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 am trying to convince my own dd to become an OT, also concerned about her lack of science

Job roles aside, I'd rather work for the NHS than the LA any day. And I hated working for the NHS. I think more opportunities for private work with OT, but don't know if that's just my area.

I agree with this. A friend is a social worker in Aberdeenshire, which is a smaller area than the Highlands, and she spends a lot of her working time driving.
I'd keep an eye on NHS Scotland jobs and myjob Scotland (for local authority vacancies) and see what type of jobs are coming up and where they're based.

Thanks, I have been having a nosy now and then on NHS Scotland and Highland Council.

Driving through the day to and from clients doesn't bother me, I manage much better (pain wise) with my automatic - and I find driving therapeutic / perfect for head space and self reflection.

I think training as a social worker and then aiming to work on the disabled children's team or older adults team would suit you then. Don't pay to do a bad course.

Social work IS stressful. I've worked in social work child protection /OA and mental health SW.... I've also worked alongside OTs...

Social work IMHO is much more interesting...

I used to work with OTs and Social Work assistants in a (physical/mental) Rehabilitation inpatient centre, unfortunately it closed down due to funding. My all time favourite job - I was a support worker at the time. This was before my spinal injury.

I'm an OT. To answer some of your questions:

• don't worry about science as this is a very small part of the course
• no-one will care where you qualify, just that you are HCPC registered
• lots of OT jobs don't involve lifting and those that do, you get trained in using various pieces of equipment
• lots of OT jobs don't involve shifts - those that do tend to be hospital-based
• I work with ND children for my job (I have two myself) and love it
• As someone who has worked with SW and has them in the family, SW is fair more stress for about the same pay as OT

My son's OT has false nails and massive false eyelashes as well

I want to train as an OT. I have a feeling OT is increasing as a field and will be more in demand. I think it can have such wide reaching applications that it could really help a lot more groups than currently have access to it.

I am fully aware these are lofty visions and I may not ever end up fulfilling them but either way it's my aim, when DS2 (also ND) needs me a bit less of the time.

D's OT input (along with SALT) is probably the most valuable element of her EOTAS package. Huge demand for OTs here as numbers of EOTAS packages rise as schools become less accessible to ND students so I would vote OT.

Sorry I missed this. I have a friend I made on the course who has physical disabilities and she graduated and works in MH now. Chat to the uni first. Considering the subject, they should be supportive and plan appropriate placements etc 😃

As a job I would prefer OT but in my local authority (Scotland) they got rid of lots of OT roles and used the OT’s to fill vacant social work posts, I work with 2 of the OT’s this happened to, something to be mindful of

As a nurse who works with both OTs and SWs very closely (I work on a rehab unit, also alot of patients going through guardianship process), I would 100% say OT.

Wouldn't go for sw @IDidTheButcher any reading of mn will show how children and families sw are demonised for actually doing anything, older adults sw are evil, neglectful, murderers for not doing what the family want on demand.

SW have an impossible job. OT is much less stress

I am an OT and also work with SWs.
I don't have science GCSE and had to resit maths. I had work experience in care homes and an OU degree (BA). I also have health problems and had small children at the time.
Uni was very little science... much more psychology and social science. I was quite disappointed!
Many OT jobs don't involve heavy lifting (hospital does eg stroke, trauma, some community OT equip will do as they see bedbound pts and carry and fit items). Some jobs are generic eg care coordinator and mental health practitioner and can be done by SW or OT.

I have worked in adult physical health in hospital and community teams and now am in an acute (locked) ward for mental health. I love MH but glad I did physical health first to get the skills in equipment etc. MH can be challenging eg we can end up involved in restraints etc in acute wards/picu . There is a lot of group work which I like and a lot of report writing and meetings.

Good points are; very rewarding work, can progress up the bands to relatively good pay, very varied career options, quite good hours unless working for urgent care or hospital rotations. Very possible to work part time (especially at band 6 and above).

Bad points; can be less respected by some professionals, can feel a bit wooley eg jack of all trades due to it's varied options, can end up as a gap filler until you specialise. It can be gruelling dealing with people's raw emotions when they have been suffering either from severe accidents or illness and in MH often with massive trauma history.

Social work seems similar to NHS OT in terms of heavy caseloads, short staffed, increased family demands, poor resources etc. Im not sure i could do it!

I work alongside both in England. OTs are far more in demand and seem to have less stress than the social workers who are saying their caseloads are dangerous.