Social workers work with individuals, families, groups, and communities on a variety of issues. Their main goal is to help people improve their lives by providing empowerment and resources. If you’re considering pursuing a career in social work, it’s important to understand the different levels of practice and what each level entails.
Micro-level social work
At the micro-level, social workers focus on individual people and small groups of people. They provide direct services such as counseling, therapy, case management and advocacy to their clients. Micro-level practitioners are often the first line of defense for individuals in need of assistance or protection.
Micro-level practitioners may work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, schools and community centers. These social workers often have to quickly assess a person’s needs and provide the appropriate resources or services. A career in micro-level social work requires an understanding of the dynamics that can affect a person’s life, such as poverty, trauma and discrimination.
If you’re interested in a career in micro-level social work, there are many different jobs available. These include but are not limited to the following.
Mental health practitioner
Social workers in the mental health field assess, diagnosis and treat psychological disorders. In this role, social workers are often responsible for providing individual therapy as well as creating treatment plans for their clients.
Most mental health practitioners work in hospitals, private practices or community-based organizations.
Case manager
Case managers provide support and resources to clients who are struggling with physical illness, addiction, mental health issues, financial troubles, legal problems, or any other issue that may require assistance. They assess a client’s needs and coordinate services such as housing, medical care and employment.
Case managers often work with a variety of clients from diverse backgrounds and require excellent communication skills to effectively connect them with the resources they need.
Child and family social worker
Child and family social workers provide support to their clients in a variety of areas. These include providing counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention and referrals. They often work in schools, child welfare agencies and family court settings.
In this role, social workers strive to protect children from harm and help them overcome any obstacles they may be facing. It is also important for child and family social workers to be able to effectively communicate with parents, teachers and other professionals in order to provide the best possible outcome for their clients.
Substance abuse counselor
These professionals provide counseling, treatment and referral services to individuals who are struggling with substance abuse issues. They often collaborate with doctors and other health professionals to create a comprehensive plan of care for their clients.
Substance abuse counselors must have knowledge in both addiction medicine and mental health in order to provide the best possible service. They also need excellent communication skills, as they must be able to effectively connect with their clients and build trust.
Hospice and palliative social worker
Hospice and palliative social workers provide emotional and practical support to individuals who are facing a terminal illness or end of life. They assess the needs of their clients and coordinate services such as home healthcare, respite care and hospice care.
These professionals must be able to compassionately connect with their clients in order to provide the best possible quality of life. It is also important that they have an understanding of end-of-life care services and be able to coordinate with other medical professionals to ensure that their clients’ needs are being met.
Mezzo-level social work
While micro-level social work focuses on individual clients, mezzo-level social work focuses more on the needs of communities or a specific population. It is focused on creating solutions to larger issues such as poverty, racism and healthcare disparities.
These social workers often work in government organizations, nonprofit agencies and community-based organizations.
Career paths at the mezzo-level include but are not limited to the following.
Community organizer
These professionals help build and maintain community partnerships, coordinate advocacy campaigns, and provide resources to their clients. At this level, social workers work with a variety of stakeholders to create solutions that will benefit the entire community.
Policy analyst
Policy analysts research public policy issues and develop proposals to address social problems. They must be knowledgeable in a variety of fields such as economics, law and public health to provide the best possible solutions.
Program manager
Working in this role, a social worker would be responsible for overseeing the implementation of programs. This includes developing and implementing policies, coordinating services and evaluating outcomes. It is important for program managers to be able to effectively communicate with various stakeholders to ensure that the program is achieving its goals.
Macro-level social work
At the macro-level, social workers focus on issues such as social justice, poverty and inequality. They often work in government organizations or advocacy groups to create solutions to larger societal issues.
Career paths at the macro-level include but are not limited to the following.
- Advocacy director
An advocacy director works with a variety of stakeholders to create solutions to policy issues. They might work with government officials, grassroots organizations, and other advocacy groups to create a unified voice for pushing for change.
- Legislative liaison
These professionals serve as a bridge between the public and their elected representatives. They track legislation, monitor regulations, and conduct research in order to inform decision makers.
- Research director
A research director is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of research projects. They must be knowledgeable in various fields, such as economics, public policy and social justice. They should also be able to effectively communicate their findings to policymakers and other stakeholders.
Social work and anti-oppressive practice
Social work is about making the world a better place for everyone by advocating for social justice and challenging oppressive systems. As social workers interact with clients, they must be mindful of the power dynamics in a given situation and work to ensure that clients’ voices are heard.
