...to have a career change to become a social worker?

[BimbleBingle]

I'm currently working in finance - I've worked hard to get where I am, and have a comfortable salary.

I've always been interested in working in social work, and feel like it's a suitable time to consider a career change. I'm motivated by the thought of being able to have a positive impact on people's lives, but I'm conscious I may have rose-tinted spectacles on.

I have friends who are teachers and have completely burnt out after a few years, despite starting their careers full of high hopes and energy, as the system seems broken. I'm unsure whether being a social worker may be similar - are there any social workers out there that can share their experiences?

It can be full-filling but more of us burn out than not. I’m resilient and been in the job 14 years but by god it’s taken it’s toll.

I agree with this - and particularly the comments about the OP going in with their eyes open and asking others who are involved in social work for their views. There's no substitute for opinions of those at the sharp end.

The OP mentions having 'a positive impact' and this is good, but I think for anyone considering going into an occupation such as medical, social work or teaching the first step is to know yourself as a person and ask yourself some tough questions. What are your expectations of social work - and are they realistic (talking to others will help with this one)? In which field of social work would you like to work? Will you be able to cope with the amount of pressure on you, both at the training stage and when you've qualified and have a caseload? Can you separate your emotions from your professional life, how easy to do you find it to 'switch off' when you leave work, after what might have been a difficult day?

I think knowing yourself is the first step - then do as much prior investigation as possible into what the work involves. Wishing you luck, whatever you decide.

I'm a social worker (with adults) and I love it, but the pay is crap for the amount of responsibility.

I've done it for well over a decade (nearly two in fact). I would say it is currently in a bit of a downturn in adult social care because care services are in a mess post brexit and post covid which in turn makes the social work role very difficult and when things get tough people leave in droves.

We have also been left in limbo by the government about important legal frameworks that need overhauling and aren't being because its too difficult/ not vote winning.

It's important to me though to give a voice to the most vulnerable adults in the community, and you meet a whole range of amazing people with amazing stories along the way.

A lot of social work with adults though is accepting that you can't often fix the problem totally, but you can try and make someone's 'new normal' a little better and more liveable.

Not trying to put you off social work but also have a look at occupational therapy as well as a comparator.

Thanks so much for sharing this.

And thanks to everyone else for their messages, this has been really helpful! x

Did you do Social Work in the end? I’m thinking of doing the same with Frontline and reading with great interest. Have two kids. One starting Y7 in September and one doing GCSEs next year. Prior to this I’ve been part time and they’ve got very used to me being around! I’m a Primary Teacher but have been teaching children with ACES and excluded from mainstream for the past 3 years. I have built positive relationships with them and their families and also carried out home visits. This was the part of my job I liked the most. They all had social workers which is what has made me rethink my career. I would love to hear from any Social Workers who’ve done the 3 years Frontline training or any Social Workers. Also, I’m 49 years old so I will be a mature student. Would also like to hear from those who’ve started training later in life. Thanks!