Become a Child and Family Social Worker

As a child and family social worker, you’ll have the opportunity to make a difference in your community by advocating for children and parents alike. These social workers are responsible for connecting families in need with essential services and for monitoring the well-being of children and their families.

For people who want to work with children and help those in challenging circumstances, this may be an attractive career path. This guide is designed to help you learn more about child and family social work—including how to become a child and family social worker, what the career outlook looks like in this field and more.

What Does a Child and Family Social Worker Do?

Child and family social workers focus on assisting children and families, especially those with living situations that put the children at risk of neglect or abuse. Some common tasks fulfilled by social workers in this field include:

• Identifying and monitoring the well-being of at-risk children
• Providing counseling to improve the social and psychological function of children and their families
• Arranging adoptions and foster homes for children
• Assisting families through fostering and adoption processes
• Acting as a liaison between a school and its at-risk families

Steps to Becoming a Child and Family Social Worker

Becoming a social worker is a big decision that requires completing specific educational and training requirements. Most states require a master’s in social work (MSW) and the completion of a social work licensing exam to become a social worker, but this may vary depending on where you live and what type of career you are pursuing.

If you’re thinking about becoming a social worker but aren’t sure what the process entails, read about child and family social worker requirements below.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

The first step to becoming a child and family social worker is completing your undergraduate studies. In addition to listening to lectures, completing assigned readings and performing research, earning a bachelor’s in social work (BSW) may require field experience or work placement. Field experience is designed to give students the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world situations while enabling them to develop new knowledge.

Research Advanced Degrees

Although some social work positions are available to those with a BSW, many prospective child and family social workers pursue advanced degrees. To become a clinical social worker, an MSW is required.

Whether you choose to enroll in-person or online, it’s important to choose an MSW degree program that fits your lifestyle and helps you meet your career goals. Many MSW degree programs offer specializations in child and family social work that may help you prepare for your future workplace.

Pass the ASWB Examination

To become a licensed social worker, you must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) examination. The ASWB administers several different levels of social work exams: bachelor’s, master’s, advanced generalist and clinical. The exam you take depends on your education level and what type of social work you want to practice. Each level of the ASWB exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within a four-hour window.

Before registering for the ASWB exam, be sure to check with your local social work licensing board for specific eligibility information.

Get Licensed

Once you’ve passed the ASWB exam, you’ll need to obtain social work licensure to begin your career as a child and family social worker. The process of obtaining licensure varies by state, but generally involves submitting an application and paying a licensing fee. After you complete the ASWB exam, your results will be forwarded to your local social work board for review. The type of social work licensure you obtain depends on which category of ASWB exam you took, as well as what licenses are available in your jurisdiction. For more information, find your local licensing board website.

Apply for NASW’s Certified Advanced Children, Youth and Family Social Worker Credential

Some social workers may also choose to apply for the Advanced Children, Youth and Family Social Worker Certification from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Obtaining this social work certification is an optional step that provides a clear way for MSW-level practitioners to demonstrate experience in child and family social work. It also allows social workers to distinguish themselves from others in the field.

Child and Family Social Work Job Outlook

The typical social worker salary differs based on where you live and what type of work you do. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on social workers, the median child and family social worker salary in 2026 was $61,330 per year. BLS data also shows that the industry in which you work can have an effect on your potential earnings. For example, social workers in local government earned higher median salaries than those in individual and family services.

Regardless of your specialization, the BLS projects a positive job outlook for social workers. Social work jobs are projected to grow by 6% from 2024 to 2034. This is faster than the average projected growth for all professions.

Child and Family Social Worker FAQs

Before you enroll in a social work degree program, it’s important to research potential careers that might interest you. Below, we address common questions about careers in child and family social work.

How long does it take to become a child and family social worker?
While the time required to become a social worker varies by individual, it generally takes about four to six years to complete the child and family social work requirements. Earning your bachelor’s degree takes roughly four years, and earning your MSW usually takes another two years. In addition, child and family social workers who want to work in a clinical setting are required to complete at least two years of supervised work experience before earning a license.

Is child and family social work a good career?
Social work can be a very rewarding career, but this perspective varies by individual. If you want to provide services to vulnerable youth and help families navigate complex situations such as finding foster care services or housing, then a social work career in child and family services may be a good fit for you.

Where do child and family social workers work?
Child and family social workers usually have an office as their base, but they are often out in the community performing outreach, visiting clients and developing programs that connect people to resources like food stamps and childcare. Some social workers may also work remotely on occasion, meeting with clients over video conference.

What skills make a good child and family social worker?
Crucial skills for social workers include active listening, critical thinking and effective communication. It is also important for child and family social workers to be empathetic and patient with their clients.