I Want To Work In … Social Work

 

Social work covers a wide range of different specialisms, but two of the most important are:

Qualities required include:

You will need a degree in social work to become a social worker. If you are not studying this subject at the moment you will need to take another undergraduate degree in the future: this is normally a full three-year degree in social work, but there are some accelerated two-year programmes for graduates in relevant subjects such as sociology, social policy, psychology and law.

Some employers, especially local authority social services departments, will sponsor students on these courses. It is not a disadvantage to have studied another subject first – social work is an area where maturity and experience are assets.

You should start to build up this experience as early as possible – this may be through volunteering, through part-time paid care work or through any work in a setting that brings you into contact with people who may use social or voluntary services, or with related professions. See our Work Experience pages www.kent.ac.uk/careers/vacwork.htm

PROFILE: Social Worker

RESIDENTIAL SOCIAL WORK - The care & supervision of a group of persons (e.g. children, elderly people, the mentally or physically handicapped, people suffering from alcohol or drug addiction, etc) in a residential home or school.
FIELD SOCIAL WORK - Dealing with problems of individuals or groups, e.g. child care, mental welfare, finding foster homes, advising those adopting children. Trying to restore acceptable or improved social conditions for the individual family or community.
EMPLOYERS: Local authorities, voluntary organisations
RELATED JOBS: Youth Work, Community Work, Housing Management, Probation Work.
SATISFACTIONS: Enabling people to make a fresh start & rebuild their lives.
NEGATIVES: Stress - dealing with emotionally vulnerable people.
SKILLS: spoken communication, cooperating, listening, ability to establish a rapport with all kinds of people. Concern for others' feelings without becoming emotionally over-involved. Willingness to work outside the normal 9-5 pattern
ADVANCEMENT: Can move into senior posts after about four years experience or specialise with children, the disabled etc.
DEGREE: Must have a degree in Social Work or if entering with another degree subject must take the Two-year (minimum) Diploma/Masters in Social Work. Practical experience is normally required before starting the course, especially for non-relevant graduates.
VACANCY SOURCES: The Guardian (Wednesdays), Community Care. Speculative applications to local authority social services departments & voluntary bodies are also likely to be worthwhile.
TIPS: You will need experience of social work. This can be obtained from part-time voluntary work. Previous experience of welfare benefits & housing advice giving/counselling etc. also very useful.

 

PROFILE: Social Services Administrator

INVOLVES: Hiring staff; Managing budgets; leading a service (planning for the future); Changing social services culture; Making decisions/resolving dilemmas.
EMPLOYERS: Local authority social services departments, voluntary, private organisations in child care.
RELATED JOBS: Education Welfare; Education Psychology; Managing small voluntary organisation.
SATISFACTIONS: variety; independence; making decisions; getting results for people/organisations.
NEGATIVES: Stress/anxiety; Can be depressing; Can be frustrating - things can be slow to change.
SKILLS: written communication, organising, listening, and cooperating.
ADVANCEMENT: Social worker - team manager - service manager - head of service - director - chief executive
DEGREE: sociology; social policy & administration.
POSTGRADUATE STUDY: Diploma in Social Work.
VACANCY SOURCES: Community Care; Guardian (Wednesday).

 

Social work interviews with local authorities

Interview and selection exercises change each year and varies depending on the local authority.

In one local authority the selection exercise involved applicants being given a case study to consider - they were then given a number of questions about it to discuss in a small group. Selectors were looking for understanding of the issues, relevant law and guidance, communication skills - ability to argue their point and respect for the views of other candidates.

In another authority, because of the high intake, candidates were asked to discuss a detailed case study in a group surrounded by observers and only those who did well in this were asked for interview.

Some authorities use an in tray exercise, particularly for intake teams. For example "Here are eight different circumstances, please prioritise these". In another local authority applicants were given 30 minutes to read a case study and write down questions. The case study was then discussed at the beginning of the interview e.g. adult protection: you might not know exactly what to do but how would you deal with the situation?

Links

Recruitment sites

Last fully updated 2012