Graduate Careers in Social Work
Graduate careers in social work are a challenging and exciting career choice. Social workers help make a positive difference to the lives of service users and their families. Having assessed what care needs people may have, social workers and the service users themselves identify a care package that will help meet these assessed needs. Social workers engage with service users, their families, carers and the broader community and work closely with other professionals such as the police; health care professionals, teachers, probation services and housing authorities. A social worker is a people’s person, an advisor, an advocate, a counsellor and a listener. If this sounds like you then you should consider a graduate career in social work. Empathetic by nature, social workers act as navigators of care services providing the signposts for service users to help them access the services and assistance they need. Read on to discover what a graduate career in social work can offer you.
Who should study to become a social worker?
Many different people who may hold different skills or backgrounds are being encouraged to become social workers. Access and support systems are well established to meet the study needs of students from diverse backgrounds. There is a growing trend for people seeking a “career change” to enter social work after careers in other professions. The experience and a variety of skills such people bring to the profession of social work are highly valued. Personal skills needed to become a social worker include; good listener, assessment and communication skills, a non-judgmental attitude and an awareness of diversity and difference.
Communication skills are a key part of social work. Social work involves representing or being an advocate for vulnerable people. This requires the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing, sometimes producing reports, for example to a court.
From 2003, the route to qualification as a social worker in England has been a degree in social work approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC). The qualification can be studied at either undergraduate or postgraduate level and you can study the degree in different ways, including full-time, part-time and in a few cases open or distance learning.
A list of approved universities and related teaching institutions is available via the link below, along with their contact details. http://www.gscc.org.uk/Training+and+learning/Become+a+social+worker/
Where+to+study/
Financial assistance for social work students is available through bursaries administered by the GSCC on behalf of the Department of Health. Social work students of all ages are able to apply for bursaries as an incentive to train.
There are bursaries available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, provided they meet residency requirements and other criteria.
Social work bursary application forms and guidance booklets are available on the GSCC website (www.gscc.org.uk).
In September 2005, the GSCC opened the Social Care Register to social work students. Students participate in practical work with service users through their practice placement. Registration with the GSCC demonstrates that they are training on an accredited course, have been checked are committed to high standards, as set out in the GSCC Code of Practice for Social Care Workers and are accountable for their conduct.
Social workers are now recognised as professionals. On 1 April 2005, the title ‘social worker’ became protected, meaning by law all social workers in England must be registered with the GSCC in order to practise. This is an important step for the protection of service users. Social workers also benefit from professional status, similar to doctors, nurses, lawyers and teachers.
What to do next?
If you’re interested in joining the social work profession, here are some things to consider next.
Make sure that you have the required academic qualifications listed above. If not contact your local Further Education college to see how they can help you to achieve these. Alternatively contact the university you are interested in applying to, to find out their entry requirements.
If you meet the requirements and want to apply, look at the social work careers website listed at the end of this article for more details about courses offered and contact relevant universities for more information. Contact UCAS for application details.
If you are currently working in a social care organisation, discuss with your supervisor opportunities for support in qualifying training; discuss opportunities to undertake short training courses or NVQ qualifications; ask your supervisor to help you to think about what you are doing and how to improve it.
If you are currently employed outside social care and would like to change jobs, look in your local paper, job centres and magazines such as Community Care for job opportunities.
If you are currently employed and unable to change jobs, try to gain experience of social care work through volunteering. Details of local organisations can be found from your careers’ advisor or local libraries. If possible try and volunteer with an organisation that you recognise and which offers some training.
More information
For more information about the GSCC, please go to www.gscc.org.uk. Call us on 020 7397 5800 or email info@gscc.org.uk.
If you have any queries about registration, call the GSCC registration team on 0845 070 0630, or you can email them at registration@gscc.org.uk.
Information about social work bursaries is available on the GSCC website at www.gscc.org.uk/bursaries or call 020 7397 5835.
For general information on careers in social work and social care, call the Department of Health Recruitment Line for Social Work and Social Care Careers on 0845 604 6404 or see www.socialworkcareers.co.uk for a list of universities offering social work courses.
If you’ll be studying for a social work qualification in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, contact the social care council in the country where you study for more information.
A graduate career in social work is one of the most challenging yet rewarding career options to take. If you are interested in a graduate career in social work then you should consult the professional bodies listed to find out how you can become a social worker.
Scottish Social Services Council
Compass House
Discovery Quay
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Tel: 0845 60 30 891
Fax: 01382 207 288
Email: registration@sssc.uk.com
Web: www.sssc.uk.com
Care Council for Wales
Sixth floor, West Wing
South Gate House
Wood Street
Cardiff
CF10 1EW
Tel: 0845 0700 399
Fax: 029 2038 4764
Email: registration@ccwales.org.uk
Web: www.ccwales.org.uk
Northern Ireland Social Care Council
7th floor
Millennium House
Great Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7AQ
Tel: 028 9041 7600
Fax: 028 9041 7601
Email: info@niscc.n-i.nhs.uk
Web: www.niscc.info
