Social workers practice as counsellors and administrators in governmental agencies including child welfare, family service agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, mental health organizations, community care facilities, addiction programs, treatment centres, employee assistance programs, community living agencies, adoption services, and other similar organizations.

Community development social workers work out of community centres and grassroots social action organizations.

Some social workers are self-employed in private practice, offering counselling, consultative and other services directly to the public or to workplaces on a fee-for-service basis, or by contacting their services to organizations.