Social worker

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• a graduate training scheme

University

You could do a degree in social work approved by Social Work England .

You could also do a postgraduate degree in social work, if you have a degree in another subject. This postgraduate degree takes 2 years.

You might be able to get a social work bursary .

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a Social Worker Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, which takes around 3 years.

Entry requirements:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

You'll need experience of working with vulnerable groups or children for most courses and jobs.

To get skills and experience, you could:

• apply to be a social work assistant or support worker
• work in the community with a charity
• find volunteering opportunities through the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT

OtherRoutes

Graduate training scheme

If you already have a 2:

• 2 (second class) degree, you could do an intensive, work-based training programme to gain a master's degree or postgraduate diploma in social work.

The programmes are:

• Frontline for children's social work
• Step Up to Social Work for children's social work
• Think Ahead for mental health social work

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

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
• knowledge of sociology and an understanding of society and culture
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• active listening skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to read English
• knowledge of psychology
• customer service skills
• a desire to help people
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• knowledge of English language
• concentration skills
• a good memory
• the ability to work well with your hands

What you'll do:

Social workers help to protect vulnerable children and adults from harm or abuse, and support people to live independently.

Your tasks will depend on if you work with children, families or adults.

As a social worker, you could:

• meet individuals and families to review needs and make support plans
• help clients develop and maintain independent living skills
• keep clients safe and take action to protect them when necessary
• work closely with communities, health professionals and other agencies
• keep records, write reports and discuss cases with your supervisors

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

Salary:

Starter : £27,000
Experienced : £50,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

Career Path:

Professional development

During your first year as a social worker, your employer might offer you professional development, like the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) .

This includes extra support like:

• regular supervision
• a training and development plan
• time to meet your training and development needs

Progression

With experience you could:

• study for a postgraduate MA in Advanced Professional Practice with a local authority
• research or study for a PhD
• move into management
• become a practice educator and train and mentor students

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