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Higher education

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Original poster

Becoming a social worker

101 replies

debbs77 · 03/03/2017 21:12

I'm looking to study a BA in Social WORK with a view to eventually becoming a social worker.

I've been a full time mum for 13 years and always wanted to work in the health sector. Always wanted to be a midwife but as a single mum the study and placements etc make it impossible for now.

I'd like to be a social worker and perhaps look further later on in to end of life care.

Have anyone done this? Can anyone recommend somewhere for distance learning?

OP posts:
Braceybracegirl · 03/03/2017 21:14

I'm a social worker and I adore my job. It's tough at times and the pressure is ridiculous but very rewarding. Good luck!

30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:15

Yup. It's a great, varied and wonderful job. I love it. I started my course, qualified and got a job while a single mum of a baby I gave birth to at the beginning of my course.

It's doable. There's loads of ways to get in to social work which take only a year and a half. I strongly recommend frontline.

Original poster
debbs77 · 03/03/2017 21:17

Ah that's amazing to hear!!!

Will take a look at front line now .

I'm a mum of six, so thought that while they're young is the time to study!

OP posts:
Braceybracegirl · 03/03/2017 21:19

You have 6 kids? Wow! I'm in adoption so not frontline but best to do frontline work to start with at least .

30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:21

Make sure you actually want to be a social worker though. So many people go into just because it sounds great. He job i found was more mundane than I was expecting with much more paper work and I didn't appreciate how much 'managing' was involved in it.

I love my job but probably wouldn't have done it had I known what it entailed.

There's a mental health Adults route similar to 'frontline' can't remember what it's called without google.

Just don't go the university route. The fast track routes with two statutory placements are the best.

wizzywig · 03/03/2017 21:21

What is frontline work?

Original poster
debbs77 · 03/03/2017 21:22

Am I right in thinking that frontline is following the degree?

Yes I do, and I'm sooooooo ready to move forwards and build a career! I'm often limited as I'm a single mum with no childcare or support but this should get easier as they get older x

OP posts:
TeaBelle · 03/03/2017 21:22

If oh want to focus on end of life care then you may want to lean towards adult services, but as the degree is generic you don't need to decide now. The great thing about placements is opening your eyes to a range of options for work

30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:23

'Frontline' is just the name of the social worker programme that qualifies you as a social worker in a year and a half.

It has a very high employment rate as you spend almost the entire time in a child protection team learning on the job, so real work experience.

The other option is a 2 year masters with the chance of doing two practice placements without any statutory experience and ending up unemploymabke through lack of experience.

30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:24

Think ahead is the adults equivalent to frontline.

It's a brilliant programme.

TeaBelle · 03/03/2017 21:25

Do you not have to do a statutory placement within the masters as you do for the ba? Our local authority employs a high % of students who do their final placement with us (children's services)

30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:27

No, many students end up qualifying with no statutory placement. I think in wales they only do statutory placements but England it's common for people to qualify with none.

None statutory placements shouldnt even exist but that's another discussion.

30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:28

I had to fight tooth and nail for a statutory placement. Glad I did though.

Good luck OP.

Original poster
debbs77 · 03/03/2017 21:29

I already have a Bsc degree but only got a third, so wouldn't qualify for Frontline for what I can see.

I applied to be a foster carer but was turned down unfortunately.

I hope I'm not just being romantic about the job. It's possible! I just really need to get started on my future !

OP posts:
Original poster
debbs77 · 03/03/2017 21:32

Think Ahead looks brilliant! But I can't commit to the hours

OP posts:
dataandspot · 03/03/2017 21:33

30 something

How do you do it in 18 months?

dataandspot · 03/03/2017 21:34

Cross post!

mycatseatgourmet · 03/03/2017 21:35

Subbing !

Original poster
debbs77 · 03/03/2017 21:40

Not sure who would be the best distance learning provider either

OP posts:
30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:43

Ah if you got a third you will have to go the university route. Part time is doable. But would take more than 2 years.

Full time isn't too bad. Lectures only last a few hours each day and it's just a total of 12 months full time placement. 6 months each year.

I did the PgDip which is the masters minus the dissertation and one module. Still qualifies you but In a year and a half.

The course did not run smooth for me though. It took me four years to qualify and I had to wait ages for a placement so be prepared for that.

dataandspot · 03/03/2017 21:43

Frontline says you need 240 minimum UCAS points.

I have a, b,c and that only gives me 120.

Am I missing something?

30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:44

To do the year and a half route you need to do th postgraduate diploma in social work not the masters. Most units offer it but don't tell you as the fees are much less!

30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:44

You need a BA degree at 2:1 to do frontline. It's a postgraduate only programme

Original poster
debbs77 · 03/03/2017 21:44

I don't mind part time as I also still need to work (I work from home so can manage study and working). Plus I still have until next September before my youngest goes to school x

OP posts:
30somethingella · 03/03/2017 21:44

Same with think ahead

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