What Do Social Workers Do? Guide to Roles, Duties & Careers

Published on: September 30, 2022 | 13 minutes read

By: David Stewart

Psychology

If you want to make a meaningful difference with your career, becoming a social worker can help you do just that. Social workers help improve the lives of vulnerable populations and advocate for positive change within their communities through different types of social work.

Beyond that, what do social workers do? Since social work is such a broad field, a social worker’s daily duties can vary greatly from one setting to the next.

To help you decide if social work is the right profession for you, this guide will break down the day-to-day realities of being a social worker.

Key Takeaways

Social workers are trained professionals who support vulnerable populations through difficult scenarios or crises.
A day in the life of a social worker can involve assessing clients, advocating for policy change, documenting research, and more.
Becoming a social worker begins with earning a bachelor’s of social work (BSW) or master’s of social work (MSW) from a reputable school.

Social work is a care-related field dedicated to uplifting every member of society. Social workers are united by the commitment to:^[1]

Advance social welfare
Support individuals facing crises, adversity, and oppression
Help people access resources to meet their most basic needs
Promote social justice and equality
Empower people through counseling, advocacy, and reporting
Respect the dignity and worth of all people
Adhere to the social work code of ethics

As a profession, social work has existed for over a century.^[2] During that time, social workers have engaged in a wide range of situations and duties, from providing individual counseling to promoting policy changes.

To fulfill their goals, social workers typically need a nuanced understanding of human behavior and development. They must also be aware of the complex ways social problems, cultural, and economic factors can impact individuals within a community.

Social workers practice many crucial skills throughout their schooling and professional experiences. These skills include:

Empathy and compassion: Social workers must be able to accept diverse perspectives and unique situations without judgment.
Active listening: Helping clients is not just about hearing them, but about truly understanding their underlying needs.
Boundary setting: The intensity of social work can sometimes lead to burnout, so learning how to maintain professional distance is vital.
Cultural competence: All social workers need to know how to respect people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses.

Social work takes place across many levels. Depending on where social workers are employed and the scope of work they specialize in, their day-to-day tasks can vary.

Broadly speaking, there are three scopes of social work.

At the micro level, social workers offer one-on-one support to people in need. For example, they may provide mental health therapy, substance abuse counseling, or housing assistance to individuals, couples, or families.

The second level of social work concentrates on groups of people rather than individuals. A social worker operating within this scope may offer support in schools, prisons, hospitals, or neighborhoods.

For example, a school social worker may engage in crisis intervention, facilitate conflict resolution, and develop strategies that benefit their students. A clinical social worker may help families of terminally ill hospital patients navigate the logistics of end-of-life care.

The last level of social work focuses on impacting positive social change on a broader scale. Macro social workers may participate in research, social program development, advocacy, or policymaking. For instance, a macro social worker may address homelessness in their city by advocating for new legislation.

Each of these scopes of social work plays an important role in advancing social welfare. Professional social workers can take their careers in many directions, depending on the scope of work they choose to specialize in. While a micro-social worker may spend most of their time meeting with clients one-on-one, a macro-social worker may primarily engage with local government officials and community representatives.

MSW Program Overview

Social workers generally help people who are vulnerable, marginalized, or in crisis. They provide support through social service programs, community organizations, and advocacy.

Here are examples of the populations that social workers may work with:

People who are homeless
People living in poverty
People with disabilities
Victims of violence or domestic abuse
Children and adolescents
Couples and families
Elderly people
Students
Hospital patients
People with substance abuse issues
People with mental health issues
People within the LGBTQ community
Refugees and immigrants
Veterans
People in the criminal justice system

Social workers support these vulnerable communities in various ways. On any given day, social workers may be responsible for:

Assessing individual needs: Social workers often evaluate clients on a case-by-case basis. After determining a client’s needs, the social worker can construct a plan to help the client improve their situation and reach their goal, whether that is overcoming addiction or obtaining affordable housing.
Matching clients with relevant resources: Individuals in crisis can often struggle to access resources. Social workers can facilitate the process on their behalf. For instance, a community social worker may help a client sign up for food stamps, affordable healthcare, or subsidized housing.
Helping people adjust to life events: Divorce, illness, death, and unemployment are just a few examples of events that can turn someone’s life upside down. Social workers can help people adjust to these changes by providing counseling, resources, and other forms of assistance.
Offering support in times of crisis: Social workers can also step in during more extreme situations. For example, if a social worker suspects that a child is being abused, they can inform the relevant authorities to ensure the child’s safety. Social workers may also assist individuals impacted by natural disasters.
Advocating for policy changes: Laws often need updates to enable vulnerable communities to receive the support they need. Social workers can advocate for these populations by presenting research to policymakers and explaining why certain policies should be enacted.
Researching and developing social programs: Some social workers may assist with researching and developing new social programs to support communities in need. For example, a social worker might create an affordable child care assistance program for working mothers living in poverty.
Offering testimonies in court: On occasion, social workers may be asked to provide testimonies in court. For instance, during a domestic abuse case, a social worker could give the jury insight into the family’s dynamics.
Providing clinical services: Some social workers specialize in clinical social work, which qualifies them to provide mental health diagnoses and treatment plans. Clinical social workers with Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) accreditation may offer their clients mental health therapy to help them get through difficult situations and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Checking in with past clients: Social workers may occasionally check in with their past clients to see if they are still doing well. Social workers may also re-evaluate their clients’ resources to ensure they receive adequate support as their situations change.
Documenting their work: Social workers typically document their efforts to ensure their clients have detailed reports about the support they receive. Many social workers spend a considerable amount of time on paperwork.

