Social work assistant

You can do a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, which may help when you look for work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• funding advice
• search for courses

You could do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship for the children and young people's workforce, or in youth work or care work.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

You could get experience by volunteering, which will give you an advantage with course and job applications.

You could apply directly after getting experience in a care role, like a care worker or a healthcare assistant in a:

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

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

Career tips

Experience of caring within your own family or community can help you get into this job.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in adult social care from Think Care Careers.

You'll need:

• 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
• active listening skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

Your day-to-day tasks may include:

• contacting clients and following up enquiries
• advising clients and their families about help that's available
• visiting people at home to check how they are
• following a social worker’s care plan, and sometimes creating your own
• keeping records and writing reports
• keeping up to date with the law
• going to meetings with your department and other agencies
• liaising with other health and care professionals

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.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.