Anti-oppressive practice (AOP) is a social work theory that focuses on identifying and challenging oppressive systems to create a more equitable society. Those studying the Online Master of Social Work program at Spalding University will learn how AOP focuses on understanding how oppression is perpetuated through systems of power and privilege. In the social work perspective, oppression is any type of oppressive behavior that denies people the right to self-determination, autonomy and/or freedom.
AOP also seeks to work toward creating more equitable systems by engaging in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, listening to affected populations, and developing policies that will benefit all involved.
Fundamentals of anti-oppressive practice
As social workers seek to challenge oppressive systems, it is important to understand the fundamentals of AOP. These fundamentals are:
- Critical self-reflection: The basic idea here is to think about how our privileges, biases and assumptions might impact our work.
Understanding and addressing the power dynamics between social workers and clients is essential to create a truly equitable environment. - Empowerment of service users: Service users should always be at the center of decision-making. Social workers must strive to listen to and understand the needs of service users to create solutions that are tailored to their specific situation.
- Minimal intervention: The goal here is to reduce oppression with minimum disruption to the service user’s life. This means that social workers should strive to utilize the least intrusive methods possible in order to help clients achieve their desired outcomes. Early intervention is a great way to reduce the risk of more intrusive interventions in the future.
- Partnering with service users: It’s important to remember that social workers do not have all the answers. In order to provide effective services, they should partner with service users to develop practical solutions together. This can help create a sense of ownership over the process and foster greater trust between clients and social workers.
- Assessing and understanding the experiences of service users: Understanding the various forms of oppression faced by a service user is essential to develop effective strategies. Listening to the experiences of service users can help social workers gain a deeper understanding of their situation and create tailored interventions that address their specific needs.
Importance of anti-oppressive practice in social work
As social workers strive to create an equitable society, AOP is a crucial tool that can be used to challenge oppressive systems. It emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and understanding power dynamics in order to effectively intervene and empower service users. By engaging in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, listening to affected populations, and developing policies that will benefit all involved, social workers can make a real difference in the lives of their clients.
Applying anti-oppressive practice in social work
Understanding AOP is only the first step in creating a more equitable society. Social workers must also be mindful of how they apply this theory in their practice. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when utilizing AOP:
- Acknowledge and address privilege: Privilege can be an uncomfortable topic, but understanding how it impacts clients is essential to create meaningful change. Social workers should strive to understand their own privileges and those of their clients to effectively intervene.
- Listen to affected populations: Giving service users a platform to tell their stories can be a powerful tool in developing tailored interventions. Social workers should always strive to listen to and understand the experiences of those they serve to provide effective services.
- Understand power dynamics: Power dynamics play an important role in social work, and this should always be taken into account in intervention strategies. Understanding how power can be used to oppress or empower service users is essential to create equitable solutions.
- Work collaboratively: Social workers should always strive to collaborate with clients and other stakeholders when developing interventions. This helps to ensure that all parties involved have a sense of ownership over the process and that a tailored solution is created.
Social work as a career
Getting involved in social work can be a rewarding and meaningful experience. Social workers have an important role to play in creating lasting solutions for those affected by oppression and injustice. Through their dedication and commitment, these dedicated professionals can make a real difference in the lives of those they serve.
Educational requirements for a social work career
Social work is a highly regulated profession, and there are specific educational requirements that must be met in order to practice. Most states require applicants to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in social work. In some cases, additional certifications or experience may be required.
Depending on the degree level, specific courses must also be completed. These generally include classes in human behavior and development, social welfare policy, diversity and justice, research methods, and ethics.
Apart from the educational requirements, social workers must also be licensed in the state where they are practicing. Requirements for licensure vary from state to state, but generally include passing an Association of Social Work Board exam and completing at least 3,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised practice.
Licenses for social work include:
- Licensed Baccalaureate of Social Work (LBSW): This is the first level of social work licensure and is generally required for entry-level positions. At this level, social workers generally serve clients in a supervised setting.
- Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW): A higher level of licensure that requires up to 4,000 hours of supervised practice and a master’s degree in social work. At this level, social workers provide nonclinical services such as policy analysis, program coordination and case management.
- Licensed Master of Social Work – Advanced Generalist: This is an advanced nonclinical certification demonstrating expertise in a broad range of social work services. Social workers with this certification can work in macro-level settings such as policy advocacy and community organizing.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): A highly specialized level of licensure that allows social workers to provide mental health services such as therapy and counseling. Clinicians must complete at least 4,000 hours of supervised practice in addition to a master’s degree in social work.
Individual states may have additional requirements for licensure, so it is important to check with the applicable licensing board in your area before applying.
