Caseworkers

/ˈkeɪsˌwɝkɚz/ noun

Definition

Professional workers who investigate, manage, and provide services for individual cases, often in social services, welfare, or legal contexts.

Etymology

Plural of 'caseworker,' compound of 'case' and 'worker,' designating professionals who work case-by-case with clients or patients.

Kelly Says

Caseworkers are often on the frontline of social systems—they're the ones who actually know individual families and situations, yet they're frequently overworked and underpaid compared to administrators.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Caseworkers have been historically female-coded despite male presence; the field carries gendered wage gaps and devaluation typical of care professions.

Inclusive Usage

Use neutrally; avoid assumptions that caseworkers are female, and recognize this profession equally with male-dominated professional work.

Inclusive Alternatives

["client advocates","support specialists","care coordinators"]

Empowerment Note

Women caseworkers pioneered systematic client advocacy and professionalized emotional labor; their contributions are often uncredited in social service history.

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