Volunteering fpr Social work

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Hello everyone.

I am hoping to start either an MA or get on the Step Up to Social work programme in 2015. The reason for the delay is because I need experience working with children and families and a maths GCSE (ugh) in order to be accepted on either course.

I was just wondering if anyone has any experiences of volunteering in this area prior to doing an MA in social work, and what you did? I'm feeling a bit daunted as I don't actually have any experience working with children.

Thanks for reading.

I worked in a hostel for young teenagers as a volunteer. I also did a lot of care work, both in res homes and the community. How about becoming a home start volunteer?

Does the experience have to be with children? A lot of mine was with adults, I still got on to the MA with that, and could choose direction once on the course. Have you got a degree already?

Thanks BrianTheMole. Yes I do have a degree. Its drama related which isn't the best choice I made, but I guess there is a lot of transferable skills.

For the step up scheme and some MA's you must have experience working with children and families, and i am interested in working for child protection (eventually). It definitely will be useful to volunteer with adults and teenagers as well as though, and this is something I will be looking into. Thanks for the heads up with Homestart.

Has anyone participated in befriending schemes? This is something that has popped up numerous times on volunteering sites.

Thanks

Have you thought about Frontline as well? It's a pilot at the moment but you get your SW qualification in a year and then have a year AYSE on a child protection team.