Foster care social workers work one on one with vulnerable children and families to provide the best living situations possible. In doing so, they can give foster children the resources, services, and dignity they deserve. Understanding how to become a foster care social worker is an ongoing process with changing policies and practices, so you have many responsibilities and skills to learn if you're considering foster care social work employment.Foster Care Social Worker Foster care social workers work one on one with vulnerable children and families to provide the best living situations possible. In doing so, they can give foster children the resources, services, and dignity they deserve. Understanding how to become a foster care social worker is an ongoing process with changing policies and practices, so you have many responsibilities and skills to learn if you're considering foster care social work employment. Understanding the Unique Challenges of Children in Foster Homes Children in the foster care system are significantly more likely to experience mental health and development issues. First, children who are separated from their parents may suffer from anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and a lack of motivation. These symptoms will likely worsen as they adjust to their new living situation. This process can also bring up new emotions, behaviors, and motives for children. For example, a child who feels abandoned by their parents may lose confidence, feeling like they aren't good enough. On the other hand, a teenager working through traumatic emotions may lash out at their foster family in ways they had never acted before. About 24,000 individuals transition out of foster care every year without finding a permanent family. Many of these individuals go on to live fulfilling, independent lives. However, they are significantly more likely to face poverty, health problems, incarceration, and other systemic issues, so matching foster children with the right families doesn't just define their childhood — it can define their lives. What Is a Foster Care Social Worker? A social worker manages and coordinates many steps in a foster child's case. Like child welfare social workers, they usually meet with children to evaluate their needs and identify the best foster parents. Beyond arranging new homes, a foster care social worker's responsibilities also include allocating resources, changing discriminatory policies, and finding counselors.