To retrain as a social worker?

[alpinetweed]

I'm interested in doing the two year course (MA) in social work from 2018.

Has anybody done it?

I have quite a lot of relevant experience and a 2:1 degree ... Just worried about how much time it takes, money and childcare considerations!

I'm really interested in social work and have a social care degree and lots of social care experience.

Can ask you social workers what area you work in?

I always wanted to work in child protection but it would involve a lot of driving around and I'm not very confident with that. I'd be interested in what departments don't require lots and lots of driving.

Adult services, maybe hospital discharge? Also MASH teams are office based, but you couldn't do that for your whole career. There are plenty of social workers who use public transport but I'm not going to lie, it's much harder than driving around.
Can you get more driving experience?

Mustbesilverlining

my role in Society ... does not prevent me from encouraging anyone in a career they would love to engage in ... or stops me having an opinion on their success...

Children are the most important Factor here.... the more Social Workers available and training .. is for the better surely ...

I work in mental health social work, hospital based, and driving is not a requirement. That's a rarity in social work though, and all the friends I made during the MA were surprised I'd manage to find a non driving job. I really need to learn to drive if I want to move on from here.

I did the MA as a mature student with two young children (when I started the course they were 5 and 2). It was... intense. Really demanding, really challenging, really worthwhile. During my final placement, juggling what was a full time job, completing the evidence file, essay writing, preparing for dissertation and being a parent was hard work. But, honestly, so totally worth it.

Gemini69

Totally accepted and it is positive that you are sharing your views. However, not being a social worker does prevent you from giving an informed view on the job and all it entails.

Like a previous poster stated, it's no skin of my nose as to whether the OP embarks on training. OP asked for views and as I have extensive knowledge in this area, I am sharing mine. It's good for OP to have a number of views.

Having more workers is positive, however, there are a whole number of changes that are also needed.

Mustbesilverlining

I haven't told you my Occupation....

Most social workers tend to have a postgraduate qualification rather than the BA.

I would advise against Frontline. It's very intense as you are working full time plus doing the same work as on the masters. My best friend dropped out after 6 months because it is so intensive.

Gemini69

I can clearly see that. You referred to your position in society. I pointed out that if you are NOT a social worker then you cant give an informed view on the role.

If you are, then give your informed view to OP, as I'm sure they will find it helpful and informative and as previously mentioned, it's helpful to have variety of views.

Also I agree with those who say a realistic picture needs to be painted.

I'm a newly qualified social worker. It is effing hard. I've been qualified 10 months and have had meltdowns in that time over my work. I've been stressed and cried in the office. There is a severe lack of staff and a lack of resources and a lack of funding. You have deicisions to make where you know that no matter what you choose somebody will be screaming at you on the phone by the end of the day.

It's important that the op knows all this and still wants to apply. There is no point training for however long and finding out at the end that's it's actually a hard job.

I also think that though the MA was extensive it in now way prepared me for the reality of being qualified. My case load as a student was 2. My caseload in my first month as a member of staff was 19.

*no way

I also think that though the MA was extensive it in now way prepared me for the reality of being qualified. My case load as a student was 2. My caseload in my first month as a member of staff was 19.

Bloody hell, that's got to be a failing on your practice educator's part... who thinks a caseload of 2 on your final placement is appropriate?

alltouchedout to be fair I was with a fostering agency where qualified social workers had caseloads of 6.

"also think that though the MA was extensive it in now way prepared me for the reality of being qualified. My case load as a student was 2. My caseload in my first month as a member of staff was 19."

Hmm, this is interesting. So looking back, what do you think your practice educator could have done better? I look at that time as an opportunity where you can really take the time out to learn. But do you think your learning goals should have been to acquire the skills to manage a higher case load? I think there's plenty of time for that when you actually start the job as an ASYE. But do you think you were badly prepared for the reality?

@Gemini69 there could be a million social workers in training... But that doesn't mean local authorities have the money to employ them.

Also social work is about more than saving children... there are millions are adults supported by social workers every day.

In my view social work is beyond rewarding- just ensure you find the right team and get the right support.

I completed a masters and it was paid for via NHS bursary. Tough... beyond my expectations but I was always an average student and managed to survive 😊

Good luck OP.