Career Advice please....

[Patttsy2001]

Hi Everyone,

It has been a long time since I have been on Mumsnet boards. So much going on at home haven't made the time. Anyway, I wonder if anyone can give me some careers advice...

I am thinking of changing careers from an accountant to a social worker. I am willing to study for the degree and am thinking about doing some volunteer work to strengthen my application. What I need to know it is who (if anyone) will pay for the degree? I haven't been to university before and will be going as a mature student. I have childcare costs that will be incurred when I go. Does anyone know where I can find out about whether there is any returning to education schemes that could possibly help me?

I am born and bred in the UK. I have 'A' levels and my accountancy qualification. I have been home caring for my children for over 5 years, although not registered as unemployed.

Any points would be useful.

Thanks Patttsy2001

Probably someone else knows more about this than me, but (in case they don't!), here goes:

As I understand it, as a mature student you will be entitled to loans, grants (i they re-introduce them) and the course fee waiver, unless you have a reasonable income from other sources. Because you have a child / children, you will also be entitled to some benefits, including housing benefit. There may be something for childcare too, and the people to ask would be your local benefits office or county council.

This is based on how the system used to work when they still had grants (paid by your county council). Possibly it would be wise to visit the CAB too in case I'm missing something. But rest assured, there is something for you.

You may also like to pop to the library at your local university too to look up foundations who sponsor students through university. There may well be one for students in your situation (there are loads of them and all very specific - I'm sure there's a foundation to help students studying astro-physics whose parents both have army disability pensions or something).

Best of luck anyway - I have the utmost respect for anyone who would think of becoming a Social Worker. They are probably the most villified of all our essential workers.

Pattsy2001 - I wish you the best of luck, I trained as a social worker many, many years ago but never took it up - far too daunting!!

I would phone social services direct, be persistant & ask (or better still, perhaps write?) to speak to the director of social services to find out what the options are. As I understand it, social workers are in serious short supply so I am sure there would be some sort of financial help available. My MIL re-trained as a social worker (again, a long time ago) & was funded as a 'mature student' & went on to have a very enjoyable & successful (stressful at times) career.

There is an excellent general website www.prospects.ac.uk. Try your local universities career department they often have good libraries with lots of information in them. I think there is a link to them on the prospects website
helen

Pattsy, agree with others in saying "go for it"! Re. childcare - check out Working Families Tax Credits for help with costs of childcare. Also, would definitely advise you to get going with some voluntary work as this will stand you in good stead with getting onto a suitable course. As you have obviously gained valuable experience looking after your own little ones see if there is a local Homestart scheme near you. They are a national network of local schemes set up to match volunteers who have experience of parenting / grandparenting / caring for families with local families under stress. Kind of "rent a granny"! Based around befriending and being able to offer advice based on own experiences. These schemes are very highly thought of by most Social Services departments and would stand you in good stead when it comes to thinking about if this is the career for you. Good luck

Thank you so much for your help and encouragement. I hope to get started later on in the year.

I have wanted to be a social worker for some time now, however I have been brought up to not let your heart rule your head in regards to work. However having the break from my previous job I realise how much accountancy did not suit my (sp?)temperment.

It is a bit dauting, starting over, with sorting out childcare, and time to study adequately. Plus the fact that I shall not be earning for a while.

Pattyst2001

This is quite a coincidence as I am doing exactly the same as you. Gave up my job last year in Finance, as being on maternity leave made me realise how much I did not want to do what I was doing, and am now engaged in volunteer work with Homestart as well as distance learning foundation study.

Was just looking into the DipSW or degree and moaning to myself about the funding and just happended to look on Mumsnet and see this thread.

Tx everyone for the advice that you have provided, of which I can now take advantage

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Dear Gwynie,

Have a look at this website I found it might be useful to you too! ( And once again thank you everyone for being so kind to an 'irregular' mumsnetter!)

www.doh.gov.uk/swqualification/

Best wishes, Patttsy2001

Oh and this website Gwynie,

www.socialworkcareers.co.uk/FAQs/FAQs.htm#gen6

Patttsy2001

Tx for the website info, Patttsy2001.

Shall have a look at them today.