69-Social work associate professionals

Job Title: 

Social work associate professionals

Job Description: 

Assist in providing advice, advocacy and support to people with personal and social problems, and helping with community and social issues.

Summary: 

Social work associate or paraprofessionals assist in administering and implementing social assistance programs and community services and assist clients to deal with personal and social problems. Social workers are generally considered those who hold a professional or paraprofessional qualification in social work. In a number of countries and jurisdictions, registration or licensure of people working as social workers is required and there are mandated qualifications. In other places, professional associations set academic and experiential requirements for admission to membership. Includes Single Subject Design (SSD), Social systems and social change. The field of community practice social work encompasses community organizing, social planning, and human service management. Maybe required to be licensed, registered or certified to be permitted to work by a government authority, agency or approved certifying body.

Tasks: 

Job activities and tasks include:

  • collecting information relevant to clients? needs and assessing their relevant skills, strengths and deficits
  • helping persons with disabilities or the elderly to obtain services and to improve their ability to function in society
  • assisting clients to identify options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance
  • assisting clients to identify and access community resources including legal, medical and financial assistance, housing, employment, transportation, assistance with moves, day care and other referral services
  • counselling clients living in group homes and half-way houses, supervising their activities and assisting in pre-release and release planning
  • participating in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs
  • providing crisis intervention and emergency shelter services
  • implementing life skills workshops, substance abuse treatment programs, behaviourmanagement programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social work or health care professionals
  • assisting in evaluating the effectiveness of interventions and programs by monitoring and reporting on clients? progress
  • maintaining contact with other social service agencies, schools and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients? overall situation and progress
Knowledge: 

Specialist knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques in field of work and/or discipline

  • Higher knowledge of analyzing, planning, organizing and establishing policies, strategies, projections and/or conditions in the field of work and/or discipline
  • Broad knowledge of research principles and methods
  • Broad knowledge of high level governance of systems, processes and procedures including legislative, regulatory, standards, codes and conventions
  • Knowledge of recent developments in the field of work and/or discipline
  • Knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques in management, economics, finance, statistics and fiscal disciplines related to the field of work
  • Knowledge of political, government, legislative and regulatory systems related to the field of work
  • Knowledge of laws, regulations, standards codes and conventions of the UAE and specific Emirates related to the field of work and/or discipline and more general subjects including OHSE and cultural understanding and awareness
  • Knowledge of principles, concepts and techniques in sensitively responding to and observing complex ethical issues
  • Effect information technology, management information systems, management techniques and tools for optimal field of work performance
  • Skills in research, analysis, consultation and synthesis of information to evaluate policies, strategies, projections and/or conditions and develop suggestions and/or relevant options
  • Manage broad level relationships and coordinate related activities of respective stakeholders
  • Broad skills and experience in policy analysis, formulation and research, in a sensitive and confidential environment
  • Produce concepts and convey suggestions from the spectrum of development experience
  • Negotiation cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills
  • Use of information, tools, resources to support complex work achievement
  • Work sensitively and effectively in a multi-cultural environment
  • Work with others to develop solutions to complex problems
  • Communicate with effect, and a proven record of developing and maintaining active partnerships across an organization and with diverse external clients and other key stakeholders
  • Developed higher oral and written communication, interpersonal and representational skills, and a proven ability to use these skills to prepare and present clear, concise, high quality advice
  • Well developed leadership and effective organizational skills, with capacity to organize and sustain improvements within a team environment, as well as the ability to work flexibly and cooperatively as a member of a team
  • Personal drive and integrity, the ability to self-manage and the capacity to identify and control risks associated with change, as well comply with ethical standards
  • Achieving results within tight timelines, and capacity to implement new policy directions
  • Highly developed organizational skills, including the ability to organize priorities and meet tight deadlines
    • Work Context: 

    Usually work in institutes, foundations, schools, hospitals, homes, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and in the community. They may also work in hospices, community and residential centres and the courts. Typically, they visit people in their locations, centres or homes. In regional areas they may travel long distances. The work can often be very stressful, as they may deal with challenging and highly distressed patients or clients. In some instances may deal with people who face life-threatening situations, such as criminal activity or substance abuse. They can interact with doctors, nurses and hospice workers to provide the services needed. May be employed by hospitals to assist professional social workers. They may also be employed in private practice, research or teaching by relevant professional social work practices.

    Education: 

    Diploma/Associate degree in social work or related field of work/discipline, higher qualification or equivalent. In some instances may require individuals to work towards a Bachelor degree in social work, Masters in Social Work (MSW) or Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or DSW).

    Required Work Experience: 

    4 - 6 Years and above

    Probable Employers: 

    Family Development Foundation, Khalifa Fund, Marriage Fund, Ministry of Social Affairs, federal or local hospitals or community health and support centres, Ministry of Social Affairs

    Occupational Size: 
    Less than 5,000
    Expected Earnings: 

    Above the industry average

    Projected Growth: 
    Excellent
    Alternate Titles: 

    Examples of job titles:
    Community development worker - Community service worker - Crisis intervention worker - Disability services worker - Family services worker - Life skills instructor - Mental health support worker - Welfare support worker - Women?s shelter supervisor - Youth services worker
    Examples of some related occupations:
    Marriage counsellor - Parole officer - Probation officer - Social worker - Care and protection social worker - Clinical social worker - Community social worker - Cultural services social worker - Social services social worker - Youth justice social worker

    UAE Industry Groups: 
    Community, health and social services
    International Careers(ISCO): 
    Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
    Source Of Info: 
    Occupations and Careers Handbook for UAE Nationals(Copyright NQA ). Referenced from New York University, Abu Dhabhi