Establish a compassionate career by becoming a social worker in Singapore. With this role required across numerous health and social care organisations, and government bodies, you’ll benefit from refined communication skills and an empathetic mindset that helps people overcome tough challenges.
After completing a Bachelor’s or Graduate Diploma in Social Work, you’ll be ready to assist people across Singapore, especially the most vulnerable. Here, we consider how to build a successful career as a social worker today.
What does a social worker do?
Social workers help individuals, families and communities manage and overcome numerous complex problems. For example, you might assist children who experience psychological issues or the elderly with complicated health concerns.
Meanwhile, social workers advocate for social change by facilitating improved access to financial support, legal services and emergency accommodation. This provides their clients with much-needed support while offering them the chance to live a happy and wholesome life.
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The main reasons to become a social worker
Thinking about moving into social work? There’s no shortage of reasons people take up this altruistic career path. Here, we consider just some of the primary reasons to get involved.
1. You’ll help people in need
Social work is about helping the people that need it most. Whether clients come from disenfranchised backgrounds, develop drug and alcohol problems or find themselves unable to work due to a debilitating injury, social workers ensure these people don’t get left behind.
Although there aren’t straightforward solutions to many of the challenges faced by people in need, a social worker can vastly improve someone’s circumstances. If you feel passionate about helping people, becoming a social worker could be the ideal career move.
2. There are plenty of jobs
As Singapore experiences an ageing population and people become more aware of the social programmes available, the demand for social workers has grown in recent years. Now, you can find work in countless organisations, ranging from the healthcare industry to the education sector.
Becoming a social worker in Singapore is more attractive than ever, thanks to improved salaries and career advancement opportunities. Plus, there will always be an active demand to boost the number of social workers in Singapore, so now is the perfect time to start your journey.
3. You’ll challenge yourself
No two days are the same as a social worker. After you learn about an individual or group’s issues, you must complete your analysis and work towards an effective solution. Throughout this process, you’ll constantly encounter fresh concerns and unforeseen situations.
As you become more experienced and establish your reputation, you can impact policy decisions that make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable people. Meanwhile, getting some people the help they need often requires a creative approach that tests your skills and commitment.
Common social worker career paths
When choosing your career path as a social worker, the following roles place you in a dynamic professional environment where you can develop useful skills and act on your values.
1. Healthcare social worker
Healthcare social workers are crucial for people struggling to navigate the medical sector. By getting to know a specific patient’s issue and identifying ways to resolve it, you help them access essential services while ensuring their recovery goes as smoothly as possible.
For example, you might organise in-home healthcare services for a patient unable to reach a medical facility. You might also rent medical equipment, provide transportation, or help a patient gain access to a suitable healthcare programme.
2. Community social worker
Community social workers ensure a local area provides its residents with the care and support they need. This role sees workers lend a hand to individuals and families experiencing difficulties by helping them access crucial support services.
While the government typically retains community social workers, non-profit organisations and NGOs may also employ people in this position. Across family outreach, addiction programmes, unemployment assistance and more, community social workers provide a vital service.
3. Family social worker
Family social workers help children and their parents access psychosocial support while providing counselling for various challenging scenarios. Often working under the guidance of a psychologist, social workers play an integral role in maintaining healthy communities.
While their assistance is often health-related, family social workers may offer financial aid, organise treatment for addiction problems and navigate stress-related concerns. By working alongside clients to create a treatment plan, getting people the help they need is within your grasp.
