When children are found to be in a dangerous or abusive environment, they may be removed from their home and placed into foster care until their biological parents can regain custody.
The people who assist the children and families within the foster care system are foster care social workers. To become a foster care social worker, you need education and a license.
Keep reading to learn more about what a foster care social worker does and the requirements you'll need to fulfill to become one.
Requirements to Become a Foster Care Social Worker
To become a foster care social worker, you'll need education, training, and a license. We've broken down all the requirements to become a foster care social worker below.
1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
To enter the field of social work, you'll need at least a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree is an undergraduate degree that takes about four years.
Bachelor's degrees in social work are common. They typically cover topics like:
- Child Development
- Human Development
- Poverty
- Psychology
- Social Policy and Social Work
- Sociology
Many bachelor's for social work are available online, though students may still need to participate in internships or field experience.
You can find a full list of accredited social work programs through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
2. Earn a Master's Degree in Social Work
To work as a clinical social worker, that is, one that works hand-on with clients, you'll need to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
Many of these programs offer concentrations, such as one in child and family social work, so you can focus on aspects of social work that apply to families and the foster care system.
Students with a bachelor's in social work may be able to complete their program in as little as a year.
Otherwise, these programs usually take two years to complete. Dual bachelor's/master's programs are common.
Master of Social Work degrees are often available online, especially for students who have a bachelor's degree in social work. However, most still require in-person practice.
3. Fulfill Supervised Clinical Experience
Before becoming licensed as a clinical social worker, most states require you to complete a certain number of hours of supervised clinical experience.
The requirements for this supervised clinical experience can vary between states.
You can find more information about state requirements through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB).
Some states may allow you to count the clinical experience you completed during your master's degree, which can cut down on the overall number of additional hours you need to complete.
4. Obtain Your Social Work License
To practice as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), you'll need to obtain a social work license through your state. Requirements for licensure can vary, but generally include:
- A master's degree in social work
- Clinical experience
- Passing a licensing exam
- Passing a background check
Many states use the licensing exams offered by the Association of Social Work Boards. The ASWB offers exams for various degree levels and for clinical and non-clinical social work.
Some states have their exam that you need to take instead of or in addition to the ASWB exams. Check your state requirements to see what exams you need to take.
Once you've earned your social work license, you may be required to complete a certain amount of continuing education hours every so often to keep your license current.
What Is a Foster Care Social Worker?
A social worker is someone who helps people navigate challenging times in their lives.
Someone who works as a foster care social worker works with families within the foster care system.
They typically work for government organizations like Child Protective Services (CPS), the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS), or a local equivalent.
Foster care social workers are responsible for placing children with a foster family and working toward reuniting them with their biological family.
The job duties of a foster care social worker may include:
- Advocating for the needs of foster children
- Assessing the living conditions of both biological families and foster families
- Connecting families with resources like food and housing assistance
- Facilitating visitation with the biological families when this is an option
- Helping foster children and foster families adapt to the new dynamic
- Monitoring the progress of children and families
- Providing emotional support for foster children
Become a Foster Care Social Worker
Foster care social workers help children and families involved in the foster care system. To become a foster care social worker, you'll need education, clinical experience, and a license.
With the information above, you can start your journey toward a career as a foster care social worker today.
