Social Worker
What is a Social Worker and what do they do?
Social Workers provide advice, advocacy and support to individuals and families/whanau with personal and social problems, including emotional and mental health concerns. They also help with community and social issues.
For more information on what being a Social Worker is all about, check out the following website links:
What do Child and Adolescent Mental Health and AOD Social Workers do?
A Child and Adolescent Mental Health Social Worker helps children and young people with mental health needs and their families/whānau to find solutions and supports for issues they may be facing.
Some of the things Social Workers in this field do are:
- work to improve the well-being of children, young people and their families/whanau within their community
- talk with children, young people and their families/whanau about personal and social problems they are facing and helps them find solutions to these
- advise children, young people and their families/whanau on their rights and opportunities
- link children, young people and their families/whanau with community resources
- advocacy and national policy/legislative development
- use the law to protect infants, children and young people
- work with other mental health professionals as part of a multi-disciplinary team
What's great about this job?
"The belief that you are gonna make a difference everyday....that's the hope anyway....the young people and the families that you see, you at least make some kind of difference." Angelica Tusini-Rex, Vaka Toa Pacific Team, Whirinaki CAMHS, Counties Manuakau DHB, Auckland
"I like working with our Pacific youth and seeing them everyday....getting to know them, we've got some awesome Pacific people out there." Vaka Toa Pacific Team, Whirinaki CAMHS, Counties Manukau DHB, Auckland
"I learn a lot from my clients, working with young people, they've always got something new to offer....puts a different perspective on life. I like that it's different, I like that it's challenging, and I like that you learn things." Denise Buchanan, Early Psychosis Intervention Team, Waitemata DHB, Auckland
"A basic belief that what I do is worthwhile." Ann Hamblin, Rostrevor House, Hamilton
What personal qualities do you need?
A Child and Adolescent Mental Health Social Worker needs to be:
- good at listening
- understanding
- empathetic
- patient
- able to cope with stressful situations
- responsible
- approachable
- able to build up a good rapport with a wide variety of people
Who could you work with?
Depending on where you work, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Social Workers can work with all ages of children and young people. An essential part of being a Social Worker is also working with families/whanau, schools and other government and non-government organisations (NGOs).
What kinds of places could you work in?
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Social Workers are usually based in a specialist service with other mental health workers. Working 'off-site' (away from the office) is a big part of the job with school and family visits as well as regular activities happening all the time.
How much could you expect to earn?
Depending on where you start your Social Work career, new graduates can expect to start on approximately $35,000 per year. Senior Social Workers can earn $50,000+ per year.
Are there any scholarships you can apply for to help with the cost of studying?
Yes! There are a number of scholarships that you may be able to apply for. Click here for details.
For information on where you can study to become a Social Worker, how long it takes and what you should study at school click here for the Social Worker page on the Career Services website.
