Can I train to be a social worker?

[custardcream73]

I hope it is okay to post this here, this board seems to get a lot of traffic.

I have decided I would like to train to be a social worker. I have been a foster carer for the past 8 years and due to circumstances i will no longer be fostering anymore children. So I’ve decided to apply to go to university after the summer and get my social worker degree (I currently live in Scotland).

I’m just wondering if I would get a job easy enough. My friend has said as fostering is not classed as social care, it won’t be classed as experience, and I could find it difficult to get a job.

Does anyone have any knowledge/experience of this?

I have no idea how I have created a poll. Sorry!

As it's such a placement heavy course, you'll end up with 200 days experience by the end (if you're doing a BA course at least). Loads of students get their first role in the authority that they complete their final.placement in.

I'm not sure about Scotland but in England any social worker will get a job, they are so understaffed. I doubt it's much better in Scotland, I think you'll be fine. Also interesting that the probation system in Scotland falls under social care so wider options.

Is this in Scotland? I know it’s a 4 year course here? Is there plenty of jobs and will they class my time as a foster carer as experience?

4 years course in Scotland, fostering is a lot of experience you can draw upon. You should check out the required qualifications to gain entry (in addition to application/interview)
there are many jobs however you may have to take a field that is not your first choice to build up experience after you qualify.
it is a great rewarding job but also stressful and challenging.

Thank you. I do want to work in children and families, so I am hoping my time as a foster carer, will be considered as experience.

Why would you need pre uni experience when the degree is the thing that lets you work as a social worker? A lot of social workers don’t have pre uni experience, and get jobs fine, but fostering is past of the social services system so you do have some anyway. It’ll be fine.

I would certainly take that into account, it’s an invaluable experience imo.
good luck

Absolutely your fostering experience is relevant (retired SW manager / trainer).

Your time as a foster carer will help you get a place on the course. It will give you lots of lived experience and help you understand what it’s like on the other side.

When you are applying for jobs after the course it will be nice experience to have but it’s not going to change your entry level, as obviously it’s not social work experience. But it’s certainly relevant experience and will be seen as a positive through out your career