What is a social worker?
Social workers change lives
Social workers work with people of all ages, at times in their life when they need support, care and protection. Whatever the challenges individuals and families are facing, social workers aim to build trusting relationships, and to help them make positive changes in their lives.
Each year, children’s social workers in England support hundreds of thousands of children who do not have a safe and stable home. They make a real difference to their lives, and to those of their families. We want to showcase just how significant this work is: the exceptionally high levels of skill that social work takes, and the difference social workers make to people’s lives.
Child and family social work
Life can be hard, and many families need support. Children’s social workers take the lead in assessing family situations and providing help, often when families face complex challenges. They:
- Intervene at moments of crisis to protect children and provide support
- Work closely with families to create safety, stability and lasting change
- Collaborate with police, teachers, health professionals, courts and others as part of a team around the child
Social workers focus on relationship-based practice, putting children’s needs at the heart of every decision and prioritising meaningful connections over bureaucracy.
Social work for social change
Social workers trained through Approach Social Work gain the skills, knowledge and experience to drive positive social change.
They are equipped to:
- Work effectively with children and families to create sustainable improvements
- Advocate for processes and systems that work better for children
- Lead and support colleagues, ensuring high-quality practice and lasting impact
Through our programmes, social workers develop the confidence, expertise and insight to make a difference from day one and throughout their careers.