Social Worker
What is the work like?
As a social worker, you would help, support and protect people who are facing difficulties in their lives.
You would help people take positive steps to overcome problems and improve their lives. Your clients might need support for many reasons, from families under pressure to people leaving hospital who need help to live independently. You could support a wide range of social services users, including:
- children and parents
- older people
- people with physical or learning disabilities
- people with mental health problems
- young adults
- homeless people
- people with drug or alcohol dependency.
You would normally specialise in working with children and families, or with adult service users, but in either case your job would involve:
- assessing and reviewing a service user’s situation
- building relationships with service users and their families
- agreeing what practical support someone needs (or making decisions for them when necessary, such as in child protection cases)
- offering information, counselling and advocacy
- organising and managing support packages
- taking part in team meetings, supervision and case conferences
- working closely with other health and social care professionals
- keeping records and writing reports
- contacting and making referrals to other agencies
- giving evidence at court hearings.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a social worker you will need an honours degree or postgraduate degree in social work approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC), followed by registration with the GSCC.
You will normally need the following qualifications to get onto an honours degree:
- five GCSEs (A-C) including English and maths
- at least two A levels, or an equivalent such as a BTEC National Diploma or NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care.
However, you should check entry requirements with colleges and universities, because alternatives like an Access to Higher Education qualification or substantial relevant work experience may also be accepted.
You will also need to pass a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) background check when you apply.
See the GSCC and Social Work and Care Careers websites for details of approved full-time, part-time and distance learning courses in England.
Most honours degrees in social work are three-year full-time courses. Some part-time and distance learning courses are also available, although you can often only do these if you are already working in social care and have the support of your employer.
If you already have a degree, you may be able to do a two-year postgraduate degree in social work instead of a three-year degree.
When you apply for training, you should also ideally have some paid or voluntary experience in a social work or social care setting. Course providers will be able to advise you how much experience they would prefer you to have. You can find advice on volunteering on the Social Work and Care Careers website.
For information on how to qualify as a social worker in Northern Ireland, see the Northern Ireland Social Care Commission website.
Employment-based route
Some employers may second or sponsor you to take the social work degree. You might get the chance to do this after working for them for a certain amount of time in a social care support role, or you could apply for any advertised opportunities for trainee social workers.
Financial help
If you are not being sponsored through the social degree by an employer, you may be eligible for a bursary to study. Contact the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) for information.
What further training and development can I do?
During your social work training you will divide your time between university and supervised work placements. Approved courses train you to work with a range of service user groups, so that you can offer a range of experience to employers.
As a qualified as a social worker you must renew your registration with the GSCC every three years, and keep your knowledge and skills up to date throughout your career. Part of the re-registration process involves showing that you have taken part in a set amount of professional training and development during that time.
One way you can do this is to study for a post-qualifying (PQ) award in social work. You can progress through three levels of award:
- PQ Award in Specialist Social Work
- PQ Award in Higher Specialist Social Work
- PQ Award in Advanced Social Work.
At each level you can specialise in one of five areas of social work, including mental health and leadership and management. The awards are available full- or part-time at universities, or through work-based learning.
Most employers also offer regular in-service training and opportunities to take day release or distance learning courses. See the GSCC website for more information on PQ training and registration.
Where can I go for more information?
2 Hay's LaneLondon
SE1 2HB
Tel: 020 7397 5800
Registration helpline: 0845 070 0630
Tel: 0845 610 1122
5 Albion Place
Leeds
LS1 6JL
Tel: 0113 245 1716
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Starting salaries are around £20,000 to £25,000 a year.
- With experience and responsibility this can rise to between £26,000 and £35,000.
- Senior managers and directors can earn much more.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You may often work shifts as part of a team providing 24-hour cover, seven days a week, or have on-call duties on a rota basis. You are more likely to work regular office hours in day care, health care or education settings. Part-time hours and job sharing are often available.
Your time would be split between the office and other settings such as clients’ homes, day centres, hospitals, health centres and court.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- the ability to relate to people of all ages and backgrounds and gain their trust
- a practical and flexible approach to work
- tact, patience and empathy
- an understanding of the needs of different client groups
- a non-judgemental attitude
- the ability to work in a team and also use your own initiative
- the ability to assess situations and take appropriate action
- resilience, to cope with difficult situations and challenging clients
- good time management and organisational skills
- computer literacy and administrative skills.
What opportunities are there?
You could be employed by local authorities, charities and voluntary agencies, private sector care homes and agencies, hospitals and NHS trusts and prisons.
Jobs may be advertised in the local and national press, employers' websites and specialist recruitment agencies.
With around three years’ experience you could progress to senior positions such as team leader or care service manager.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open new window):
LGJobs.com
Community Care
The Guardian
British Association of Social Workers Online Recruitment
Jobs Go Public/Social Care Careers
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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