Social work is a field devoted to helping individuals address challenges in their day-to-day lives. The principles of social work can be applied in a wide range of social contexts, including within the legal system. The role of the forensic social worker is to use the skills and resources of the social work profession to answer questions raised in criminal or civil legal cases, which may involve providing services to victims, their family members, or defendants who are involved in litigation.
Forensic social work can be a richly rewarding profession for anyone who thrives in interpersonal contexts and has a passion for justice and advocacy. A good way to prepare for a long-lasting career as a forensic social worker is to pursue an advanced degree in a relevant field.
What Does a Forensic Social Worker Do?
Forensic social workers are called upon to help individuals involved in legal cases that can include the termination of parental rights, juvenile and adult justice services, corrections, and mandated treatment. They fight against oppression that is exhibited through exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, violence, criminalization, and cultural dominance or imperialism.
Forensic social workers assist individuals of all ages, in cases that involve child custody, juvenile arrests, child maltreatment, elder abuse, divorce, civil disputes, criminal offenses, and imprisonment. The wide reach of forensic social workers means they interact with professionals working in health care, education, and immigration.
Forensic Social Worker Job Description
While the duties and responsibilities of forensic social workers can vary from one position to the next, they can include any of the following:
- Providing the criminal and juvenile justice populations with mental health diagnoses, treatments, and recommendations
- Assisting with the screening, evaluation, and training of law enforcement and other criminal justice personnel
- Diagnosing, treating, and making recommendations about the mental status, incapacities, and best interests of minors, and determining witnesses’ ability to testify
- Providing psychosocial counseling, group counseling, and mediation services
- Serving as an expert witness, and providing court testimony that demonstrates a deep understanding of the law — especially when facing critical review and rebuttal from the opposing counsel
Forensic social workers must understand the legal environment intimately, since they may need to provide consultation, education, or training to lawmakers, law enforcement personnel, criminal justice and correctional system staff, attorneys, paralegals, law students, and members of the public.
Forensic social workers’ other responsibilities may include developing policies and programs; conducting behavioral science research and analysis; and providing professional opinions regarding mediation, advocacy, and arbitration.
Where Do Forensic Social Workers Work?
Social workers in this discipline are employed across a wide variety of settings such as court systems, mental health agencies, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, hospitals, child and family agencies, prisons, and faith-based institutions.
How to Become a Forensic Social Worker
To achieve success in this profession, it is critical to pursue the right education, to gain licensure, and to develop the skills necessary to effectively interact with attorneys and advocate for clients.
Education and Licensing
Obtaining a job in forensic social work will require at least a Master of Science in Social Work (MSW). An MSW with a concentration in forensic social work will include classes that cover mental health symptoms and diagnosis as well as the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
Upon earning an MSW, graduates need to follow their state’s requirements to become licensed as a social worker. After gaining some social work career experience, forensic social workers may choose to obtain a certification, such as the National Association of Social Workers’ advanced Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) credential.
Essential Skills
Through pursuing the appropriate education and licensing requirements, aspiring social workers can cultivate the right portfolio of skills. Some of the competencies most necessary in this role are:
- Psychosocial assessment skills
- Familiarity with mental health principles
- Familiarity with legal principles
- Crisis intervention skills
- Knowledge of community resources
- Clear communication skills
What Is the Forensic Social Worker Salary and Job Outlook?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2023, the annual median salary for all social workers is $58,380 A number of factors can affect a social worker’s specific salary, including their years of experience, level of education, and geographic location.
The BLS reports that employment of social workers is projected to grow at a rate of 7 percent between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than the average growth projected for all professions.
Pursue a Path in Forensic Social Work
There is a significant need within the legal system for caring and empathetic professionals who are ready to assist those who have been victimized or accused of a crime. Forensic social work can be a rewarding path for those whose interests span mental health, community service, and criminal justice.
To prepare for success in this role, individuals need to pursue the right education. Tulane University’s Online Master of Social Work program provides students with the knowledge and skills they will need to work in a fast-paced legal setting ensuring the highest level of support for adults, children, and families. Find out more about the program and its benefits today.