The role of a social work assistant is to support the social worker in their duties. Social work involves offering advice, counselling, support and protection to a wide range of people within the community, in hospitals, and other settings.

Social work assistants work to support families under stress, the elderly, the disabled, people with mental health problems, the homeless, and children in need of care and protection.

Social work assistants may work with people based in the community, residential care homes, hostels and patients in hospital.

Working under the supervision of a qualified social worker, the assistant will help with day-to-day tasks, which can include:

• making contact with clients and setting up appointments
• carrying out routine visits to assess clients needs
• keeping up-to-date with changes in legislation
• arranging and participating in multidisciplinary team meetings
• liaising with other agencies and following up enquiries.

Hours and Environment

Local authorities and agencies, which employ social work assistants, usually offer a 24 hour service and therefore shift work is likely.

If working in the community, much of the time is spent away from the office visiting clients and other agencies. Assistants may also work in residential homes and hospitals.

Skills and Interests

As a social work assistant, you will need:

• a practical approach to work
• the ability to empathise with your clients situation
• to be able to relate to a variety of people
• the ability to cope with occasional abuse and a lack of co-operation from clients
• to be observant, patient and determined.

Entry

There are no specific academic entry requirements which must be met in order to work as an assistant. However, employers will generally look for candidates with a good standard of secondary education, who are literate and numerate.

It is very important for social work assistants to have the appropriate personal qualities (see Skills and Interests). Some experience of working with people in a caring role, and a driving licence, may be beneficial.

Training

Training usually consists of a combination of work-based learning and in-service training courses.

As a social work assistant you may have the opportunity to work towards NVQ/SVQ level 2 or 3 in Health and Social Care (formerly NVQ in Care). Within the NVQ you can specialise in working with children and young people, or adults. You will produce evidence of your competence, and be evaluated in the work place by an assessor.

Some support workers do a foundation degree in a subject such as health and social care, or assisting professional practice. It is important to check the entry requirements for the course with each institution; relevant work experience and vocational qualifications are highly regarded. When you have completed a foundation degree, you may be able to progress on to year two of a social work degree leading to registration as a social worker.

Note: The General Social Care Council (GSCC) is responsible for setting up a register of social care workers in England. The register is currently only open to qualified (and student) social workers; however, in the future all social care workers will be required to join the register and abide by the GSCC Code of Practice. To be eligible for registration you must be of good character, physically and mentally fit, and have a record of good conduct. For more details on professional registration check the GSCC website; see Further Information.

Opportunities

Competition for vacancies is strong. Opportunities exist with local authorities, private agencies and registered charities.

Once experience has been gained on the job, there may be an opportunity to work towards becoming a qualified social worker; please check the social work job profile for further information.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

The starting salary for a social work assistant can be between £14,000 and £15,000 a year.
A social work assistant with experience and relevant NVQs may earn up to £21,000.

Further information

7th Floor, Millennium House
19-25 Great Victoria Street
Belfast
BT2 7AQ
Tel: 028 9041 7600 South Gate House
Wood Street
Cardiff
CF10 1EW
Tel: 029 2022 6257 Tel: 0845 604 6404 Compass House
11 Riverside Drive
Dundee
DD1 4NY
Tel: 01382 207101 2 Hay's Lane
London
SE1 2HB
Tel: 020 7397 5800
Registration helpline: 0845 070 0630 Albion Court
5 Albion Place
Leeds
LS1 6JL
Tel: 0113 245 1716