Social workers help to protect vulnerable children and adults from harm or abuse, and support people to live independently.
£24,000 Starter
to£40,000 Experienced
37 to 40 a week
evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota
You can get into this job through:
You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in social work approved by Social Work England.
You can also do a 2-year postgraduate degree in social work, if you have a degree in another subject.
You may be eligible for social work bursary.
You'll usually need:
You can complete a social worker degree apprenticeship, which takes around 3 years.
You'll usually need:
Experience of working with vulnerable groups or children is essential for most courses and jobs.
Before becoming qualified as a social worker, you can apply to be a social work assistant or support worker. You can also get skills and experience by volunteering in the community, with a charity or through paid work.
You can get more information on volunteering opportunities in your area from Do-it.
You can apply to do an intensive, work-based training programme for graduates if you've got a first or upper second class degree in any subject except social work. The programmes are:
It's possible to do a degree in social work and learning disabilities nursing. You'll need to check that the course is recognised by the relevant professional bodies. Course providers can advise you on this.
You can get more advice about becoming a social worker from the British Association of Social Workers and Think Care Careers.
You'll need:
You'll need to:
A driving licence and your own transport will be useful though not always essential.
Your duties will vary, depending on whether you work with children, families or adults. You could:
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.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
During your first year in work your employer may offer you professional development, for example the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (AYSE). This includes extra support like:
Each local authority will have a career pathway, with some offering the chance to study for a postgraduate MA in Advanced Professional Practice.
With experience, you'll find opportunities to move into management, research or study for a PhD. You could also become a practice educator and train and mentor students from your partner university.
We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a social worker right now.
The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.
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