Adoption social workers help children find supportive homes with adoptive parents.
Social workers who place and prepare children for adoption are known by several titles: adoption social workers, adoption specialists, or adoption consultants. In addition to placement and counseling, these workers monitor placements, recruit families, facilitate visits, and provide post-adoption services. In states with open adoptions, the workers sometimes provide services for the triad (birth parents, adoptee, and adoptive family). Licensure and certification for adoption workers vary from state to state.
Instructions
1. Contact a licensed adoption agency in your state to determine entry level requirements to become an adoption worker. The agency can be public or private, but should be licensed. Requirements vary from state to state. Some states require a master's degree, while a bachelor's degree is acceptable in other states for some entry-level positions, such as an adoption worker.
2. Most adoption agencies require a college degree, so you should first earn a bachelor's degree in social work. A degree in sociology, psychology, or a related subject is acceptable for entry-level positions. Although you do not need to have a social work or counseling degree, taking courses in these subjects will enhance your resume and ability to obtain an entry-level job as an adoption worker.
3. Work or volunteer with a social service agency to help get your foot in the door. Some agencies prefer to hire adoption workers who have experience with social services agencies, whether the experience was gained in the child-protective, treatment, or foster-care program of an agency. Many adoption agencies will hire at entry-level positions if you previously worked with children in the school system, in a residential or group home facility, or as a mental-health counselor.
4. Check the job board or agency's website frequently for new job positions. Many agencies use their websites to post job positions and to accept job applications.To perform the duties of an adoption worker, regardless of the state, you must meet the statutory requirements of that state. For example, in South Carolina, you must be certified as a Certified Adoption Investigator. The expenses for certification or licensure will vary from state to state, as well. In some states, these fees are paid by the agency that employs you. If you are an independant adoption consultant, you usually incur these costs.
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