I really want to train to become a social worker, but where do I begin?

[sodoffbeforemycupofcoff]

I’m 30. I have two children but since school I wanted to help children.
I would LOVE to train to become a social worker. I currently work part time and so I feel it could be a great time for me to try to get into it now.
Where do I begin?

Google?

Masters if you have a suitable first degree. Or 4 year undergraduate degree. Have you spoken to many social workers though? Not sure it’s a job many would recommend anymore.

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/social-worker

It also mentions being good to do voluntary work with vulnerable people.

Good on you op.

https://accesspathways.co.uk/hub/become-social-worker/

Just google how to become a social worker. It's very dependent on where you live and what qualifications you already have...it's usually a fairly academic pathway coupled with experience of some type of work with vulnerable people, charity/volunteering, caring etc.

Just read this info and you might have more specific questions.

I looked into Social Work after doing a Criminology degree. I went to my uncle who’d been a social worker for 30+ years, a very fair minded, hard working, patient and conscientious fella. I asked “I’m thinking of going into social work, what advice would you give me?” His reply was short and I heeded it: “Don’t”.

I’m fairly sure there are dozens of threads on Social Work on the Mature Study and Retraining board - you may find them helpful:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Loads of people will try and put you off , you need to find out for yourself if it's a career path that will work for you.
My DD ( not a social worker but works alongside them) says
They have the highest job vacancy
The highest turnover
The highest sick leave
The highest stress level
They have to pick up more cass to cover

Christmas Day who was on duty ....the social work team

I tell DD she'd be a great social worker, she has empathy, great work ethic, organised, takes no shit and can sort the wheat from chaff, see the wood for the trees ( add random cliches)
I wouldn't want her to BE one from what she says
Her answer to me is usually " get knotted"

It is not the job for everyone - but those of us who do it and do it well really love it. You need to do your own research on whether it is right for you.

To challenge some of the above….
I worked for 10 years in frontline safeguarding teams - they are not on call on Christmas Day. All councils have an out of hours service separately staffed who cover nights, weekends, bank holidays. I now work on a non-statutory social work service and we shut entirely for Christmas.

I have had one week off for work related stress in the post 15 years. I manage a team of 15 and in the past 18 months no one has been off sick for work related stress - bereavements and pregnancy loss have been the two big sickness drivers.

My team are experienced social workers - they are earning £48k - I earn £58k. I wouldn’t say they’re bad wages.

That said - I know many more people who would not at all be suited to the job than who would (quite a few of whom are doing it none the less 🙃). It isn’t easy, it is really demanding (physically, emotionally, time) and stressful. Ultimately it is very very rewarding.

Its worth looking at your local council website. They may have social care assistant jobs advertised, which could give you an insight as to whether you want to do social work.

It’s a nightmare job these days. People are leaving by the droves due to impossible workloads.

Who is going to look after the children in need if no one wants to be a social worker anymore ? Children need help

So lovely to hear a social worker say positive things about doing a job well. Thank you

What qualifications do you have already ?

Well that’s a silly comment. You can say that about any profession. Who’s going to solve crime if no one wants to be a police officer? Who’s going to treat sick people if no one wants to be a nurse? Who’s going to treat sick animals if no one’s going to be a vet?

There are postgraduate training routes with bursaries if you have a degree, some experience and GCSE or Functional Skills level 2 English.
Step up to social work and Approach are two schemes that might be of interest to look into.

That's true but...
I was going to add to my comment that the people I know who are in or adjacent to SW say 'avoid child social care' and go for Adult social care instead, but if that's what you want to do...

What experience and qualifications do you actually have?

Do you have A levels? You’ve just missed this years intake unless you can find a course through clearing?

I would think very carefully on the economics of this decision. 3 years of uni will set you back with £60k in student loans. You’ll have to do placements throughout the studying so you’ll have childcare to consider on top. For a job that pays peanuts and is very stressful.

Social works don’t “look after children”. If you want to hands on help kids work for a charity. Easier to get into, no upfront cost, and flexible around your current commitments. Then work your way up, gain training etc.

I wonder if doing a hnc in social work then seeking employment as a social work assistant might be a better start. Then decide what next.

Tbf social workers protect children every day and make decisions in their best interests so that is helping them. But it is not hands on care so it might be better to get experience first.

Agree . My daughter is a SW and absolutely loves her job. It’s hard work and unpredictable and I do worry about her safety .
She works in a very supportive team and they all look out for each other and cover for unexpected child care etc .
She did her masters to qualify.

Yes this is a key question @sodoffbeforemycupofcoff ? What’s your level of education and any post qualifications?

This is a good point and of course is true. I work alongside social workers and the reason so many are leaving is because the workload is so impossible in child and family they are feeling they’re not helping much and the moral injury related to this is too hard to continue with.

We need caring and dedicated social workers but child and family is a brutal job. The workload is high and then the worker on the ground is to blame when things go wrong.

I would work as an assistant first so you can go in with your eyes open.

I’m a social worker in adult social care.
You need GCSE grade C in English or functional skills level 2.
You can then do access to higher education either online or in college, this is hard work, very intense and will take about a year. Do lots of volunteering during this time too if you can as it will help with your uni interviews.
Then obviously go to university and do your social work BA.
It’s bloody hard work, but so worth it. I love my job.

It can be a wonderful, varied career if you don't let yourself get bogged down in statutory child protection for years and years. I did 3 years statutory before moving into a variety of fascinating specialist roles, then management and senior leadership.

You should follow Vicki Shelvin for an insight into what social work entails.. www.instagram.com/vickishevlin_?stkn=MXdxOTFyZzMyZ3BoYw==