(Time: 00.00 – 00.45) IntroductionInterviewer: “This is a social worker podcast from the IDeA. Social work is a highly rewarding career and one that makes a real and positive contribution to the lives of children, adults and families. There are a number of ways to become a social worker and in this podcast we hear from Alex, a family support worker, who’s about to start a social work degree through the employment based route.”

Alex: “I will actually be studying and working at the same time”

Interviewer: “ She also talks about her expectations of the journey”

Alex: “I think I’m looking forward to underpinning my existing practical knowledge, with all the rest of the theory that I’m going to learn over the next three years.

(Time: 00.47 – 04.16) Alex Cole Interview

Alex: “I’m Alex Cole, I’m working as a family support worker with Surrey County Council and I’m about to start training as a social worker.”

Interviewer: “Alex you’ve just mentioned that you’re a family support worker and you’re about to start your social work degree, but before that your career has taken a number of turns including things like working for a magazine and as a solicitor’s receptionist and even an air hostess, how on earth did you end up choosing a career as a social worker?”

Alex: “Well I really enjoyed doing all the other jobs and I think predominantly
it was because I was working with people and I was able to be sociable and to talk to people, which is what I love doing. I’m quite nosy by nature so it suited me. But none of those jobs made me want to spring out of bed in the morning, they didn’t really grab me round the throat and get me going. Where as social work just seems to have hit that spot and I’m absolutely crazy about it, I really enjoy it.”

Interviewer: “Alex, how did you actually get into social work?”

Alex: “Well I initially joined the youth service, as I was informed that I would need to have some form of experience before I could actually join social services, so that was my in-road. I then spotted a job in an adults team which I applied for and because I was obviously already technically working for the local authority, I was able to apply for it and got offered the job.”

Interviewer: “So will you have to leave your current job to do your degree course?”

Alex: “No I won’t, I’m on what’s called the employment based route, so my local authority, Surrey County Council, is actually sponsoring me to do the degree, so I will actually be studying and working at the same time.”

Interviewer: ”So you’ll still be getting your salary?”

Alex: “I will be yes, very fortunately.”

Interviewer: “What other kind of support is your employer giving you?”

Alex: “Well they allow study time and obviously there’s funding for your travel, there’s funding for the books you might need and there’s always management support as necessary or as needed.”

Interviewer: “Throughout your career you faced quite a lot of challenges to get where you are today, what would you say has been the most difficult to overcome and was it worth it?”

Alex: “I think probably my biggest challenge is my lack of confidence in thinking that I couldn’t actually do the degree, that I didn’t have the ability to do it. And things have changed in the last 12 months in my life and I’ve realised that actually I can do it and I will do it and I’m passionate about it, so here I come.”

Interviewer: “So in terms of where you actually go once you’ve become a social worker, there’s a whole range of areas, what interests you most and why?”

Alex: “I think I would have to say children’s, I’m absolutely passionate, they’re our future and if we don’t get it right with children, how are we ever going to change generations and patterns that have always sat. Having said that I obviously haven’t started my degree and there’ll be lots of different opportunities open to me. Other areas of interest are mental health and drugs and alcohol, but at the moment my passion is children so I’d have to say I think that’s where I’m going to stay.”

Interviewer: “What are you looking forward to most about your journey?”

Alex: “I think I’m looking forward to underpinning my existing practical knowledge, with all the rest of the theory that I’m going to learn over the next three years.”

Interviewer: “To find out more about becoming a social worker go to www.lgcareers.com or www.socialworkcareers.co.uk

You’ve been listening to a social worker podcast from the IDeA, produced by Ten Horizon.”

End