Advice needed for entering the social work field?

[taylorsweet]

Hi,

I live in the borough of Southwark in London and I would like to hear from people who work as Family Support Workers/Community Workers/Social Workers!
I previously volunteered for a year as a Family Support Worker/Advocate at Blackfriars Crown Court for year and I worked with relatives of offenders, providing practical and emotional support. The organisation didn't have enough funding to employ me and I needed to start earning so I found a job in a call centre.
I would like to find a support worker job but this time paid. I really want to work for my local community whether it be families, young adults, substance misuse or mental health. I would like some advice on how to get started. I would like to qualify as a social worker in the future.
Any tips or help is much appreciated! Thank you

Try signing up to www.centralcare.co.uk/
I work for one of the boroughs and all our support worker staff come through them.

Thanks for that....had a look on there but unfortunately I don't have any NVQ qualifications! I have volunteer experience as an advocate/support work of one year! I can't seem to match their requirements.

It's worth giving them a call, I think it's just desireable rather than required, as the NVQ is finished now nationally and has been replaced by something else.

I see I will definitely call them! Thank you I have found it really hard to get a job