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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Social work

37 replies

Itsallaboutthebenjamins · 13/04/2022 09:41

So i need a change of career. I earn well but its bad for the soul, cant take it anymore. Have the opportunity to retrain after a small inheritance and I am considering open university to study social work degree alongside working part time which I need to do to maintain the household. I don't already have a degree but do have some credits i could potentially transfer from professional qualifications which i understand might speed up the time it takes to do the degree. My question is to social workers - is it worth getting in to? How is the job day to day? Thanks

OP posts:
PinkWisteria · 13/04/2022 13:31

Unfortunately the Open University Social work degree requires an employer sponsor who is able to support your practice and provide the required placements, so you may need to explore other options to qualify. My career as a social worker/manager and latterly Learning and Development consultant in children's services spanned over 35 years - it is a tough but rewarding career. I would definitely advise getting some relevant experience so if you go into this, it is with eyes open.

mill1969 · 13/04/2022 13:38

Do you think SW won't be bad for the soul? ( I say this as a SW of tooooo many years! )

pastypirate · 13/04/2022 13:39

@mill1969

Do you think SW won't be bad for the soul? ( I say this as a SW of tooooo many years! )
That's what I thought I'm a sw too
Lunalae · 13/04/2022 15:46

If your soul hurts don't go into social work. You need to be extremely resilient to wallow in the most evil our society has to offer, whilst also being paid absolutely peanuts. So you'll be miserable and poor.

Why not keep being paid well and look for a job that pays more but doesn't have the stress of your current job? Too many chuck in decent jobs to become social workers/assistants/care workers and just end up being treated even worse for slave wages.

Original poster
Itsallaboutthebenjamins · 13/04/2022 16:57

Hmm ok clearly i need to think it through further! My job is bad for the soul because its not helping anyone - i am extremely resilient as I'm also a Samaritan and i used to also be a special constable. I'd rather feel like I'm actually doing something in the world during my working life.

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsallaboutthebenjamins · 13/04/2022 16:58

@Lunalae

If your soul hurts don't go into social work. You need to be extremely resilient to wallow in the most evil our society has to offer, whilst also being paid absolutely peanuts. So you'll be miserable and poor.

Why not keep being paid well and look for a job that pays more but doesn't have the stress of your current job? Too many chuck in decent jobs to become social workers/assistants/care workers and just end up being treated even worse for slave wages.

Current job pays well but isnt stressful - easy actually but does nothing for me really except pay the bills.
OP posts:
EV117 · 13/04/2022 17:07

No one I know who does social work enjoys it - they care so much about what they do, they have the best intentions and I know do the best they can but for reasons beyond their control it is very stressful and certainly not ‘good for the soul’. It’s quite heartbreaking to see really. Don’t be lured in by the flowery adverts you hear on the radio, I’d go in with caution…

Whatinthelord · 13/04/2022 17:14

I did SW for 6 years. I’m still registered but no longer work in a SW role, but in a linked position in a charity.

If SW appeals to you because you think it’ll give you a sense of doing a worthwhile job I think you’d be disappointed. SW often do save lives and do a worthwhile and important job…..but while you are a SW it doesn’t feel worth while. It feels like you are constantly at conflict with everyone, fighting against the system for what’s best for the people you work with and sacrificing your own well-being and family needs for your job.

I love SW…..but it’s just awful with the current state of social care.

Unless you intend to train and work for charities etc….that might be better.

Lastqueenofscotland · 13/04/2022 17:14

I know a few social workers and unfortunately they all don’t like it or are looking to leave.
My friend was explaining how children killed by their parents get overlooked /opportunities missed to help - you could have time for two/three urgent cases that day and you’ll get 8 land on your desk, you make a mistake because you are so overworked and then become subject of a nation witch hunt as that day you prioritised a 12 year old who’d told their teacher they were being raped by their dad over a toddler with suspicious injuries reported by a GP.
The pay isn’t fantastic and it really isn’t “helping” people from what I hear, it’s just relentless firefighting and hoping you don’t drop a ball while trying to do four persons workload.

