What does a Caseworker do?
Caseworkers operate in the field of social work. They work one-on-one with clients to navigate and manage the available services and agencies to support their needs. This can include planning referrals for financial aid, employment counselling, legal aid, housing assistance, and medical treatment. A Caseworker then follows up with the client to ensure they access the needed programs and services.
Caseworker skills and qualifications
Successful Caseworks are advocates for social change and have a balanced blend of desire to help others and resourcefulness. They enjoy working with other professionals in a team environment and can multitask and manage multiple cases at once effectively. Some of the other vital skills and qualifications of a Caseworker include:
- Ability to listen with compassion, empathy, and without judgement to a diverse demographic
- Strong organizational skills to manage several cases simultaneously with a high level of care
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to come up with creative solutions
- Strong foundational knowledge of available social services and support agencies within the community
- Strong understanding of various social issues, including unemployment, poverty, housing, racism, and addiction
- Ability to develop prevention and intervention programs and support systems
Caseworker experience requirements
Look for Caseworkers with a strong understanding of all available social services within the community. If the role requires specialized knowledge, look for a candidate with experience working in a particular or related area such as child welfare, senior welfare, family services, addictions, or corrections.
Caseworker education and training requirements
All provinces and territories in Canada require Caseworkers to have a bachelor’s degree in social work. However, there is an exception in Alberta, where a social work diploma is also acceptable. So be sure to confirm that candidates meet the relevant education requirements when reviewing resumes.
Candidates must also be registered with the local governing body and have membership within the provincial or territorial Social Workers Association before practicing. For example, candidates applying to practice in Saskatchewan need to be a member of the Saskatchewan Social Workers Association. Most Canadian associations allow candidates to apply online.
Caseworker salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, average pay for a Caseworker in Canada is $23.31 per hour. This varies depending on factors like the candidate’s experience, education, office location, and your company’s needs.
Job description samples for similar positions
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