Behind every moment of stability, there’s likely a social worker who helped make it possible. But what do social workers actually do day to day?

Social workers provide support during some of life’s most challenging moments. When children need stability, when families are searching for resources and when the path forward feels uncertain. With compassion and skill, they help people solve complex challenges and safely move forward.

At KVC Health Systems, our social workers walk alongside children, adults and families, offering guidance and a steady presence every day.

In recognition of National Social Work Month, we’re taking a closer look at the profession and sharing 10 surprising things you may not know about social workers. Plus, see how their impact lasts far beyond a single moment.

Interested in feeling the joy and purpose that come from helping others? Check out KVC social work careers.

What Do Social Workers Really Do? Ten Things That Might Surprise You

1. Social Workers Do More Than Just Help People

Helping others is at the heart of social work, but the role goes far beyond that. Social workers connect people to resources, navigate complex systems and help solve problems that don’t have simple answers. They also provide mental health treatment like therapy, strengthen relationships and help break cycles of trauma to creating healthier families and communities over time.

2.They Are Driven by Outcome, Not Income

Many social workers choose this field because they want to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Their work is grounded in purpose and impact. And while that purpose is powerful, it’s equally important that they are supported with competitive pay, strong benefits and ongoing training.

At KVC, we’re committed to investing in the people who do this work every day and creating a culture where they feel supported. That commitment is reflected in our team’s feedback on Indeed, earning KVC an 83 Work Wellbeing Score on Indeed and placing us among the top 1% of employers nationwide.

3. Social Workers Do Not Remove Children From Their Homes

Many people believe social workers remove children from their families and place them in foster care. In reality, state agencies investigate reports of abuse and neglect, and the court system determines what is safest for the child, with a judge making the final decision. Social workers offer professional insight and advocate for safety, but their work is centered on what happens next.

When children enter foster care, social workers ensure they are safe, heard and cared for. They also partner with families to rebuild stability, strengthen connection and help them reunify as soon as safely possible.

4. Social workers contribute at all levels of society

Social workers support individuals and families but their impact doesn’t stop there. They work in schools, hospitals, nonprofits, corporations, insurance companies, government agencies and communities across the country. They also advocate for policies and systems that improve outcomes for children and families on a larger scale.

5. Social Workers Provide a Majority of America’s Mental Health Services

When someone reaches out for help, a social worker is often the one who answers. Social workers provide a majority of mental health services in the United States, especially in rural communities where access to care is limited. In fact, more than 200,000 clinically trained social workers provide mental health treatment, outnumbering psychiatrists, psychologists and psychiatric nurses combined.

6. The Job is Not a Typical 8-Hour Workday 

There is no typical day for a social worker. Social work professionals spend most of their time out in the community rather than in an office. Their schedule often consists of attending court hearings, meeting with clients, supervising visits, completing training and advocating for their clients’ needs.

7. Social Workers Have to Make Hard Decisions

Making decisions that impact people’s lives is a huge responsibility for social workers. Above all, safety is the number one driver of those decisions. Most collaborate with families, fellow staff members and other stakeholders to explore all possibilities and make well-informed decisions.

At KVC, our team uses a framework called Safe & Connected™, which provides a structured process to make decisions with and for the children and families served by the child welfare, juvenile justice and related systems.

8. Self-Care Is An Important Part of the Job

Social work is deeply meaningful, but it can also be emotionally demanding. That’s why self-care is essential—not just for wellbeing, but for preventing burnout too. Practices like setting boundaries, taking time to recharge, seeking support from peers and supervisors and prioritizing mental health all help social workers manage stress and stay grounded in their work.

At KVC, we encourage these practices so our team can continue supporting children and families in a healthy, sustainable way. Explore practical self-care strategies that help social workers prevent burnout and stay grounded in their work.

9. There Are Male Social Workers 

Men make up about 18% of social workers in the United States and bring perspectives that are often underrepresented. For some children and families, working with a male social worker can make it easier to open up and build trust.

For example, a teen boy in foster care named Zion rarely spoke during home visits. He kept his answers short and avoided eye contact with his worker, unsure of who he could trust. After being paired with a male social worker, that slowly began to change.

Over time, he started sharing more about what he was going through. He asked questions and engaged in conversations he once avoided. That connection helped him feel understood and gave him the confidence to accept help. Strong, diverse teams connect with people in more meaningful ways and ultimately provide better, more personal support.

Dr. Abyssinia Washington Tabron, Vice President of Clinical Engagement

“Diversity within social work ensures that we are ready and able to communicate and engage with children and families in ways that help them feel seen, heard and supported” said Dr. Abyssinia Washington Tabron, Vice President of Clinical Engagement.

10. The U.S. Needs More Social Workers

The demand for mental/behavioral health and substance use treatment is increasing in the midst of a well-documented national social worker shortage. About 74,000 openings are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. More experienced social workers are needed to meet the urgent needs of our communities!

Social Work Careers

Social workers change lives every day when they help children feel safe, support families through uncertainty and create stronger, more connected communities.  If you’re looking for work that is both challenging and deeply meaningful, a career in social work may be the right path for you.

At KVC, we’re proud of the culture we’ve built to support our team. Feedback shared through employee Glassdoor reviews helped KVC earn recognition as the #15 Best-Led Company in the United States. When our team feels valued and connected, that carries through to the children and families we serve.

Explore social work careers at KVC to change lives every day.