Member869894 · 13/04/2022 17:18

I advise social workers and from what j see they work ridiculously long hours, have stupidly large caseloads and are trying to support families at a time when support services are in crisis, homelessness is at an all time high and poverty is widespread. I can't think of a worse career to enter

ghostyslovesheets · 13/04/2022 17:35

@Member869894

I advise social workers and from what j see they work ridiculously long hours, have stupidly large caseloads and are trying to support families at a time when support services are in crisis, homelessness is at an all time high and poverty is widespread. I can't think of a worse career to enter
I work along side social work teams - I have never experienced such a haemorrhage of good, skilled and experienced staff as we have had in the past 6 months - trying to do good work in a broken system is soul destroying
Member869894 · 13/04/2022 17:57

I work along side social work teams - I have never experienced such a haemorrhage of good, skilled and experienced staff as we have had in the past 6 months - trying to do good work in a broken system is soul
destroying

Yes I see the same and i couldn't agree more

Astrak · 13/04/2022 18:32

Don't even think about it. I was a children and families social worker for the best part of fifty years. The first twenty were brilliant. The next ten, manageable. The last twenty heart breaking. In the end, my professional standards were being so badly compromised that I left. The money was good, but nothing could compensate for the 48 hour days, the lost weekends and the fear of not being able to prevent a child being killed or seriously injured. On my watch, none ever were, but, with several cases, it was a near run thing.

PonyPatter44 · 13/04/2022 18:38

What about Probation? You're still "helping", but its not as harrowing as Social Work. Probation is absolutely crying out for good people,and its really, really interesting stuff. You can do court work, community work or custody work. You train on the job as a PQiP, but you could use the inheritance to boost your income until you qualify.

uhtredsonofuhtred1 · 13/04/2022 18:49

I've just got a year left of my social work degree. I've done a couple of placements and am currently in a part time job as a housing support worker to prevent homelessness. I can't wait to qualify and start work as a social worker!

Is there a job you can do that had some kind of involvement in the area of social work you'd like to go into just so you can see how the teams work? Im under no illusions of the hard work and frustrations but I'm really looking forward to my next placement and subsequent career

mrziggycoco · 13/04/2022 19:31

@Lunalae

If your soul hurts don't go into social work. You need to be extremely resilient to wallow in the most evil our society has to offer, whilst also being paid absolutely peanuts. So you'll be miserable and poor.

Why not keep being paid well and look for a job that pays more but doesn't have the stress of your current job? Too many chuck in decent jobs to become social workers/assistants/care workers and just end up being treated even worse for slave wages.

Don't forget the buck stopping at you when things go badly wrong, instead of your superiors, who get payoffs and new gigs.
TellySavalashairbrush · 13/04/2022 19:36

Please ignore the advice about going into probation. That is almost as horrendous. Massive case loads and only ten minutes to spend with the clients, so nothing can really be achieved. I’d honestly stick to a job that’s stress free and well paid.

Deedee121 · 13/04/2022 20:04

I've worked in the social care area for 25yrs and worked alongside social workers. Most of it is fire fighting and not preventative work. I think it is soul destroying work.

Would you consider psychotherapy?

ItsDinah · 13/04/2022 20:28

The problem with "worthwhile" or "prestige" jobs is that they often don't feel like that when you actually work in them. I've met many career-changers who have been deeply shocked by the reality of their new job. The anticipated ego boost quickly dies. Special Constable and Social worker suggest that you' re drawn to highly responsible jobs dealing with people. Both are a manifestation of the state's authority but have a poor public image. There are lots of mundane occupations that can be put to worthy use on a volunteer basis. e.g. there are organisations that give free tax advice. Is there anything like that for your field?

Hairyfairy01 · 13/04/2022 20:35

I have every respect for social workers but no idea why anyone would want to become one in the current climate.
Take a look at the 'mature study and retraining' section under 'education' on MN OP. Lots of people changing careers and studying on there. Have you considered one of the allied health professionals?

CrowAndArrow · 13/04/2022 20:43

I don't disagree with anyone except that I love it. 25 very happy and rewarding years.

Original poster
Itsallaboutthebenjamins · 13/04/2022 22:37

Thank you everyone I'm reading and digesting all the replies and will reply properly tomorrow now

OP posts:
MissM2912 · 13/04/2022 22:46

I have been working in social care for 15 years- senior management level. Not a social worker but work closely with them. Have worked in homelessness and children and families.
The sad reality is that when someone is badly broken- you can’t really fix them. I can honestly say being around misery every day makes you kind of dark and cynical and completely desensitised to trauma.
If you want to help try volunteering and dip in and out. But to submerge yourself- don’t do it x

JaceLancs · 13/04/2022 22:53

Look at charity jobs
I work in the advocacy sector - feel good factor and less burn out - but may not pay enough!
I’m very senior management now so pay better but that’s matched by stress level

nomorefrogs · 13/04/2022 23:06

Social work is a very under resourced field that is brutal and challenging. It is almost impossible to have a good work/life balance and protect your own mental health. You are hated by everyone and if you don't have a complaint you are doing well. Finding your niche is tough. Many of my peers have been broken by the work and cry everyday before they get into the office.