Social Work Degree

[naughtynormansmells]

Just after some cries/advise.

I'm 31 and have 2 children of 3 and 6. I would be looking at going to university 2024 when I am 33.

I'm really interested in becoming a social worker, it's a field that really appeals to me. I would possibly be looking at working with adults and mental health side of the job.

I have experience as a support worker but currently not in that job as I needed to change my hours to more suitable daytime hours whilst my youngest was in nursery.

I am looking at doing an access course to get the relevant UCAS points and already have the required GCSE's. I would also be looking to volunteer in a relevant position to gain some experience and boost my personal statement.

Does anyone have any pro's or con's about this career? Is uni doable with primary school age children? How is uni as a mature student?

Financially my husband can just about support us with a small amount of reserve at the end of the month should I become a student but it just seems such a big thing to lose my salary for 3 years.

Has anyone gone to uni slightly later in life with young children and give me any advise please?

I’m a qualified social worker but not currently practising.

Studying and working as a social worker will be full time and have an element of unpredictable and antisocial hours depending on the placement allocated.

The majority of people on my course were 30+ We were all very close and supported each other. It was at a local campus as an outreach to main university. I think our experiences would have been different if we’d go to the proper uni.

Do you qualify for student finance or the bursary?

I haven't looked into student finance. I just thought everyone got it. I will have a look into it. I think I may be entitled to the childcare nursery which I think is up to 85% of costs. Which I would need as the children would still require the wrap around care.

If I am honest, I think what is really holding me back is the fact my husbands job earns far more than mine. Not a huge salary but at 42k a year against my 22k year. It's a big chunk more. Because of this, I have to have a job that fits around childminders/school. He leaves for work at 5.45am and gets back 6.30pm so it's me who has to do drop off and collection to the childminder.

Just think it might be an impossible thing to balance going to uni. I didn't even think about unsociable hours for placements, as even though I could do nights, I would have to back home for 5.30am to take over for the children.

I am coming to the end of my social work masters, and hope to qualify this summer. I’m 49.

It has been heavy going, especially on the 120 day placement. Placement is four days per week, university one day per week, and I spend the weekend in the library catching up, writing assignments or preparing for next week classes.

I am lucky; my children are now adults, and I have a very supportive husband who does the vast majority of housework. There are students who manage to study, also work, and have young children. I am in awe of their ability to keep going!

I have enjoyed my course, enjoyed the challenge and can’t wait to qualify. The process has fundamentally changed me, my outlook and my attitudes and values- all for the better.

@naughtynormansmells

I haven't looked into student finance. I just thought everyone got it. I will have a look into it. I think I may be entitled to the childcare nursery which I think is up to 85% of costs. Which I would need as the children would still require the wrap around care.

If I am honest, I think what is really holding me back is the fact my husbands job earns far more than mine. Not a huge salary but at 42k a year against my 22k year. It's a big chunk more. Because of this, I have to have a job that fits around childminders/school. He leaves for work at 5.45am and gets back 6.30pm so it's me who has to do drop off and collection to the childminder.

Just think it might be an impossible thing to balance going to uni. I didn't even think about unsociable hours for placements, as even though I could do nights, I would have to back home for 5.30am to take over for the children.

When being allocated placement, we were asked about caring commitments, and areas where we wouldn’t be able to be placed (due to a conflict of interest), but there is still a degree in inflexibility.

In Scotland, you would get funding for an undergrad, assuming you’ve not had funding before, and would also get support with childcare.

It’s very unlikely you’d get any childcare paid for with your DHs salary being so high.

Your loan amount wouldn’t be the max either, it would be the minimum.

I’m a single parent and started Uni when DC were in Y6, Y4 and youngest was 2. It is doable. But very difficult and exhausting.

@mogglemoo
Thank you for your reply.
That's good to know you can make them aware of any commitments that could make things difficult.

@BitcherOfBlakiven
Wow, I'm in awe of how you've managed what you have done with your home responsibilities.
I do not require any help with living costs it's just the cost of the course which I think is just under 10k a year, plus the childcare help. Which if I couldn't get the childcare help then I would look at any Maintenance loans available to me.

A friend has just finished her social work degree, her DH earns 30K and she got no help with childcare and minimum loans which just about covered the childcare.

Do have a look on the fairly new Mature Study and Retraining board, OP, here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mature_students

You’ll find that social work is quite a popular choice. And there are countless threads there on juggling study, finances and domestic responsibilities.