These examples are only the beginning of social work’s impact on communities. As society continues to change and evolve, so will the field of social work.

Because social work is a complex, unpredictable field that involves individuals, no two days are the same. With that said, an average social worker shift may include:

Routine tasks: Throughout the day, social workers review case files, read new findings, and respond to urgent emails as crises arise.
Collaborating with other professionals: Social workers may meet with doctors, teachers, lawyers, or police officers, depending on their specialization. In medical settings, they function as vital health professionals who bridge the gap between treatment and home life.
Going out into the field: Some social workers schedule home visits or community meetings with their clients.
Conducting research: Other social workers develop and test theories in labs and other facilities.

With the proper credentials, social workers can usually apply for jobs in a variety of settings. The flexible dynamics of the social worker role allow professionals to specialize in many areas and address the unique needs of individuals and families.

Some social workers are hired by social work agencies. Other social workers may be able to find jobs in the following workplaces:

Government agencies
Senior centers and nursing homes
Schools and universities
Hospitals and healthcare facilities
Prisons and courts
Clinics and counseling agencies
Community outreach programs
Military bases
Private practices

There are also many different career paths for people trained in social work. Below is a sample list of different types of social work.

Healthcare social work and medical social work are closely related. Both focus on continuity of care and address any psychosocial factors that may impact treatment outcomes. They work in healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, or hospice care institutions.

Healthcare social workers aid in a patient’s transition from medical care to their home. They also help their clients adjust to their illnesses, managing their needs and diagnoses.

These professionals, also known as liscensed clinical social workers, are trained to provide counseling for mental health issues, which includes therapy, assessment, and diagnosis. As specialized mental health professionals, they often work in healthcare facilities, mental health clinics, or in private practice, and help individuals cope with emotional, behavioral, or psychological challenges and prevailing mental illness.

These social workers look after family and child welfare in various settings, such as adoption agencies, schools, or community centers. They provide assistance to parents who need help raising their children, while supporting people and helping kids maintain a healthy, fulfilling life.

Family social workers often collaborate with a family therapist or a child welfare social worker. Their social work profession recognizes the interconnectedness of family dynamics and child welfare concerns.

These professionals focus on the academic and emotional needs of students. School social work entails collaborating with teachers, families, and administrators to address issues such as bullying, behavioral challenges, and family crises.

Substance abuse specialists help clients with addiction problems overcome their substance abuse disorder and achieve recovery through programs and services. They can also assist their clients with housing and employment concerns. Their ultimate goal is to help individuals achieve sobriety, improve their overall quality of life, and sustain long-term recovery.

If you are drawn to social work, you may be wondering how to become a social worker.

Here are the common steps you may take on the path toward becoming a social worker:

Step 1: Obtain an accredited social work degree: In most cases, social workers benefit from completing the necessary education requirements before practicing in the field. To become a social worker, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), a master of social work (MSW), or both. Your chosen social work program should be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Some entry-level jobs may only require a BSW. However, many social work roles require an MSW and an up-to-date social work practice license.

Step 2: Apply for your social work license: Many social work positions require you to be an officially licensed social worker in your state. Before you can apply for licensure, you will likely need to earn your MSW, and gain significant work experience.^[3]

After that, you can obtain your license by passing the Association of Social Work Boards (AWSB) Social Work Licensing exam and fulfilling any additional social work licensure requirements laid out by your state’s licensing board.

Step 3: Complete continuing education requirements: Some roles require social workers to participate in continuing education courses. Otherwise, you may not be eligible for bi-annual licensure renewal.

Once you have achieved the required education, training, and social work licensure in your state, you can start pursuing a fulfilling career in social work.

Licensure vs. Specialty Certification

Due to the sensitive nature of social work, the field is highly regulated. Social workers are legally required to have a license to practice, though licensing varies by state.

The different social worker licenses include:

Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): This license is for social workers with a bachelor’s degree. It is an entry-level license that allows for basic practice.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): This license is for graduates of master’s programs. It allows social workers to complete clinical work under the need to supervise their progress. Specifically, this license often requires a period of supervised work experience to ensure competency.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): This license is for social workers with a master’s degree and 2–3 years of clinical experience. With this license, social workers can practice independently.

In addition to state licenses, there are voluntary certifications. For example, the National Association of Social Workers offers credentials, such as “Certified School Social Work Specialist.” While these credentials are not legally required, they prove that a social worker has obtained specialized training in a certain area of practice.

Social work is a diverse and exciting profession. As a social worker, you can pursue a career in many directions and work with a wide range of populations in need.

While social work may be emotionally taxing at times, it can also be incredibly rewarding. The practice gives you a chance to make a real impact in your community.

If this type of work interests you, you may want to pursue a master’s degree in social work at ��Ĵ�ý. Our California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) offers an online MSW program that is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). It is designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to become a social worker.

Take your first step towards a fulfilling career in social work and learn more about our online CSWE-accredited MSW program today.

Sources:

^[1] “Read the Code of Ethics.” National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Accessed April 20, 2026. .

^[2] “Social Work History.” National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Accessed April 20, 2026. .

^[3] Munday, Rebecca. “Social Work Licensing Guide & Requirements.” Psychology.org, September 26, 2025. .

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