Introduction

People can be mystifying, aggravating, fascinating, rewarding. But they are never boring. The old man next door may appear threatening, dirty, noisy, eccentric. But to social workers he may be depressed, frightened and lonely and it is their job to help him and the local community understand the problem. They organise care and support for the more vulnerable members of society: assess their needs and provide services to meet those needs. It is a sensitive job and there is the opportunity to specialize in other areas of social work such as children’s services.

Social work is based in all types of local authority except district councils.

Work Environment

The work is based in the offices of the social services department but also takes place in other settings such as community hospitals, residential and day care centres or private homes – where people with complex problems exist in circumstances in which their liberty or safety is at risk. Tasks undertaken outside the office often involve a degree of isolation with physical and emotional risks.

Social workers work a nominal 37 hours per week with anti social hours when a case demands it.

Daily Activities

Regular daily requirements include visiting older people, people with mental health problems or learning difficulties wherever they are – at home or in a care centre or hospital. Sometimes visits may be made to the homes of the carers. There are meetings to attend, substantial reports to write, liaison with other professionals and constant planning and reviewing of procedures and progress. There may also be a need to attend court hearings on behalf of a client.

Social workers may also take part in special projects such as organising case conferences and contributing to service developments.

There is considerable scope for using individual initiative but in many cases – for example in hospital work where there is a need for a multi-disciplinary approach – team work is essential. Deadlines are imposed by statutory legal requirements and by the needs of colleagues – for instance over health issues such as problems arising from the shortage of hospital beds.

Each day will involve liaising with social services colleagues, other council departments, voluntary and private sector services such as housing and health, carers, GPs, the police, the courts and the general public.

Skills & Interests

The social worker needs to care about people, and in this case the elderly, and so must have:

• the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life
• respect for the rights of elderly people
• an ability to identify and challenge discrimination
• good interviewing, listening and observation skills
• negotiating and organising skills
• the ability to deal with difficult situations and conflict
• a stable temperament
• report writing skills.

Being able to use a computer and drive a car is also necessary.

Entry Requirements

The professional qualifying training for social workers is a degree in social work approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).

The degree is a three year programme and entrance is via approved universities, who determine their own conditions for entry.

The previous professional qualification, the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), is still recognised as a valid social work qualification.

Those wishing to pursue a degree in social work will need GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C or above. Although universities will set their own conditions of entrance, possible useful A-level (or equivalent) subjects would be law, sociology or psychology. Vocational GCSEs and A-level subjects may also be useful.

More information about the new qualification is available on General Social Care Council website and the Department of Health website.

More information about professional training in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can be found at the following websites:
Care Council for Wales
Scottish Social Services Council
Northern Ireland Social Care Council

Estimated salary range

Variable: from £19,800 to £27,300 possibly rising to £28,000+ in some areas and due to possible differences in job description as given above.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

Experienced social workers can become senior practitioners or they can move into supervisory posts as senior social worker or team leader. They can also specialize in other areas such as mental health, childcare protection, family care, youth offending, fostering, adoption or probation.

Social work is a rapidly growing field and there are good promotion prospects, structured professional development programmes and on the job training. The demands are huge and the rewards small – except in terms of the satisfaction to be gained in helping improve the lives of older people.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Caring For Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

Community Care journal

General Social Care Council www.gscc.org.uk

Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk

Northern Ireland Social Care Council www.niscc.info

Scottish Social Services Council www.sssc.uk.com

British Association of Social Workers(BASW) www.basw.co.uk

Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk

National Training Organisation for Social Work/Social Care www.topssengland.net

Social Work careers information www.socialworkcareers.co.uk

Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk/socialhealthcare

Follow this link for social services recruitment contacts within local councils in your area.

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library – under V.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Social Worker, Adult Services vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and trainin