Welfare Worker

Summary

Welfare workers work with individuals, families, groups and communities to improve quality of life by empowering, educating and supporting people and by helping them to change their social environment.

Duties & Tasks

Welfare workers may perform the following tasks:

  • provide support while exploring alternatives with clients who experience difficulties such as marital problems, unemployment, illness or drug abuse
  • arrange for clients to be referred to appropriate specialists or community agencies
  • help clients with long-term problems to bring about self-directed change in their lives
  • assess risks and provide intensive short-term crisis counselling for victims of domestic violence or child abuse
  • help to establish or administer neighbourhood houses or community groups
  • evaluate data and write reports, including submissions requesting funding for continuing programs and new projects
  • advocate (act) on behalf of clients who have a grievance against an organisation or government department
  • arrange and evaluate support services, such as Meals on Wheels delivery to elderly people living alone
  • recruit, train and coordinate volunteer staff
  • assist community groups to identify and implement strategies to deal with local issues.

Working Conditions

Welfare workers work individually or as part of a team. They may work in an office, visit clients in their homes and attend evening community meetings.

Personal Requirements

  • able to communicate effectively with a wide range of people
  • tolerance and an open mind
  • good planning and organisational skills
  • initiative
  • sense of responsibility
  • able to deal with conflict in stressful situations
  • commitment to human rights and social justice.

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