The CaseworkerYour case worker, the child's case worker, the biological family's caseworker - it's all the same. One social worker is assigned a case when it goes through intake at social services. This person's job is tenfold. Some of the responsibilities of the caseworker include:1. Determine an appropriate placement for the child upon initial intake. Usually this placement will be with a foster home that provides emergency placement or with a foster family who does not want to adopt the children. Sometimes these homes have up to 6 and even more children placed with them at a time. Depending on the situation and the reason the child is being placed in foster care, the caseworker may choose to place the child in a fost-adopt situation. 2. Gather information about the biological family and develop a treatment plan based on the situation. Treatment plans can include anything down to clean UA's (Urine Analysis), parenting classes, therapy, etc. 3. Document all facts in the case. 4. Attend all court hearings for the case and make recommendations to the GAL based on what they feel is best for the child. 5. Schedule and attend all visits with the biological parent and the child, working with the foster family, the resource family team worker, and the case aide to organize pick up and delivery of the child to and from the visits. Visits are usually once to several times a week. Sometimes a child may visit twice a week separately with the biological mother and/or father, grandparents, or other important people in the child's life. 6. Monitor the child's progress throughout the entire process in order to make the most appropriate recommendations for the child's welfare. 7. Appear on the stand in any termination of rights hearing to present and support any and all findings to the judge relative to their decision to proceed with termination of parental right. Ultimately, it is the caseworker who makes the final recommendations about what they feel is best for the child - to return home or the be adopted. These are some serious consequences for all parties involved so the case worker must ensure they've covered all their bases. This is why you as a foster parent moving toward adoption will sometimes think your caseworker and the system is crazy and stupid. Read more information on this in the
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