Social work is a challenging but also hugely rewarding job. There are over 28,000 social workers in the UK, according to latest government statistics on social work. This is found in the field of mental health, drug and alcohol abuse. This is to ‘enable social workers to acquire new knowledge and skills as well as maintain and improve their standards across all areas of their practice’. To practice as a social worker you’ll need a degree in social work that’s been approved by Social Work England, and be registered with Social Work England.. Each University has different entry requirements for social work degrees but you’re likely to need three A-Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, and five supporting GCSE’s including English, maths and science. Recent labour market information says you can earn on average between £24,000 and £40,000 a year as a social worker in the UK. Depending on where you are stationed, this could lead to plenty of travel on a day-to-day basis. Also, discover what qualifications and other skills you need to flourish and make the social worker job role your own. But thirdly you need a good insight. The next round of applications will be summer 2018, with trainees receiving a bursary of £19,833. Their clients may include families, students, hospital patients or the elderly. Like many roles in the care sector, helping others is the key drive for those wanting to be a social worker. However, some school social workers work on one campus only. Recruiters and employers are looking for: This last point is particularly poignant in modern-day Britain, as Brid Featherstone, Head of Department for Behavioural and Social Sciences at the University of Huddersfield, says: “Social work, as a lot of the research has shown, is driven by audit requirements. The job of a social worker is to be there for people in need, helping them identify their specific requirements while also building relationships within the care sector. How to get hired by nailing the 20 most common interview questions employers ask. Read our guide, together with our How to handle competency-based interview questions tips, and double your chance of interview success. Hourly rates if you work via a recruiter can be from £7 to £11. (This is) because they want people to be ready to practise. Another aspect of social work is travel. They can work in local authorities, as practising social workers, they can be social work managers, social work directors, they can be in charge of policy, they can take research forward, they can work in universities and colleges.”. “There used to be more flexibility around University placements. The efforts of those involved in social work can be seen throughout many different communities across the whole of the UK . One programme is the government’s Step Up to Social Work course. You don’t always need previous experience or qualifications and there are loads of opportunities to train on the job and learn new skills. The mental health social worker average wage is £23,000 a year, but the range is between £17,000 and £32,500. Current hospital social worker job ads on totaljobs require experience in a unique and demanding field. You need a degree in social work as approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). Social workers are professionals who support adults, children, families and communities to improve their lives. Social workers can provide their clients with practical support, counselling, information and emotional support. Because the main skills in statutory social work jobs in local authorities are either in child protection or adult services.”. A social worker office will likely be stationed at a particular place, such as a school or hospital, but some workers may also have a wide area to cover, depending on the needs of the service users. Writing reports and keeping records up to date is essential, while you will be required at times to give evidence in court. UK government statistics show 30% of children and family social workers are aged between 30 and 49. Operate on-site in schools over a given area or a particular school. You'll be employed in the charity sector or in specialist roles, such as providing support for drug and alcohol users, homeless … Looking for a pay rise? Social Work. Care and support in an individual’s mental health recovery. As a teacher, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping the lives of young people. The course aims to focus on the following topics: There is not one generic social work career path and employees do change from sector to sector over time. How to become a Personal Assistant job description? Help provide assistance for families under stress. Have an understanding of the legal frameworks in which hospital social workers operate. Service transcends borders. They have protected caseloads that are clear commitments to help newly qualified social workers develop their skills and improve their knowledge of the system. The aim of social work is to help people in need and that can take numerous forms. What does a mental health social worker do? I’m getting towards the end point of my career but it hasn’t stopped me wanting to learn. As Ishaq explains: “I’m constantly looking to learn and embrace new understandings of how to support and help people at challenging times in their lives. You will need to assess a client’s current situation and support them where needed. A trainee social worker on a charity scheme provided, for example, by The Frontline will earn a £16,500 to £19,000 bursary in their first year of training, before becoming a salaried social worker on £35,000 for their second year. This piece will provide detail