Home Study Social Worker - Tidewater, VA

About Paths for Families

Paths for Families is dedicated to adoption and family wellness, collaborating with communities to nurture and sustain families throughout their lives. For more than 35 years, we have supported expectant and birth parents, adoptive families, children seeking adoption, adopted individuals, and professionals in the field. Our mission emphasizes forming healthy lifelong connections for every child and enhancing systems that promote family well-being.

We uphold IDEAS Principles—Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Social Justice—as core organizational values, fostering an inclusive environment where all children, families, and staff are embraced freely, regardless of identity, background, or status.

Role Overview

The Home Study Social Worker evaluates prospective adoptive families to ensure they provide a secure and nurturing setting. Responsibilities include conducting interviews and home visits, performing background screenings, and compiling detailed reports to inform adoption decisions. Post-placement, the role involves supervising children in pre-adoptive homes to verify ongoing safety and appropriateness. This position is based in the Eastern/Tidewater region of Virginia.

Qualifications and Preferred Skills

• A master's degree in social work
• At least five years of professional experience in child welfare, adoption, or foster care
• Preferred understanding of trauma, attachment issues, and child welfare systems
• Strong interpersonal skills for effectively engaging with clients and staff
• Exceptional ability to write clear, objective reports
• Compassionate and supportive demeanor for assisting families during transitions and crises
• Highly organized with multitasking capability and problem-solving aptitude
• Independent and collaborative working skills
• Proficiency with case management platforms and Microsoft 365 applications

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments with prospective adoptive parents and interview relevant family members and professionals
• Perform home evaluations to assess safety and stability as per jurisdictional requirements
• Review and verify compliance with state, federal, and agency adoption policies and regulations
• Compile comprehensive home study reports incorporating social histories, financial details, and background checks, utilizing agency tools such as My Adoption Portal and Sharepoint
• Determine family eligibility against regulatory standards and consult on clinical concerns as needed
• Educate and support families throughout the adoption journey providing counseling and resources
• Collaborate with other agencies, courts, and professionals to ensure ethical and legal adherence
• Identify and evaluate any concerns affecting family suitability including financial, health, or trauma-related issues
• Perform additional related duties as assigned beyond those explicitly listed here

Additional Requirements

All employees must successfully complete and maintain a physical examination including TB screening, criminal background checks, Child Protective Services registry verification, and participate in orientation training.