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Social worker
Social workers help to protect vulnerable children and adults from harm or abuse, and support people to live independently.
Average salary (a year)
£27000
Starter
£50000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 40.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on a rota
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; an apprenticeship; a graduate training scheme
University
You could do a degree in social work approved by Social Work England.
You could also do a postgraduate degree in social work, if you have a degree in another subject. This postgraduate degree takes 2 years.
You might be able to get a social work bursary.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
Apprenticeship
You could do a Social Worker Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, which takes around 3 years.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Volunteering
You'll need experience of working with vulnerable groups or children for most courses and jobs.
To get skills and experience, you could:apply to be a social work assistant or support worker, work in the community with a charity, find volunteering opportunities through the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT
Other Routes
Graduate training scheme
If you already have a 2
2 (second class) degree, you could do an intensive, work-based training programme to gain a master's degree or postgraduate diploma in social work.
The programmes are:Frontline for children's social work, Step Up to Social Work for children's social work, Think Ahead for mental health social work
More Information
Registrations
you'll need to register with Social Work England
Career Tips
It's possible to do a degree in social work and learning disabilities nursing.
You'll need to check that the course is recognised by the relevant professional bodies. You can get advice about this from course providers.
Further Information
You can get more advice about becoming a social worker from Think Care Careers.
Explore roles in child and family social work to find more information on management and specialist roles.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    Counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
    Sensitivity and understanding
    Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
    To be flexible and open to change
    Knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture
    The ability to work well with others
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Active listening skills
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Other Requirements
You might need a driving license and your own transport.
Related Restrictions
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
Your tasks will depend on if you work with children, families or adults.
As a social worker, you could
meet individuals and families to review needs and make support plans, help clients develop and maintain independent living skills, keep clients safe and take action to protect them when necessary, work closely with communities, health professionals and other agencies, keep records, write reports and discuss cases with your supervisors
Working environment
You could work in an office, in an NHS or private hospital, at an adult care home, at a children's care home or in the community.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
Professional development
During your first year as a social worker, your employer might offer you professional development, like the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE).
This includes extra support like
regular supervision, a training and development plan, time to meet your training and development needs
Progression
With experience you could
study for a postgraduate MA in Advanced Professional Practice with a local authority, research or study for a PhD, move into management, become a practice educator and train and mentor students
Explore roles in child and family social work to find more information on progressing into management and specialist roles.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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