STUDYING TO BECOME A SOCIAL WORKER

Social workers dedicate their lives to helping communities in need. Here is how you can become a social worker in Malaysia. 

Social work is a field that applies social and psychological theories to understand the problems people face in order to help them. Social workers are trained to support individuals and families who face difficult times and to protect them from harm.

What Qualifications Are Needed? 

Both school leavers and working adults who are interested in becoming social workers can sign up for a Diploma in Social Work. The three-year programme will teach students theories and research in social work, sociology and psychology. The programme also integrates practice and procedural knowledge on social issues such as child and family welfare, mental health, drug and alcohol addictions, domestic violence and disabilities. Some of the subjects in the diploma programme are Social Problems and Social Needs, Psychology for Social Workers as well as Interpersonal and Counselling Skills. In addition, it is necessary for students to apply their skills by doing field placements and gain work experience. Once granted the diploma qualification, students can start looking for employment or enrol in a Degree in Social Work. 

What Does a Social Worker Do?   

Social workers split their time between the office and visiting their clients. They carry out interviews with individuals and families to assess their situation and offer as much information and support as they can. They are responsible for giving recommendations and advice to their clients on the best course of action depending on their situation. Social workers will communicate and make referrals to other agencies to provide suitable assistance to their clients. Next, social workers need to prepare reports and accurate records of their visits. They also curate support packages for their clients which contain a list of tasks that a social worker can help with on a weekly basis. In addition, social workers attend meetings with colleagues within their organisation and also other organisations to discuss the latest updates on social issues. 

Where are Social Workers Employed?

Social workers often find employment in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government agencies and other organisations that support a variety of causes. They can specialise in social welfare, social care, social rehabilitation, residential or custodial care, health and mental health, and child and family welfare. The communities that rely on social workers are the elderly, individuals with learning and physical disabilities, juvenile offenders, people with mental illnesses, drug and alcohol abusers, the homeless and victims of domestic violence. Social workers can also help minority populations such as the indigenous community and refugee children. Experienced social workers can be promoted to management roles or pursue academia. 

What are the Skills Needed? 

Social work is an emotionally demanding field as social workers address difficult issues and meet at-risk individuals daily. Therefore, social workers need to be resilient, patient, empathetic and compassionate people. Social workers require strong communication skills in the areas of listening, speaking and writing to effectively communicate their clients’ issues and needs. They need to be able to handle complex situations and provide realistic solutions to their clients’ problems. Other useful skills are good observation skills, capacity to absorb legal and procedural information, ability to negotiate and good organisation skills. 

Social work is an incredibly important profession that provides much needed support to the increasing number of people experiencing psychosocial issues, crises and pressures that arise from modern living.