BC Children's

Social workers are available to families coming to the outpatient clinics and to those who have a child in the hospital. A social worker is part of your child’s health care team at the hospital. Social workers have the skills, understanding and experience to help families deal with a child who has a medical or mental health condition.

A child’s medical or mental health condition can cause a great deal of family stress. The child, as well as other family members, can sometimes have fears and worries which affect relationships and the ability to carry out daily responsibilities. Family members and caregivers may have to adjust to changes in routine and extra financial needs.

Some of the ways a social worker can help

Support during periods of crisis

Social workers work on teams which deal with short term hospitalizations and provide crisis counseling but can also refer to community counselling as needed.

Provide one-on-one counseling for child or teen. and counseling for parents and family members

Meeting with the social worker is an opportunity for families to discuss concerns about their child, as well as personal and family stress. Medical and mental health conditions can impact a whole family’s functioning. The social worker can help shed light on issues, work through difficult decisions and plan solutions .When an illness results in a loss, family members experience a range of difficult feelings. Some illnesses are life threatening. However, there are many types of other losses associated with a medical or mental health condition. The social workers can help families begin to cope with the loss through individual, family and group counselling. Additionally the social worker is aware of community resources that may assist the family in coping with their grief and loss.

Facilitate family support groups

Social workers lead, or know about, many support groups where family members meet and share with others experiencing similar concerns.

Help find community resources, whether it is for financial, home support or other community supports

This can take many forms such as: needing a place to stay while a child is receiving treatment, needing financial assistance with practical needs, navigating the hospital or health care system, sorting out how to get community services.

Advocate for child and family during hospitalization as well as well as in the community

A social worker can be an advocate and help get the services to meet family’s practical needs as well as help to navigate the health care as well as the community support system.

Referral Process:

• A social worker may come and meet with child and family as part of child’s routine care.
• Referral to a social worker by a doctor, nurse or other health care professional.
• Child or family member can request to meet with social worker or contact the social work office.