National Study of Licensed Social Workers (2004)
NASW conducted a benchmark national survey of licensed social workers in 2004. Licensed social workers were selected for the sample because they represent front-line practitioners, and because state licensing lists provided a vehicle for reaching practitioners who may not have had any other identifiable professional affiliation.
This report presents a variety of facts and figures about licensed social workers in the U.S. The findings and conclusions are based primarily on the responses to a survey of a stratified random sample of approximately 10,000 licensed social workers in the U.S. conducted in 2004. The report also provides several recommendations for improving the status and conditions of the social work profession.
This national study provides baseline data that can guide policy and planning to assure an appropriately trained social work workforce will be in place to meet the current and future needs of older adults.
The study examines:
- Demographic characteristics of professional social workers;
- Practice setting and work locations;
- Activities and tasks performed by social workers;
- Education and training, both initial and continuing, including assessments of adequacy;
- Current compensation and benefits;
- Attitudes of social workers about their profession and their work;
- Perceptions about the job market for social workers.
The financial support of The Atlantic Philanthropies, John A. Hartford Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is gratefully acknowledged.