on what a social worker does on a day-to-day basis, and list sectors that need social workers. In all roles, you will be trained and skilled to bring about change. You’ve quit! However, depending on qualifications and experience income can range to up to £40,000. Online account. No one is perfect and social work is a challenging job where self development and learning is part of the process. Being a social worker is a hugely rewarding job that comes with many challenges and chances to improves people’s lives. Strengthening local knowledge and community ties. Social policy: politics of the welfare state. There are a number of agencies that specify in social work recruitment. What is a social worker and is it the right job for you? In order to cope with these kinds of demands, carry out interventions, deal with conflict and be present in emotionally-charged situations, you'll need to be assertive and emotionally resilient. Inform the school of what a child’s needs are. A social worker’s primary role is to be there for a vulnerable person, who are referred to by the term ‘service user’ within the industry. Social work assistants who take on additional administrative duties can earn as much as £25,000. Do a social work apprenticeship. What qualifications do I need to be a social worker? While social workers work with people of all ages, our focus at Frontline is on recruiting and developing children’s social workers. Social workers have an integral role in the UK care sector and work across the country, in hospitals, schools, local authorities and the legal system. Think Ahead similarly offer a two-year course for 100 places per year, with a specific focus on adult mental health social work. The Think Ahead training programme for post-graduates offers a two-year course in mental health social care, after which you will be a trained social worker. To apply for a degree, you must have a Grade C in maths and English at GCSE level, as well as a certain amount of UCAS points. This role is pertinent for dealing with service users within the framework of the law. Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Social workers are required across the UK and provide a crucial role within urban and rural communities. The point of social work experience is to try and test your abilities in the workplace, while developing your skills set. And we’ll show you why social workers love what they do. As Prof. Ray Jones explains: “It’s very sensible, useful and helpful to have some form of experience before you start your social work degree. A school social worker is an important asset to students, parents, communities, and school districts. This can entail meeting them to discuss their needs, while also liaising with family, friends and other officials. It’s for those who are able to think critically, reflect on what they’re doing and really have a very strong sense of social justice, of working with individuals to ensure that there can be differences made in people’s lives. Newly qualified social workers can undertake an Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE), which is a programme aimed to provide extra support to newcomers into the sector. A social worker helps people cope with challenges in every stage of their lives. Browse over 200 job description examples. You will also be skilled in using relevant legal powers to protect people’s rights (and sometime balance the rights of everyone involved). They protect and promote human rights and wellbeing. Graduates earn a post-graduate diploma and a masters in social work, while the placements are paid. A third of our lives is spent at work. Be open-minded of people’s personal situations. They work in partnership with a number of charities and organisations to ensure families receive the help they need. Ivan Wise says: “Some of our heads of services and even chief executives of NHS Trusts are mental health social workers by background.”. Keep records and perform administrative tasks. A typical day for a social worker can be varied and challenging but also very rewarding. Social workers recognise the bigger picture affecting people’s lives and work for a more equal and just society where human rights are respected and protected. Barbara Fawcett, Professor of Social Work at the University of Birmingham, says: “Social work is for those who are interested in people and working with people, making links between theoretical perspectives, policy, policy initiatives and what happens in practice. Understand the specific needs of children. Each job profile tells you: Big job interview coming up? These responsibilities are varied and overlap in many social worker roles. People need more than a basic package to enjoy their workplace. Communicate with parents, guardians and teachers. This may include helping families experiencing difficulties to resolve their problems. You may be asking yourself ‘What to say in an interview?’ or ‘How to do well in an interview?’ It’s a very broad career and very varied.”. Can you cancel your resignation now? The average social worker salary in the UK is £46,000 a year when fully qualified. But most often you are ending your work with a family on a happy note. As with many jobs in modern-day Britain, work experience is welcomed in the social work sector. There’s a whole range of opportunities and options in terms of who you can work with and what type of work you can do.”. What is the best part of being a social worker? Social workers recognise the bigger picture affecting people’s lives and work for a more equal and just society where human rights are respected and protected. Obviously it is serious. 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