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What other jobs could I do with a social work degree and experience?

45 replies

Cupofteaplease21 · 06/12/2022 14:00

I've been a social worker for nearly 20 years and have a masters degree, but I've lost all the passion I used to have. I would like to retrain as a psychologist or therapist but not sure I can afford too, what other jobs could I look at with my qualifications and experience?

OP posts:
icegoose · 06/12/2022 14:22

I moved from social work to therapist gaining extra qualifications via work. Charities and CAMHS seem to be possible routes?
I did this in the UK where there are less opportunities.
I'm now in the USA where it is a normal pathway for social workers.

Cupofteaplease21 · 06/12/2022 14:27

Could I please pm you as that sounds exactly what i would like to do.

OP posts:
NoelNoNoel · 06/12/2022 14:27

Care home manager.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Winter2020 · 06/12/2022 14:31

Work in Children's residential services?
Supervise/vet Foster carers?

Cupofteaplease21 · 06/12/2022 14:33

Winter2020 · 06/12/2022 14:31

Work in Children's residential services?
Supervise/vet Foster carers?

I've done residential, never again! Supervising/vetting foster carers is social work, I've done that too!

OP posts:
Onnabugeisha · 06/12/2022 14:34

Town councillor?

Benes · 06/12/2022 14:36

Careers Adviser?

You can do a postgraduate qualification and your experience would be really valuable.
There are loads of jobs at the moment too

Cornelious · 06/12/2022 14:45

What about teaching on a social work course? Or look at roles in CAMHs. I've seen jobs advertised a 'primary mental health workers' requiring with social work, nursing or a therapeutic qualification.

Cupofteaplease21 · 06/12/2022 14:47

Cornelious · 06/12/2022 14:45

What about teaching on a social work course? Or look at roles in CAMHs. I've seen jobs advertised a 'primary mental health workers' requiring with social work, nursing or a therapeutic qualification.

Thank you, I've not seen any jobs like that? Will have another look.

OP posts:
ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 06/12/2022 14:48

What about pastoral lead in a school? Many schools have non-teaching pastoral staff and your experience with safeguarding would be an absolute winner. It might be underpaid, however, so you would need to look about carefully. Multi-academy trusts, even the small ones, have more flexibility with pay scales.

idonotmind · 06/12/2022 14:53

Work in probation services

Lovemedo345 · 06/12/2022 15:11

Hi OP i was an adult care social worker for 16 years; am currently retraining as CBT therapist via IAPT for NHS. Look it up, you get training paid for plus wage so you wld be able to afford changing. Its hard but definitely worth considering ;social worker is considered a core profession for purposes of IAPT training

JustCheckingItsMine · 06/12/2022 15:13

I switched into HR, had to take some quals once I settled but love it

Cupofteaplease21 · 06/12/2022 15:43

Lovemedo345 · 06/12/2022 15:11

Hi OP i was an adult care social worker for 16 years; am currently retraining as CBT therapist via IAPT for NHS. Look it up, you get training paid for plus wage so you wld be able to afford changing. Its hard but definitely worth considering ;social worker is considered a core profession for purposes of IAPT training

Could i pm you about this please?

OP posts:
yoshiblue · 06/12/2022 16:43

My DH is a clinical psychologist and I personally wouldn't go near that. Competitive to get on the course and then years more study. Agenda for change means you earn a lot less once qualified too. His work is extremely complex as there doesn't seem to be many roles funded now either.

Would you consider something completely different? I was chatted to a previous health professional that has become a computer software engineer at work!

Enterthewolves · 06/12/2022 16:47

Commissioner in the NHS or local authority? Lots of my colleagues moved from social work.

ForestLilac · 06/12/2022 16:51

Amhp?

America12 · 06/12/2022 17:00

Best interest assessor ?

MarkBright · 06/12/2022 17:08

IDVA?

Cupofteaplease21 · 06/12/2022 18:19

Enterthewolves · 06/12/2022 16:47

Commissioner in the NHS or local authority? Lots of my colleagues moved from social work.

What do they do?

OP posts:
AliceinSlumberland · 06/12/2022 18:22

Work for the virtual school in the local authority

EHCP case worker

MindatWork · 06/12/2022 18:24

With a background in social work you could do postgrad qualification in play therapy (or a full MA).

This is the route I’m considering lat the moment but don’t have any professional experience working with children so am starting from scratch!

Look up APAC who run the courses, or BAPT

Cupofteaplease21 · 06/12/2022 18:24

yoshiblue · 06/12/2022 16:43

My DH is a clinical psychologist and I personally wouldn't go near that. Competitive to get on the course and then years more study. Agenda for change means you earn a lot less once qualified too. His work is extremely complex as there doesn't seem to be many roles funded now either.

Would you consider something completely different? I was chatted to a previous health professional that has become a computer software engineer at work!

That's really good to know. I would do something completely different in the provate sector but don't really want to spend years retraining!

OP posts:
Enterthewolves · 06/12/2022 21:14

@Cupofteaplease21 commissioners review services, plan and contract new ones. Work strategically to develop and deliver services for people. www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/what-commissioning-and-how-it-changing

ThatGirlInACountrySong · 06/12/2022 21:17

Prison job? I won't say as an officer but there's many civilian roles