Public Administration & LegalISCO 2635
Clinical social worker
A clinical social worker is a person who provides therapy, counselling and intervention services to patients, working with people facing personal difficulties including mental illness, addiction and abuse.
Check yourself in a minute: clinical social worker
Rate 5 of the 67 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
apply anti-oppressive practices
provide social counselling
involve service users and carers in care planning
work within communities
meet standards of practice in social services
About clinical social worker
Clinical social work duties combine direct work with a person and work on their behalf. The worker plans the process of delivering social services, prepares a package of social work for an individual, and advocates for them so that they can reach the resources they are entitled to: treatment, housing, benefits, a place in a programme. Negotiating with service users is part of that, so that a plan of support is agreed with them.
The worker supports children who have experienced trauma and intervenes in situations where someone's safety is at risk.
The worker collaborates with other professionals, including those in healthcare. Healthcare legislation applies to the work, and the worker deals with the ethical issues that arise in social service delivery. The social impact of actions on service users is weighed in every decision. The worker also looks at the social dimension of medical problems and public health questions. Qualification requirements are set by national social work rules.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (67)
social work theorysocial work theoryThe development and characteristics of social work theories underpinned by social sciences and humanities.legal requirements in the social sectorlegal requirements in the social sectorThe prescribed legislative and regulatory requirements in the social sector.social sciencessocial sciencesThe development and characteristics of sociological, anthropological, psychological, political, and social policy theories.clinical social workclinical social workThe branch of social work that deals with assessing, making diagnoses, treating and preventing bio-psychological problems and other behavioural disturbances.health care systemhealth care systemThe structure and function of health care services.social justicesocial justiceThe development and principles of human rights and social justice and the way they should be applied on a case by case basis.company policiescompany policiesThe set of rules that govern the activity of a company.apply anti-oppressive practicesapply anti-oppressive practicesIdentify oppression in societies, economies, cultures, and groups, acting as a professional in an non-oppressive way, enabling service users to take action to improve their lives and enabling citizens...provide social counsellingprovide social counsellingAssist and guide social service users to resolve personal, social or psychological problems and difficulties.involve service users and carers in care planninginvolve service users and carers in care planningEvaluate the needs of individuals in relation to their care, involve families or carers in supporting the development and implementation of support plans. Ensure review and monitoring of these plans.work within communitieswork within communitiesEstablish social projects aimed at community development and active citizen participation.meet standards of practice in social servicesmeet standards of practice in social servicesPractice social care and social work in a lawful, safe and effective way according to standards.empower social service usersempower social service usersEnable individuals, families, groups and communities to gain more control over their lives and environment, either by themselves or with the help of others.apply quality standards in social servicesapply quality standards in social servicesApply quality standards in social services while upholding social work values and principles.apply case managementapply case managementAssess, plan, facilitate, coordinate, and advocate for options and services on behalf of a person.apply crisis interventionapply crisis interventionRespond methodologically to a disruption or breakdown in the normal or usual function of a person, family, group or community.protect vulnerable social service usersprotect vulnerable social service usersIntervene to provide physical, moral and psychological support to people in dangerous or difficult situations and to remove to a place of safety where appropriate.contribute to protecting individuals from harmcontribute to protecting individuals from harmUse established processes and procedures to challenge and report dangerous, abusive, discriminatory or exploitative behaviour and practice, bringing any such behaviour to the attention of the employer...develop professional identity in social workdevelop professional identity in social workStrive to provide the appropriate services to social work clients while staying within a professional framework, understanding what the work means in relation to other professionals and taking into ac...provide support to social services usersprovide support to social services usersHelp social service users identify and express their expectations and strengths, providing them with information and advice to make informed decisions about their circumstances. Give support to achiev...deliver social services in diverse cultural communitiesdeliver social services in diverse cultural communitiesDeliver services which are mindful of different cultural and language traditions, showing respect and validation for communities and being consistent with policies regarding human rights and equality ...conduct interview in social serviceconduct interview in social serviceInduce clients, colleagues, executives, or public officials to talk fully, freely, and truthfully, so as to explore the interviewee`s experiences, attitudes, and opinions.demonstrate leadership in social service casesdemonstrate leadership in social service casesTake the lead in the practical handling of social work cases and activities.communicate professionally with colleagues in other fieldscommunicate professionally with colleagues in other fieldsCommunicate professionally and cooperate with members of the other professions in the health and social services sector.follow health and safety precautions in social care practicesfollow health and safety precautions in social care practicesEnsure hygienic work practice, respecting the safety of the environment at day care, residential care settings and care at home.plan social service processplan social service processPlan the social service process, defining the objective and considering the methods of implementation, identifying and accessing available resources, such as time, budget, personnel and defining indic...promote social changepromote social changePromote changes in relationships between individuals, families, groups, organisations and communities by taking into consideration and coping with unpredictable changes, at the micro, macro and mezzo ...advocate for social service usersadvocate for social service usersSpeak for and on behalf of service users, using communicative skills and knowledge of relevant fields to assist those less advantaged.support traumatised childrensupport traumatised childrenSupport children who have experienced trauma, identifying their needs and working in ways that promote their rights, inclusion and well being.prevent social problemsprevent social problemsPrevent social problems from developing, defining and implementing actions that can prevent social problems, striving for the enhancement of the quality of life for all citizens.negotiate with social service usersnegotiate with social service usersDiscuss with your client to establish fair conditions, building on a bond of trust, reminding the client that the work is in their favour and encouraging their cooperation.promote service users' rightspromote service users' rightsSupporting client`s rights to control his or her life, making informed choices about the services they receive, respecting and, where appropriate, promoting the individual views and wishes of both the...apply person-centred careapply person-centred careTreat individuals as partners in planning, developing and assessing care, to make sure it is appropriate for their needs. Put them and their caregivers at the heart of all decisions.identify mental health issuesidentify mental health issuesRecognise and critically evaluate any possible mental health/illness