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 help support vulnerable people in society, such as children, families, older people, and those with mental health needs or disabilities. Their work involves assessing needs, providing counselling, offering practical support, and working with other professionals to make sure people get the help they need. Social workers often work in challenging situations, such as supporting families in crisis, protecting children from harm, or helping adults live independently. The role requires empathy, good communication skills, and a strong sense of ethics. Social workers must be registered with Social Work England and usually hold a degree in social work.
Social workers in the UK typically earn between £25,000 and £40,000 per year, with experienced practitioners and those in managerial roles earning up to £50,000.
There are over 100,000 registered social workers in the UK, working in a variety of settings such as local authorities, NHS trusts, and charities.
The demand for social workers is predicted to grow by 6 percent between 2022 and 2027, especially in child protection and adult services.
Support children, young people, and their families to ensure their well-being and safety, including working on child protection cases.
Work with individuals experiencing mental health issues, helping them access services and support for recovery and independence.
Assist patients and their families in hospitals with planning for discharge, accessing community services, and coping with illness or injury.
Complete your GCSEs, including English and Maths, and then progress to A-levels or equivalent qualifications.
Most universities require at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths. For A-levels, subjects such as Sociology, Psychology, or Health and Social Care can be particularly helpful, but any subjects are generally accepted. Vocational qualifications like BTECs in Health and Social Care are also relevant.
Apply for and complete a degree in Social Work approved by Social Work England.
You must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Social Work to become a social worker in the UK. Undergraduate courses typically last three years full-time, while postgraduate courses last two years. Make sure the course is approved by Social Work England, as this is required for registration.
Undertake work placements as part of your social work degree.
Your degree will include mandatory placements in different settings, such as local authority teams, hospitals, or charities. These placements are vital for developing practical skills, building confidence, and understanding real-life social work scenarios.
Gain additional experience by volunteering or working in support roles.
Many aspiring social workers volunteer with organisations like child protection services, youth clubs, or mental health charities. Entry-level roles such as support worker or care assistant can also provide valuable insight and experience in the social care sector.
Apply to join the Social Work England register to practise as a qualified social worker.
You cannot work as a social worker in the UK without being registered with Social Work England. Registration involves proving your qualifications and your good character. There is an annual fee and you must commit to ongoing professional development.
Look for and apply to social worker jobs in your chosen area, such as children’s services or adult mental health.
Social workers can specialise in areas such as children and families, adult services, or mental health. Check local authority job boards, NHS vacancies, and charity websites for roles. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills.
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 Work Assistant supports qualified social workers in helping clients, often performing tasks such as case recording and providing direct support, which aligns closely with the qualifications and responsibilities of a Social Worker. Both roles require understanding of social care principles and work within social services to support vulnerable individuals.
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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