What do social workers do?
Who employs social workers?
What qualities do I need?
How much can you earn?
What areas do social workers become involved in?
How do I become a social worker?
How do I gain experience to be accepted on a social work course?
What if I want to specialise?
How long does it take to train?
What qualifications do I need?
What are the long term prospects?
How do I apply?
Could I get financial assistance?
Once I am qualified, will I need to do any further training?
Where can I obtain further information?
Social work encompasses a wide range of activities. In short the profession helps to support the most vulnerable groups in our society.
The contribution that social workers make to people’s lives is often crucial. The main purpose of social work is to enable children, adults, families, groups and communities to participate and develop in society. They help people to make choices and improve their lives.
Social workers work closely with other professionals to support vulnerable adults and children in need, or at risk, by offering support and a range of help to enable them to live independent lives.
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A range of organisations - statutory, voluntary and private - employ social workers. They may work in:
- local authority social services departments
- education departments and special schools
- residential care homes, day centres, drop-in and community projects
- trusts, hospitals, hospices and health care teams or GP practices
- juvenile justice teams and projects
- housing associations.
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You will need to be open minded and analytical, interested in people and optimistic about their ability to change and overcome circumstances. You may need to support vulnerable individuals in dealing with racism and other forms of discrimination.
Social workers require personal qualities such as patience, determination and the ability to help peSocial workers require personal qualities such as patience, determination and the ability to help people face painful and distressing problems. The work can be both intellectually and emotionally demanding.
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The salary range for qualified social workers is between £17,000 and £28,000 per annum.
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Social workers help many different people in society, with staff working in a wide range of settings offering services for:
- children
- older people
- people with mental health problems
- people with physical or learning disabilities
- those who experience homelessness,
- asylum seekers
- those whose lives are affected by HIV and AIDS, drugs and/or alcohol.
Some social workers work in the youth and criminal justice services or in adoption and fostering. The diversity of jobs can allow for rapid career progression.
For example you may be helping a family with a disabled child, a young person in trouble with the law, an older person coping with infirmity, a family in emotional or financial difficulties or people who have been sexually or physically abused.
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If you are considering a career in social work, then you should seriously consider obtaining a professional qualification in social work. The Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) is recognised by all social work employers throughout the UK. Locally the University of Leicester and De Montfort University offer approved DipSW programmes.
Most courses expect that you have some prior experience of working with people in need in either a voluntary cap expect that you have some prior experience of working with people in need in either a voluntary capacity or as paid work.
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There are jobs within social care that do not require a social work qualification. To find out about available jobs, visit the council's Job Shop.
Alternatively, VAL (Voluntary Action Leicester) organises opportunities for volunteers. Telephone (0116) 255 3333 for further information.
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Some DipSW programmes provide a choice of general or particular routes offering students the opportunity to prepare for general social work or for work with particular groups. These could include:
- children and families
- residential care
- community care
- criminal and youth justice
- mental health
- sensory impairment.
- There are also a number of post–qualifying courses, which allow for specialisation (e.g. child care).
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Social workers normally spend two years in training but there are a growing number of three-year undergraduate programmes leading to the DipSW as well as employment-based, part-time or open or distance learning routes.
Approximately half the time is spent in the university or college and the remainder learning and being assessed in the workplace under the supervision of a qualified and experienced social worker. From 2002 you will need to spend three years of full time training to complete a degree course to become a qualified social worker.
te a degree course to become a qualified social worker.
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The main avenues available are the postgraduate route, the undergraduate route, the non-graduate route and the employment route.
All social work students must also demonstrate suitability to work as a professional social worker. Characteristics such as open-mindedness, trustworthiness, maturity, patience, determination, judgement, compassion and good sense are all desirable.
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If you hold the DipSW, it is possible to move between jobs and gain a wide range of experience during your career. Some career paths can lead to management positions – where you might have budgetary and target assessment responsibilities.
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Application procedures do vary. Most non-graduate and post-graduate college based programmes recruit through the Social Work Admissions Service (SWAS).
Undergraduate programmes recruit through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Some college-based and most employment-based programmes recruit direct. Applicants for employment-based programmes should first consult their training officer.
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Undergraduate and non-graduate DipSW students may be eligible for a means-tested contribution towards all or part of their annual fees and maintenance. Contact your local education authority for precise arrangements that will apply.
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Whilst in employment, social workers need to continue learning and extending their skills. There is a post-qualifying framework that allows the continuing professional development of social workers to be structured and formally recognised. This enables social workers to have their further learning accredited and through a process of credit accumulation, gain a recognised reward.
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For further information, please call the national helpline on 0845 604 6404, minicom 0845 601 6121 or log on to www.socialworkcareers.co.uk.
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