Social work assistant

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You can do a college course in health and social care which may help when you look for work.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do an apprenticeship in care or youth work to get experience of working with vulnerable adults, children or young people, like:

• Adult Care Worker Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Youth Support Worker Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

You could then do a social worker degree apprenticeship once you have experience.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You could get experience by volunteering which might help when you apply for a course or job.

You can find volunteering opportunities listed on Do It .

DirectApplication

You could apply directly if you have experience in a care role such as a care worker or healthcare assistant. It would help if you have experience working in a:

• hospital
• hospice
• care home
• children's home

You'll usually need a GCSE in English for this route.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• sensitivity and understanding
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• active listening skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• customer service skills
• a desire to help people
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Social work assistants give advice and help people with their physical, emotional and social needs.

As a social work assistant you could:

• advise clients and families about what help is available
• visit clients at home to check how they are
• follow or create a social worker care plan
• keep up to date with changes in the law, write reports and keep records
• go to meetings with other healthcare professionals

Location : You could work in the community, at a children's care home, at a client's home, in an office, in an NHS or private hospital or at an adult care home.
Environment : Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £28,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience you could work towards qualifying as a social worker . You could do this yourself or you might be able to get support and funding from your employer.

You could also move into a related career such as a family support worker or counsellor .

Explore roles in child and family social work to find more information on management and specialist roles.