What else can I use social work degree for?

[Shallysally]

I’m done with the social work career. Burnt out, no motivation, sick of the toxic environment with managers continually piling the pressure on.

I’ve been looking at other jobs but there are few that have a decent salary that I fit the spec for.

I’ve been looking at the civil service fast stream for policy research but really not sure if I have the brain power to learn so much.

Any ideas please?

Any areas with a safeguarding element may be interested but salaries don't tend to be high eg our old diocesan safeguarding officers a former social worker but the c of e doesn't exactly pay well as you mentioned salary. Other large charities involving children may have similar as will older adults charities possibly

Nothing that pays anything like :( I've checked

There is a former SW in my team who trained as family therapist.

Are you a C and F social worker? If so Cafcass or independent sw?

@CameronStrike it’s so depressing isn’t it?

@3WildOnes thanks for the idea. I feel like I’m done with families in general. I hate to admit it but my empathy is at an all time low.
I’d happily take a job in a supermarket/florists/wherever right now.

@Pottingup no, I work with adults.

What about CBT counselling? My friend left social social work to do that as the NHS offers paid post graduate training for certain professions including social workers. The training salary is about the same as what she was on as a social worker and once qualified she'll be better paid.

@Wibblywobblybobbly that could be worth a try. Thank you!

The NHS often has safeguarding type roles that aren't particularly public facing but still use your social work knowledge and skills e.g. in investigating a poor discharge or providing information at a local authority safeguarding meeting.

Alternatively commissioning/governance type roles in the local authority or perhaps CQC?

Also have a look at civilian roles with the police.

@SafeguardingSocialWorker thank you. I’ve looked at CQC, they are recruiting inspectors so may apply.

Going to have a look at the NHS job site later.

Lecturer on social work courses like the Open University had vacancies in Scotland recently.

Not sure if you'll have missed the deadline for this year as the courses start on 1 January each year. It's offered loads of places nationwide.

My Indeed jobs search feed sends me loads of jobs each day that require a SW degree. I don’t have one and keep telling the algorithm that!

A social work qualification is really portable and can open lots of doors. You could look at jobs in governance or professional associations (eg BASW) , research bodies (eg Research in Practice), many local authorities have learning and development roles in social work, you could look at inspection work or work in a social policy think tank - they all pay salaries commensurate with main grade social work roles as a minimum. Moving into the third sector in a policy or research role can be a good move too. If you're in Scotland I could give more specific ideas but there are loads of non-practice roles where a social work degree is a definite advantage, if not a requirement.

Prison officer, probation officer? You'd be trained again, but they'd all love a SW ticket.

I feel for you OP. I've just retired after 41 years and it was time. I recognise the pressure from managers, who themselves are pressured from above. The tick boxing and bean counting have got out of hand.

You'll find the same in probation - I have friends who are burnt out POs.

There's loads out there for you if you want to stay in what might be social care focused withing the various inspection bodies, MARAC and MAPPA.

Good luck. I hope you find what you are looking for.

If you still have the passion for the services but don't want to be direct hands on then research or consulting could be a really good fit. Others have covered research type think tanks but there are some specific consultancies that specialise ok social care (sometimes with charitable status) and others that have public sector practices. You'd have to be able to demonstrate service improvement / management and it certainly wouldn't be slow paced / not busy but your experience would be really valuable and it would be a complete change

Teach in Further education? Do adult teaching qualification on the job. The pay is rubbish, but rewarding, if that's your sort of thing!

@Jellycatspyjamas

can you be more specific for those in Scotland looking to escape SW?

I left SW for similar reasons.

Lecturing - I got part time work at local college and made loads a dosh as I was paid pro rata.
Voluntary agencies. I acted as peripatetic personnel bod for a voluntary agency finding work placements for people with disabilities.
Other organisations - I finished up working for a media company on a magazine for Travellers. I had photography and computer skills and they valued my SW background as they thought I would know how to deal with any difficult situations I might find myself in - which I did!
I also had music skills and worked organising singing workshops for people with disadvantages (mental ill health, age etc.) - my SW were valued and recognised there.

Think laterally!

Yep, you could try IRISS or Celcis, both recruit social workers for research and policy posts, the NSPCC have some policy and research posts based in Scotland, Care Inspectorate actively recruit social workers too and there are some interesting roles in SSSC. You could also look at Children's Hearing Scotland if you have a children and families background they have some good leadership and development roles particularly given the review that's under way. Also keep an eye on the office of chief social work adviser (OCSWA) Scottish Association of Social Work and Social Work Scotland for interesting development type roles. They all pay at a reasonable rate and actively look for social workers, for obvious reasons, just think about your transferable skills.

Have you considered working in a university? We have mental health mentors who need to be from a professional background such as social work. They support students with mental health conditions.

A social work qualification is accepted for working as a specialist mentor in higher education.

The job is supporting disabled students 1:1 with things like planning, goal setting etc. It is funded by the DSA for students with MH conditions usually, but also long term health conditions and ASC.

Police? Friend of mine went into a direct entry programme- as a social worker she was snapped up for their safeguarding unit.

few years later she’s pretty high up. Superintendent level I think if not higher.

she never had to do the boots on the ground policing, it’s all management and decision making which she is excellent at, and thriving.

says they’re desperate for people with safeguarding expertise as it’s now a massive part of policing, and they struggle to recruit from the ranks.