Child welfare work is a key field of practice for social work graduates and for graduates of a growing range of disciplines. They also work in youth programs, shelters, and child welfare agencies. The U.S. News also recognizes the CSWE-accredited School of Social Work as tying for the 12th best MSW. Those already holding a BSW can immediately begin the advanced specialization. After the Generalist Practice year, students select from four emphases, including Child, Youth and Family Welfare. Most child, family and school social workers work a standard 40-hour workweek, though some night and weekend work is required. Given the complex nature of today's child welfare involved families, combined with changing policies and diminishing resources, to practice effectively, child welfare agency staff now must possess expertise in a number of different areas, including social work, psychology, job training, child development, and human resources, among others. In the last decades of the 20th century, child-welfare policy has veered between two goals that are often in conflict: child protection and family preservation. NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Child Welfare (PDF - 135 KB). Large caseloads due to understaffing often add pressure. Child welfare is a great career builder as it exposes a social worker to so many skills (including evidence-based practice), draws upon knowledge of family and community systems, explores the impact of policy, and connects a professional to so many other systems such Abstract: Social work, poverty and child welfare interventions The relationship bet ween childrens material circumstances and child abuse and neglect raises a The work of child, family and school social workers is typically satisfying though it can be challenging. The Welfare of Children and Families pathway will prepare students for work in and across various child and family serving systems, including child welfare, schools, juvenile justice, and youth development. Child and family social workers serve students, teachers, and families in private and public schools. National Association of Social Workers (NASW) (2013) Code of Ethics National Association of Social Workers (NASW) In the 1970s and 1980s, pressure from progressive social movements and discourse emphasized the rights of poor parents and recommended aid to intact families. This article, based on a unique mixedmethods study of social work interventions and the influence of poverty, highlights a narrative from practitioners that argues that, as many poor families do not harm their children, it is stigmatizing to discuss a link between poverty and child The State of Alabama Core Child Welfare Competencies were developed in a step by step process which included input from the Higher Education Consortium on Child Welfare, State Department of Human Resources workers, child welfare faculty from accredited social work programs around the state, child welfare consumers, and multi-systems partners. Child Welfare Competencies. The BLS projects job growth in social work to outpace other fields, with some 24,800 child and family social workers entering the industry through 2028.