Thinking of retraining as a social worker

[Devilishpyjamas]

Are there any on here (willing to out themselves). I have had contact with the 'good' side of the profession (an excellent social worker who was able to make a difference, although it took some time to fall into place). I know I'm pretty robust, but I also know from social worker friends that it is tough in the current climate. I suppose I'm trying to work out whether it's as 'bad' as teaching in terms of difficulties doing the job due to government cuts/interference etc.

I'm doing some relevant volunteering to get more of a for that side of things - but it's hard to work out how difficult the structure/management side of things is.

(Also considering mental health nursing but nurse nanagement puts me off, or physician associate but such a new role a bit of a leap in the dark).

Would really love to hear more from any current social workers.

[hoochymama1]

Hey there Devilishpyjamas I was a teacher for eons then trained as a SW when I was 50. Now in Adult fieldwork team and I luffs it
PM me if you want more details. All the best with your decision

[Devilishpyjamas]

Ooooh- I will do!! Thank you

[Mooey89]

Social worker in an adult team here - absolutely love it!
Think CP has a short lifespan but I find I'm able to get a good work life balance and love the job.

[Mov1ngOn]

Former teacher here. Were there older people on the course? I'd be scared offering from one stressy job where you aren't empowered to actually do your job to another similar

[tethersend]

I'm an advisory teacher for children in care- best of both worlds. Or worse, depending on your point of view

[Devilishpyjamas]

Interesting to see how many are happy with their jobs

[Devilishpyjamas]

And positive! So many people look at me as if I have 2 heads of I mention being interested in social work.

[bloodypassword]

I'm in adult mental health. Love it. It's stressful but I wouldn't do anything else. Do feel free to pm me if you want more info/details.

[Devilishpyjamas]

Thank you I will do!

[ElizabethG81]

The key here seems to be working in Adult Services! I'm not a Social Worker myself but work very closely with Children's Services in my LA and I'm afraid it's a very bleak situation.

[jinglymum]

I work in children's, care planning. The hours are incredibly long, very little work/life balance, constantly feel I can't get my job done as very little time.

I have my own small child so every day is a struggle, I put him to bed and spend at least another 3 hours working. Although this varies greatly on the authority you work for, I have friends in different authorities with much less workload.

Family placement always seems a good option.

[woody2976]

love my job, happy to chat via pm. I work in children's services. It's not perfect but I wouldn't ever want to do anything else.

[Devilishpyjamas]

It's interesting as my recent (well last 5 years) experience of children's has been really good, but adults (transition services) has been hopeless - they seem to have a huge caseload & everything is crisis. My experience of children's has been really good preventative, supportive social work - I suppose I'm wondering how usual it is to be able to do such a good job.

Thank you woody - I'll drop you a PM. I have to say this thread is a lot less bleak than a lot of teacher threads (the situation in teaching sounds horrendous).

[Justdontaskhowiam]

Mental health social worker for over a decade - very stressful but love it

[Devilishpyjamas]

I am pleased to see so many saying they enjoy the job despite the stresses.

Jingly it must be tough to juggle around a young child. My youngest is about to start secondary & ime everything gets easier at secondary (in terms of hands on care anyway).

[JonSnowsBeardClippings]

CP social worker - I love my job and don't find the workload hard to manage. I mean it's hard work but I don't work at home on a regular basis and I almost never stay late (single parent)

[Thegirlinthetrousers]

I'm hoping to retrain as a SW in sept 2017... Nice also to read some positive posts! I'm currently doing some volunteer work, and applying for jobs in relate fields ready to apply for the MA in social work for 2017. Am 44.... Currently a teacher ...stressing a lot about being too old to make this career change!

[Devilishpyjamas]

The girl - I am 45 & also looking at the masters in 2017 - we can be elderly together

[GEM3A]

Also a social worker in children's (not cp though) feel free to pm me for more info. Love my job although current budget restraints are making things difficult and there have been a lot of cut backs within our service.

[jinglymum]

It is, he is only 5 and I am a single parent.

I really need to look for a new job, a friend works in a neighbouring authority and working out of hours is frowned upon, we however have been given network boxes so we can work at home on a night, under staffed is the problem and unsupportive management.

[Devilishpyjamas]

That sounds very tough jingly. So much depends on management doesn't it & their attitude.

Gem3 - thank you I will. Budget cuts do worry me.

[Whathaveilost]

I am not a SW but work closely with them in Children's Services.
SWs are leaving in droves and we have constant flow of agency staff who soon move on. They all say it's gone far to stressful, little backup if things go wrong since a few high profile cases became well publicised. SW are also leaving Adult Services in my authority as well.
My friend is training and she has a young family. It's been extremely long hours since she has been on placement which is out of our area and the amount of uni work has been phenomenal.

Good luck if that's what you want to do.

[Devilishpyjamas]

Hmm that's more what I was expecting to hear tbh. Maybe it does depend on LA - children's services here seems to not use much agency staff (although the threshold to get a SW if eg your child has a disability seems quite high to me - things definitely improved for us once my son met the criteria to have one).

Adults seem to be more as you describe although haven't really put them to the test yet.