Social workers, also known as field social workers, offer advice, support, counselling and protection to a wide range of people. They assess an individuals' needs and problems and provide support with a view to helping them find solutions. This can involve helping people to take control of their lives, overcome barriers to communication or remain in their own home and community. 

The main areas in which social workers can specialise are:

Working with children, young people and families, which can involve:

• working to protect children believed to be at risk
• helping parents who cannot cope with bringing up their child
• arranging foster homes or adoption for children who cannot be cared for by their own families
• settling children into their new home
• supporting young people who are leaving care to live independently.

Social workers play an important role in keeping families together, for example, by giving advice on issues such as parenting, and drug and alcohol abuse. Social workers can work in children's care homes, and there may be opportunities to work with young offenders in the community.

This work is often carried out in partnership with other professionals such as doctors and teachers.

Working with adults, which can involve:

• working in a healthcare setting to gauge the social and emotional needs of patients and their families, helping them adjust to living with an illness
• working as a 'care manager' to evaluate the needs of clients in the community, devising a care plan to enable the client to remain living safely and independently at home

Social workers can work with specific adult groups such as:

• people with HIV or AIDS
• older people
• adults with learning difficulties
• people who are physically disabled
• adults with mental health issues.

Social workers specialising in mental health will work with other health professionals to decide how best to support and treat the client, for example, in the community or hospital.

Working with offenders is the third main area of specialism. In Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, social workers can choose to specialise in working with offenders.

Across all three areas of work, social workers will spend some of their time carrying out office based duties such as writing reports, dealing with enquiries and attending meetings and conferences.

Hours and Environment

Working hours can be irregular, often on a rota basis, as part of a team providing 24-hour cover, seven days a week. Some part-time work may be available. For those working in a health care setting, normal office hours are more common.

Time may be split between the office, clients’ homes, day centres, hospitals, health centres, and court. Field social workers will often need a driving licence, as work may involve travel to visit clients in their homes.

Skills and Interests

To be a field social worker, you should:

• be committed to helping people overcome their difficulties
• be honest and reliable, able to develop trusting, professional relationships with clients
• be persuasive, and have patience, resilience and maturity
• have a non-judgemental attitude, and sound values (promoting choice and dignity)
• be aware of the different needs of people, depending on race, gender, sexuality, ability, religion, culture and age
• be an excellent communicator and listener
• have self-awareness 
• be able to deal with stress
• have good time management and organisational skills
• have the ability to present information clearly
• be able to work well as part of a team
• have a thorough approach to work and be able to manage a complex caseload
• be computer literate.

Entry

To practise as a social worker you need:

• a social work degree or postgraduate qualification approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) - the social work and care careers website holds a list of approved courses
• to be accepted on to the social care register - for this your training, competence, conduct, health and good character will be taken into account. The GSCC website has advice on professional registration; check the Further Information section for contact details.

The entry requirements for a degree in social work usually consist of five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English and maths, plus two A levels/three H grades (law, sociology, and psychology will be particularly useful). An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses.

A foundation degree in health and social care may allow entry to year two of a social work degree.

To apply for a postgraduate diploma or Masters in Social Work you need a degree or equivalent qualification. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

It will be beneficial, or even essential, for you to gain some paid or voluntary experience in social work or social care before you apply for a social work course. Courses are run on a full- or part-time basis, and by distance learning.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students, not supported by an employer, may have access to a bursary. In England contact the GSCC, for other areas of the UK contact the social care council relevant to where you live; see Further Information for contact details. 

Some employers sponsor candidates through their social work training. Often known as the employment-based route, this option combines working within the field with studying for an approved qualification. To apply for such a position, you may need a degree in a subject related to social work. Check local and national press for opportunities.

Some employers in the social care sector offer existing employees working within their organisation a secondment opportunity which allows them to train and qualify in social work.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have developed similar entry routes into social work. Check with the relevant regional social care council for more details; see Further Information.

All applicants to social work courses undergo a check by the Criminal Records Bureau; contact the GSCC for details.

Note: The social work degree qualification replaces the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), however, the DipSW continues to be recognised as valid.

Training

All social work degree courses combine practical, work-based placements with college/university-based learning. The course aims to provide the knowledge, skills and values needed for social work.

Part-time social work degree courses are mainly aimed at those in relevant employment. However, you should check with individual course providers as entry requirements may vary. Applications for part-time programmes should be made direct to the course provider.

Distance learning social work degree courses are aimed at those already employed in social work, who have the support of their employer. Applications should be made direct to the relevant course providers. 

Student social workers and qualified social workers are required to join the social care register administered by the GSCC. Approved course providers and the GSCC hold further details on this process.

The social work and care careers website has details of all approved course providers; see Further Information.  

As a qualified social worker, you can specialise in one of the areas listed in the Work section (children and families, adults with mental health problems etc). Working with a local authority social services department will often enable you to work with a wide range of service users. Working within the private sector, or with a charity or voluntary organisation you will have the opportunity to specialise and focus on working with specific groups.

Registered and qualified social workers are required to re-register with the GSCC every three years. A condition of renewal is that you complete around 15 days of professional development training every three years. The GSCC in England, and each regional social care council, can provide more information on opportunities for continuing professional development.

Opportunities

Social workers are employed by statutory organisations such as local authority social services departments, as well as private and voluntary/charitable organisations.

Social workers with around three years’ experience can apply for team leader or care service manager posts, taking on responsibility for managing a team of social workers. Promotion to senior social worker is based on a combination of qualifications and experience.

Some social workers are employed in hospitals offering psychiatric services in prisons or in special hospitals. Opportunities exist with the Navy Personnel and Family Service and with the Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA).

Social workers can go into teaching at universities and colleges, or work as a training officer for an agency. There is growing scope for self-employment.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Salaries for social workers start in the region of £21,000 to £26,000. 
With experience this can rise to around £30,000.
A team manager may earn up to around £35,000.
Directors of social services/social work may earn considerably more.

Overtime may be payable.

Further information

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