You can do a college course in health and social care which may help when you look for work.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Social workers play a crucial role in helping individuals, families, and communities cope with challenges they may face in their lives. In the UK, social workers can specialise in areas such as child protection, adult mental health, and support for older adults or those with disabilities. Their responsibilities include assessing clients' needs, developing care plans, providing counselling, and linking people to essential services and resources. Social workers may be employed by local authorities, the NHS, charities, or private organisations. The role can be emotionally demanding but is also highly rewarding, as it makes a positive difference to vulnerable people's lives.
Social workers in the UK typically earn between £25,000 and £40,000 per year, with experienced professionals and those in management roles earning up to £50,000.
There are around 104,000 registered social workers in England alone, according to the latest data from Social Work England.
The demand for social workers is expected to grow by 6 percent between 2021 and 2027, particularly in areas such as child protection and adult social care.
Support children and their families to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people, often working with schools, courts, and other agencies.
Work with individuals experiencing mental health issues, helping them to access support services, manage daily life, and improve their wellbeing.
Assist older adults or people with disabilities to live independently, arranging care plans and connecting them to local services.
Obtain 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and Maths. Take relevant A-levels such as Sociology, Psychology, or Health and Social Care.
These subjects help you develop an understanding of society, people, and communication. Some colleges may offer BTECs or equivalent qualifications in Health and Social Care, which are also accepted by many universities. Check university entry requirements as they can vary.
Volunteer or work in settings such as youth clubs, care homes, or charities to gain experience working with people in need.
Experience in social care settings demonstrates your commitment to the field and helps develop the interpersonal skills needed for a social work career. Many universities and employers value applicants who have shown initiative in gaining practical experience.
Apply to an approved undergraduate social work degree course at a university.
Courses usually last three years full-time and include practical placements. Entry requirements typically include relevant A-levels or equivalent qualifications and may involve an interview or assessment. In Scotland, you can take a BA (Hons) in Social Work or a postgraduate route if you already have a degree.
Undertake practical placements as part of your degree, working under supervision in social care settings.
Placements are an essential part of social work training, giving you hands-on experience with clients and the opportunity to apply classroom learning in real-life situations. You will work with qualified social workers and receive feedback to develop your skills.
After graduating, register with Social Work England or the relevant regulatory body in your country.
In England, you must register with Social Work England to practise as a social worker. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, registration is with their respective councils. Registration ensures you meet professional standards and can legally work as a social worker.
Search for entry-level social worker positions in local authorities, the NHS, charities, or private organisations.
Roles may include working with children and families, adults, people with mental health needs, or those in the criminal justice system. Continuing professional development is required throughout your career to maintain registration.
Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Social Worker. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.
A social worker and a social work assistant both work within social services to support individuals and communities, often sharing similar responsibilities such as assisting with assessments, providing support, and facilitating access to resources. The main difference lies in the level of qualifications and independence, but their roles are closely linked in the same professional field.
You can get into this job through:
You can do a college course in health and social care which may help when you look for work.
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
You could do an apprenticeship in care or youth work to get experience of working with vulnerable adults, children or young people, like:
You could then do a social worker degree apprenticeship once you have experience.
You'll usually need:
You could get experience by volunteering which might help when you apply for a course or job.
You can find volunteering opportunities through Do It.
You could apply directly if you have experience in a care role such as a care worker or healthcare assistant. It would help if you have experience working in a:
You'll usually need a GCSE in English for this route.
Experience of caring for someone in your own family or community can help you get into a social work assistant role.
You can find out more about a career in adult social care from Think Care Careers.
Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.
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