issues.assess social service users' situationassess social service users' situationAssess the social situation of service users situation balancing curiosity and respect in the dialogue, considering their families, organisations and communities and the associated risks and identifyi...advise on mental healthadvise on mental healthAdvise persons of all ages and groups in terms of the health-promoting aspects of individual behaviour and institutions with regard to the personal, social and structural factors on physical and menta...relate empatheticallyrelate empatheticallyRecognise, understand and share emotions and insights experienced by another.comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...manage social crisismanage social crisisIdentify, respond and motivate individuals in social crisis situations, in a timely manner, making use of all resources.manage ethical issues within social servicesmanage ethical issues within social servicesApply social work ethical principles to guide practice and manage complex ethical issues, dilemmas and conflicts in accordance to occupational conduct, the ontology and the code of ethics of the socia...review social service planreview social service planReview social service plans, taking your service users' views and preferences into account. Follow up on the plan, assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.apply decision making within social workapply decision making within social workTake decisions when called for, staying within the limits of granted authority and considering the input from the service user and other caregivers.adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.apply holistic approach within social servicesapply holistic approach within social servicesConsider the social service user in any situation, recognising the connections between micro-dimension, meso-dimension, and macro-dimension of social problems, social development and social policies.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.address problems criticallyaddress problems criticallyIdentify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and a...apply socially just working principlesapply socially just working principlesWork in accordance with management and organisational principles and values focusing on human rights and social justice.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...maintain records of work with service usersmaintain records of work with service usersMaintain accurate, concise, up-to-date and timely records of the work with service users while complying with legislation and policies related to privacy and security.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...negotiate with social service stakeholdersnegotiate with social service stakeholdersNegotiate with government institutions, other social workers, family and caregivers, employers, landlords, or landladies to obtain the most suitable result for your client.promote mental healthpromote mental healthPromote factors that enhance emotional well-being such as self-acceptance, personal growth, purpose in life, control of one`s environment, spirituality, self-direction and positive relationships.report on social developmentreport on social developmentReport results and conclusions on society's social development in an intelligible way, presenting these orally and in written form to a range of audiences from non-experts to experts.undertake continuous professional development in social workundertake continuous professional development in social workUndertake continuous professional development (CPD) to continuously update and develop knowledge, skills and competences within one`s scope of practice in social work.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.tolerate stresstolerate stressMaintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.refer social service usersrefer social service usersMake referrals to other professionals and other organisations, based on the social service users' requirements and needs.organise social work packagesorganise social work packagesCreate a package of social support services according to the service user`s needs and in line with specified standards, regulations and timescales.communicate with social service userscommunicate with social service usersUse verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic communication. Pay attention to the specific social service users' needs, characteristics, abilities, preferences, age, developmental stage, and culture...consider social impact of actions on service usersconsider social impact of actions on service usersAct according to the political, social and cultural contexts of social service users, considering the impact of certain actions on their social well being.cooperate at inter-professional levelcooperate at inter-professional levelCooperate with people in other sectors in relation to social service work.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.manage stress in the work placemanage stress in the work placeCope with sources of stress and cross-pressure in one's own professional life, such as occupational, managerial, institutional and personal stress, and help others do the same so as to promote the wel...build helping relationship with social service usersbuild helping relationship with social service usersDevelop a collaborative helping relationship, addressing any ruptures or strains in the relationship, fostering bonding and gaining service users` trust and cooperation through empathic listening, car...
Optional (7) — show
adolescent psychological developmentadolescent psychological developmentThe developments needs of children and young persons, their behaviour and the attachment relationships and the possible signs of developmental delay.support social service users at the end of lifesupport social service users at the end of lifeSupport individuals to prepare for the end of life and to plan the care and support they wish to receive through the process of dying, providing care and support as death approaches and carrying out a...assess the development of youthassess the development of youthEvaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.support the positiveness of youthssupport the positiveness of youthsHelp children and young people to assess their social, emotional and identity needs and to develop a positive self image, enhance their self esteem and improve their self reliance.work with patterns of psychological behaviourwork with patterns of psychological behaviourWork with the patterns of a patient or client's psychological behaviour, which may be outside of their conscious awareness, such as non-verbal and pre-verbal patterns, clinical processes of defence me...promote the safeguarding of young peoplepromote the safeguarding of young peopleUnderstand safeguarding and what should be done in cases of actual or potential harm or abuse.support children's wellbeingsupport children's wellbeingProvide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
mental health social worker64 shared essential skillshospital social worker63 shared essential skillsmilitary welfare worker62 shared essential skillspalliative care social worker62 shared essential skillschild care social worker60 shared essential skillscrisis situation social worker60 shared essential skillsfamily social worker60 shared essential skillsbenefits advice worker59 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a clinical social worker do?
Clinical social workers provide therapy, counselling, and intervention services to clients. They treat clients with personal struggles, namely mental illness, addiction, and abuse, advocating for them and helping them gain access to the necessary resources. They also focus on the impact of medical and public health issues within social aspects.
What skills does a clinical social worker need?
A clinical social worker needs 67 essential skills, including social work theory, legal requirements in the social sector, social sciences, clinical social work, health care system.
Will AI replace clinical social worker jobs?
The AI disruption score for clinical social worker is 8/100 (very low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: company policies, report on social development, maintain records of work with service users. Most resilient: protect vulnerable social service users, tolerate stress, contribute to protecting individuals from harm.
AI Replacement Risk
8/ 100
Very Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupLegal, social and cultural professionals
Essential Skills67
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