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Social Worker

Do you want to become a Social Worker? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

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• Field social workers help and support people during difficult times in their lives.
• With other professionals, they try to help clients find solutions to their problems. Social workers develop relationships with them, and their families and friends, and gain their confidence.
• They may work with children and families, adoption and fostering, in healthcare settings or in mental health social work.

Social workers usually work irregular days and hours, often on a rota, to provide 24-hour cover, or normal office hours in medical settings. Their time is split between the office, clients' homes, day centres, hospitals and health centres, and they need to travel around.

Salaries start from £15,000, and senior social workers earn up to £28,000.

Field social workers should:

• be committed to helping people overcome their difficulties
• develop trusting, professional relationships with clients
• be patient, resilient and mature
• be good speakers and listeners
• have good management and organisational skills.

There are about 26,000 qualified field social workers in the UK, and the number is growing. Employers include statutory organisations, such as social services and social work departments, private organisations, and voluntary organisations such as the NSPCC.

Social workers need either a degree in social work or a Diploma in Social Work (DipSW). Both combine academic learning and practical work experience.

An employment-based route to the DipSW is available for people working full time as unqualified social workers for social services organisations.

There is a well-defined career structure leading to senior social worker.

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