Career opportunities for adoption social workers are available within government agencies and private organizations.
Adoption social workers have a strong desire to help improve people's lives. They are responsible for providing counsel to birthparents and prospective adoptive parents on the process of adopting. These social workers perform home studies of individuals who have applied to adopt a child. They help find a proper home for babies by understanding the problems and needs of a child and the experiences they may face. Career opportunities are available within government agencies and private organizations. According to Indeed.com, as of 2010, the average salary for an adoptive social worker is $47,000 per year.
Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum education requirement to become a social worker, many prospective adoptive social workers choose to complete a master of social work (MSW) to improve job possibilities, advancement opportunities and salary increases. Applicants to a MSW program must have a bachelor’s degree, and students in this program need to complete 60 credit hours. Full-time students can complete this program in two years, and the curriculum requires students to complete courses in human differences and social relationships, community and organizational structure, interpersonal practice with individuals and groups, social welfare policy and management organization and practice.
Experience
Prospective adoption social workers need to work in an internship with an adoptive social work agency. Internships provide individuals with the experience necessary to gain entry-level employment. While many interns perform low-level duties, such as making copies, filing records and performing clerical work, this is an opportunity to work and learn in a professional environment. Interns are able to see how the adoptive process works, learn communicate with expectant mothers, qualify prospective adoptive parents, observe the legal adoptive process and make connections regarding future employment opportunities.
Skills
Prospective adoption social workers need to be emotionally mature enough to work with teenage mothers or pregnant women who have experienced abuse. Individuals interested in this career must be sensitive to the emotions involved in giving up a baby for adoption and maintain objectivity when working with clients. Adoption social workers must be excellent judges of character in order to find parents for children and babies.
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