Tips for Social Workers

Whether you work in a school, hospital or other clinical settings, it’s important to learn tips for new social workers. Because social work needs to work with diverse client groups, caseworkers need to be ready to face work challenges from the beginning.

1. Accept that you will be emotionally affected:

Many first-time social workers tend to shut down their emotions. In reality, it is not possible to leave every part of the job at work. Certain cases you encounter may make you feel stressed, exhausted, hopeless and even useless. It is important to give yourself permission to feel different emotions, especially when children are involved. One tip that many new social workers will benefit from is finding a therapist of their own.

2. Use your empathy to your client’s benefit:

Those that succeed in the field of social work have one thing in common, that is empathy. Good social workers can easily put themselves in a client’s shoes. This not only provides support and acceptance but also helps you understand your client’s needs.

3. Let your silence speak:

Guidance is important, but it’s also important to give clients time to think. Don’t feel like you have to fill the silence with endless plans and instructions. Instead, let your clients think about what you have already told them. The answer can be secretly hidden under all the noise that ruins the client’s life, just waiting to appear in a quiet moment. You will be amazed at how much confidence a few minutes of silence can bring, not just to your customers.

4. Cooperation is the key:

With such a wide range of personalities in your clients, it won’t be long before you encounter a client where you have disagreements. Maybe it’s because their case is more complex and challenging, they may refuse to follow your suggestions or perceive it in the wrong way. One of the most helpful tips is to cooperate.