Torn, ...can't decide between Social Work & OT?

[IDidTheButcher]

I have interests in doing an Ug Degree in Social Work, or Occupational Therapy, I'd like to move to the Scottish Highlands one day and currently have three 'neurospicy' DC. I mention all this as I need to try and make the most suitable decision moving forwards, considering the career demand in the Highlands, alongside my children's need for a good work/family balance.

I would need to return to study as a mature learner doing an A2HE before applying and on paper am suited to both fields, with life experience in SW and work experience in Rehabilitation/OT, though I have no Science quals (nor GCSEs in Science) and understand the OT degree is a MSc - makes me a bit nervy and anxious about whether I'd be capable.

Any thoughts, insights or even better - OTs or Social Workers that could share their thoughts would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks

I Wonder is social work more involved in difficult situations than OT, needing alit of analysis and in-depth thought and difficult decisions. both professions, I’ve great respect for.. but OT seems more factual about measurements and defining support needed. Social workers may have to find that support.. Be careful of care burnout, with neuro spicy teens at home, I’d pick OT, for that reason.

Given the choice I think OT would be better hours and less stressful. The SW I know end up trapped working late as situations unfold.

Both great jobs.
Both achieve great things.
I think OT is possibly a bit less emotionally draining. But a bit physically harder. Hoicking wheel chairs and hoists into Fiestas.
Also sometimes, just sometimes, OTs can make a huge difference to a client in a moment with the right aid or adaptation which must be very rewarding.
Good luck in choosing. The most sensible people I work with are SWs and PAMs

OT all the way! Better pay better conditions more progression and better working hours

Are you thinking of a specific area of social work? I think that will make a huge difference to the advice you may get.

I voted for OT mainly because as a library worker, I see what our social workers (who work in my branch) have to deal with.
unless you have an endless well of energy and compassion and are at the same time very thick skinned, I can’t recommend it. The plus is that you’d be very actively helping. So if you’re a person who loves to feel needed, maybe it would be a fit.
if you’ve worked with the unhoused and you know how it is and are still drawn to the work, go for it. We certainly need social workers … but Its so hard at times.

Quite. Children’s? I’d rather eat my own head. Older people? Maybe if you like it.

Hi OP. I'm an OT. I chose OT as I was interested in both physical and mental health. I worked in physical health hospitals to start then moved to older person's mental health where I now manage a community team. I wouldn't choose social work due to the amount of shit they get tbh! Plus I love OT! In MH there can be some equipment prescribing etc but it's more about working with clients on what occupations are important to them, and coming up with interventions to support this either by modifying the activity, environmental adaptations or rehabilitation techniques. As the majority of our clients have a cognitive impairment we work with their families a lot too. We work with clients one on one and run groups. I love the variety of roles open to OT's and would definitely choose it as a career again if I were starting over 😀

Oh and if you already have a degree you can accelerate your training by doing a 2 year masters, but a 3 year OT degree is still an option. OT apprenticeships now exist too but likely harder to get into if you not already working in an organisation that offers them.

Have a look at how many band 5 or 6 OT jobs for new graduates are available in the area you want to live, and whether there is a big local course, because sometimes in some areas there can be bottlenecks of too many graduate OTs looking for too few jobs to get on the first rung of the ladder.

What type of SW/OT are you interested in? I work in in adult services in a multidisciplinary team supporting older adults, we have OTs & SWs as well as lots of other roles. OT support with equipment/aids/adaptations and also will assess for small packages of care. SW will assess for the more complex cases. There are lots of opportunities for progression in our department but most of those do not require either degree are are better paid tbh.

OTs can make life changing improvements for young people with SEND.

All the social workers I know are hugely stressed and over worked.

I’m a retired nurse for people with learning disabilities.

I spent my working life in the community with my client group and it was a hugely enjoyable career.

The main difference between learning disability nursing vs other fields of nursing is that you are working with people who are, in the main, well and extremely positive.

I can honestly say that out of thousands of clients over the years I could count those I didn’t really like on the fingers of one hand. Everybody else was absolutely lovely.

Not something I can say of the non learning disabled population.

So why not consider a nursing degree with this specialism?

The role contains elements of social work and occupational therapy amongst other things so may well be just what you want.

We have an SW and an OT in our wider family, being an OT is much less stressful and the pay seems very similar.

Your future choice of location may be an issue. Given it’s not a highly populated area you may well find it difficult to gain employment, and once you do your client group would presumably be located across a large area - you could end up driving several hours each day.

I am potentially open to all fields, but my previous working experience is with Adults/Elderly, so was considering going down this route with Social Work, though wouldn't be completely opposed to Children's. Though, in a more rural location, there is potential for my children to share the same school as families on my caseload - which I am not sure about due to the nature of Child Protection - this idea steers me away from CP - that said, my youngest DC is 7yo so by the time I graduate they'd either be in, or almost in secondary school, maybe not as big of a problem?

Im neither a SW nor OT but I am a mental health nurse and have spent years working alongside both. If I was to choose, I'd go for OT. It seems less stressful somehow, and I know this is bad but the public perception of SWs is not the best . It always struck me as an interesting career as it utilises practical solutions to problems. If I wasn't a nurse and freewheeling to retirement, I'd consider it!

Thanks @PissedDog ,

I worry OT will be too physical, as I have spinal protrusions causing masses of pain at times - managed with painkillers and epidurals, I'll no doubt have surgery in the future - but again - don't want to commit to something that flaws me or worsens my condition - it's one reason I wouldn't/couldn't do nursing, my back would just crumble. Do you think it's overly physical for someone in my situation?

A lot appeals to me with OT, areas of interest for me in OT are with supporting the elderly / or disabled, or children with sensory needs/ASD. Again, open to all areas though.

Thanks @Whitehorses67 ,

LD nursing isn't something I've looked into in any detail if I'm honest, as nursing in 'general' I feel may take its toll on me physically, is it physically demanding? I don't know a lot about it.

I really love the idea of working in the community which is one reason OT / SW appeal to me, I don't want to be stuck in one work place, also like that some of these roles offer Hybrid working (from home).

I will do some research re: LD Nursing, thanks. 😊

I'd go for OT. Social Work seems unbearably stressful. The volume of work is insanely unrealistic; not having the necessary back up to give the support people so badly need is deeply frustrating, not to mention the extreme emotional stress of dealing all day every day with people at the brink, in desperate circumstances, and in danger yourself of being on the receiving end of violence and abuse from clients.

OT can still be stressful. A friend recently moved jobs into a unit providing OT for violent in-patients. Not enough training or support. But if it doesn't work out she can always move back to a less challenging environment.

I agree

I’m a SW and absolutely love it, however I have never done child protection or court work which is the really draining stuff. I work with teenagers which works well for me. I wouldn’t do it with any of my own children still in primary but doesn’t sound like you’d have that issue. But really go with your head rather than your heart, OT sounds like it has more prospects!

Something to also consider (don’t come at me) we have a top Uni for SW and a ‘pants’ uni for OT.

Pants in the league tables, like, really really really low - not even on the league tables 😬

Not the be all and end all but something else to add to the mix.

I think my main concerns with OT are -

… Is it to physical for my own physical restrictions?

…Is it too science based for my skills set?

…Will I cope with potential shift patterns?

(silly one-but half true)… Will I be happy not being able to have false nails on 💅🏻 😬

Have you shadowed any OTs - maybe mental health OT in a community team might be a better fit if you are not keen / able to manage the physical aspects.