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Social worker

Alternative titles for this job include

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

Average salary (a year)

£27,000 Starter

to

£42,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 40 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a social worker

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

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Apprenticeship

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Volunteering

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

To get skills and experience, you could:

Other Routes

Graduate training scheme

You could apply to do an intensive, work based training programme if you've got at least a 2:1 (upper second class) degree in any subject except social work. 

The programmes are:

More Information

Registration

Career tips

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. You can get advice about this from course providers.

Further information

You can get more advice about becoming a social worker from the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and Think Care Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

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
  • 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
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You might need a driving license and your own transport. 

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your role might vary depending on if you work with children, families or adults. 

As a social worker, you could:

  • offer information and counselling to clients and put together support plans
  • help clients develop and maintain independent living skills
  • support clients' safety and take action to protect them when necessary
  • work closely with communities, health professionals and other agencies
  • meet with individuals and families to review their situation
  • keep records, write reports and discuss cases with your supervisors

Working environment

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.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

Professional development

During your first year as a social worker, your employer might offer you professional development, for example 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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

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.

Courses In England

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work)

  • Provider: EALING, HAMMERSMITH & WEST LONDON COLLEGE
  • Start date: 07 August 2023
  • Location: Not known

Access to HE Diploma (Social Work)

  • Provider: HALESOWEN COLLEGE
  • Start date: 06 September 2023
  • Location: Halesowen
Find courses near you

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