By Ashley Argese, Assistant Vice President of Communications at Cayuga Centers
Many people are drawn to social work because of the meaningful impact it can have on the lives of local children and families. The job comes with daily adventures and challenges that go far beyond what’s listed in a typical social worker job description.
If you want to understand what social workers do on a daily basis, you have to look beyond the paperwork and titles to the real situations they navigate each day.
A key part of a social worker’s job is meeting with families from various backgrounds. This often happens in unfamiliar neighborhoods, in the private spaces of their homes.
For licensed clinical social workers, these therapeutic family interventions are critical to the success of cases. But if you’re new to the field, entering family homes can feel overwhelming. That’s why field safety is an essential part of social work practice.
Safety planning starts from the referral
What is involved in being a social worker committed to safety? We asked our family social workers at Cayuga Centers for some advice on safety precautions. A common theme that emerged was that safety planning starts well before you even get in the car to head to a home visit.
Referrals often come to the agency from busy county case workers. They are juggling many cases, and referral information might be missing some key details. This can create an incomplete picture of a family and their situation.
The best approach is to assume there are gaps in the information, take time to do some prep work, and have the necessary conversations to fill in those blanks.
First, review the content of the referral and make a list of outstanding questions. Then, contact the case worker or referral source to get more information. They may have more recent information than what the referral states.
It’s also important to consider the location of the referral. You might not be familiar with the neighborhood, and if you learn that an incident occurred there recently, it may be wise to reschedule the visit or plan to approach the session with an added focus on safety.
Information to gather before a family home visit
It’s important to understand that the needs of families can change very quickly – even within 24 hours. From the moment you receive the referral to the time you are ready to enter the home, it’s essential to contact the family and ask for any last-minute updates to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including yourself. Here are some questions to consider.
1. What is the current situation in the home?
You will want to ask if there have been any recent mental health episodes, family violence, drug or alcohol use, restraining orders, etc. Pay attention to if the caller seems agitated or if they are slurring their speech.
Are there any other safety concerns? Are there any weapons in the home?
This information helps you plan for home safety. Even when it appears that the situation might be clear, don’t let your guard down. Always assume that you can still encounter any of these risks during a session.
2. What do you need to know about your surroundings?
Ask the family how to best access their place of residence. Where is the best place to park? Is there a gate you need to enter? Does the doorbell work?
If there are multiple apartments, what floor/section is their apartment? Are there stairs?
If there are pets in the home, can they be locked away during your session? This information informs you about what to expect and what safety precautions should be taken.
When possible, check out the neighborhood before your session. Circle the location when you arrive to survey any possible risks. Knowing where you are going reduces distractions during your session. It also allows you to walk into the home with confidence, reducing the risk of being a target in a neighborhood.
3. Who will be at the session?
It’s not unusual for unexpected people to show up to a session. This could include an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend, friends, local kids, or a nosy neighbor. Confirm who will be at the session as close to arrival as possible to make sure you are prepared to provide the best session possible.
Jessica Whitwood, Executive Vice President of Home and Community-Based Treatment and Support and a licensed creative arts therapist with over 20 years of experience, shares a memorable experience from a home visit.
“I joined a clinician to support them with a home visit for a family with a history of domestic violence. We arrived at the case address and went up a narrow staircase to reach their second-story apartment. The layout didn’t provide much room to navigate the situation, as it was strictly a door at the top of the stairs. We knocked, and the door swung open without anyone being in sight. We paused to take in the surroundings. The door appeared to be open to the wall, and nothing seemed out of order. We called out the client’s name, and she appeared from the back of the apartment, asking us to come in. As we step into the apartment, the door closes behind us. Her husband had himself wedged in a very narrow space between the wall and the door. Even with the doorway appearing clear upon entry, the low light and dark clothing he was wearing hindered the assessment. He was blocking the only exit, and we had to assume it was to intimidate us. It’s important to have an exit strategy at all times, and we needed to think quickly. Through engaging the couple, we were able to get him to naturally shift positioning, which gained us access to the exit. Considering the impossible is important when visiting homes in the community. Being one step ahead is always best practice, but thinking on your feet and constantly surveying your surroundings is the next best line of defense.”
Physical safety tips for social workers
Social workers must pay attention to safety in every detail. This includes where they park, how they position themselves in a home, and what they wear. Every decision of a child welfare social worker plays a role in staying safe on the job.
When you park your car, make sure that you won’t be easily blocked in. Park on the street facing the direction of departure instead of in a driveway. You should always have an easy way out in case of an emergency.
When inside a home, know where the exits are and position yourself so that no one can approach you from behind and somewhere you can make a swift exit if necessary.
When considering what to wear to a session, dress professionally but comfortably. As a child social worker, you may be sitting on the ground engaging children in a play session. Be sure your shoes and outfit allow free movement in case you need to leave quickly.
Keep in mind that you’re working with vulnerable populations, each living in different environments with varying levels of cleanliness and types of furnishings. In some cases, families may be living in poor conditions through no fault of their own—often due to neglectful landlords who refuse to make necessary repairs.
When in doubt, trust your gut. If something feels off, terminate the visit and leave. You can contact the client afterwards and finish over the phone or reschedule.
Staying connected with families
Let the family you’re visiting know what time to expect you. Tell your supervisor who you are visiting, what time the visit is occurring and when you plan to return. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.
Many agencies use buddy systems for home visits. This person may accompany you to a visit or just be responsible for knowing where you are during the day. Let your buddy know how long you expect to be at a session and if you don’t respond by a certain time, have them check in or call for backup.
Using conversational language to build relationships
Approaching families and case workers with honesty and transparency can lead to important knowledge sharing.
Families often don’t want social workers in their homes. They may worry that the situation will just get worse. When you first start to engage with them, you may get blunt answers that don’t tell the whole story. Using a warm, conversational tone helps families feel more comfortable and can lead to deeper, more honest conversations.
Simple questions like how their day is going or asking about their kids or pets show genuine care—and that human connection can make a big difference.
“We wouldn’t be doing this topic any justice if we didn’t highlight the fact that when we engage with families and we build those relationships, that is a safety barrier for us as clinicians pushing into these homes.” Jessica shares. “There are so many different layers that we can uncover just by building that relationship. So, taking that time, fostering that conversation, and seeing how much we can pull out of it is key.”
What experience can teach us (that no manual can)
The code of ethics as a social worker guides you on what professional conduct standards you should be meeting. However, experience is the best teacher. As you start entering families’ homes more frequently, you will get more attuned to what you need to pay attention to.
In your initial calls with a family, you may start to notice that they seem to be hiding something based on noises in the background or if they sound like they are being coached.
You may get inside a home and see signs of relationship violence or warning signs of abuse. Family dynamics are complicated, and you never know if there’s a controlling husband, wife, or family member who doesn’t want you there.
The life of a social worker is not easy, but taking steps to ensure workplace safety is essential to meeting family therapy treatment goals. When you feel safe, you feel empowered and can take the time to work with families and better their future outcomes. Remember, planning is protection for everyone.
If you’re looking for more information on social work roles or how to become a social worker, visit cayugacenters.org/careers.
