work, can appeal to potential employers. Though American Sign Language (ASL) is not a foreign language, it may be another that you can learn to better communicate with potential clients.
3. Choose a specialty
Case workers may handle cases for a variety of clients in different environments, while others choose to specialize in one specific subset of social work. If you hope to specialize, some areas may include:
- Child, family or school case worker: Support youth and families in situations like foster care placement to provide resources, counseling, benefits and therapy services
- Clinical case worker: Support medical clients beyond traditional resource connections and can provide more targeted care, similar to a psychiatrist
- Community case worker: Support entire communities to provide help through counseling and community outreach
- Healthcare case worker: Support patients with chronic illnesses to provide referrals and to advocate with insurance companies and medical staff
- Hospice or palliative care case worker: Support patients who are near the end of their lives and their families to assist in decision making and advocate with insurance companies and medical staff
- Macro case worker: Support the social work industry as a whole by researching and advocating for policy changes and resource availability
- Military and veteran case worker: Support active military members and veterans in transitioning to civilian life through referrals for housing, job and mental health services
- Psychiatric case worker: Support clients with mental health conditions in a clinical setting to provide therapy resources and referrals and to advocate with insurance companies and medical staff
- Substance abuse case worker: Support people with or recovering from addiction, mental health conditions and substance abuse issues by setting plans for overcoming addictions or for living a healthier lifestyle
4. Complete an internship or fieldwork requirements
Social work programs may require you to complete an internship, practicum course or fieldwork before graduation. These classes encourage you gain experience that may help you secure a position after receiving your degree. You may take part in a program in your last year of schooling. Your instructors may place you with an affiliate organization to complete the requirements. Many internships or practicums require 16-20 hours of work per week with a varying schedule depending on your classes and placement site. Talk with your program moderator to learn any additional requirements.
5. Have a valid driver’s license
Some positions and internships may require you to have a valid state driver’s license if your job requires you to transport clients to appointments. This is not a requirement for all case worker jobs.
6. Get your case worker license
Some case worker jobs may require you to earn a license before you can apply. This is not a requirement for all positions, but holding a valid license may show potential employers that you have completed all prerequisites and commit to continuing your education or professional development. To find out if your state or employer requires a social work license, check with The Association of Social Work Board. Some types of licenses and credentials may include:
- Clinical social work license: Ideal for those who want to provide clinical services and open a private practice
- Master social work license: Ideal for those who want to work outside a clinical setting with a variety of clients
7. Get a certification in social work
Consider applying for a voluntary social work certification. Organizations like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offer credentials like the Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM) designation. Requirements for certification may include completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, a required number of paid and supervised work hours, successful completion of a written exam and proof of licensing.
8. Consider earning a master’s degree
If you would like to advance in your case worker career, consider pursuing a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) degree. Programs may take two or more years to complete. Options to work full-time and take courses part-time may be available. Many MSW programs require a bachelor’s degree in behavior science or related fields like gender studies, human development, political science or early childhood development. You may also choose a focus area for your MSW based on your areas of interest.
Programs may include traditional lectures and courses, participation in research projects, hands-on experience for clinical disciplines and the completion of an internship or fieldwork. Some case workers choose to pursue a MSW directly after graduation from their bachelor’s program or after a few years in the field.
9. Complete training
Some positions may require you to complete additional training during the hiring process to ensure you have the skills and credentials for your specialty. For example, you may complete a background check or a child abuse training course if working with children and families. You may also complete specialized training courses about diseases, disorders and medical protocol if you are going to work with patients.
10. Pursue continuing education
Consider pursuing continuing education even after finding a job in the industry. State and national licensing boards and voluntary certification groups may require you to complete continuing education to renew your credentials and keep them current, but it can be beneficial for anyone in social work. Types of continuing education may include:
- Conferences
- Courses
- Distance learning
- Independent writing and research projects
- Meetings
- Panel discussions
- Seminars
- Workshops
