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 people to cope with challenges in their lives, such as family difficulties, mental health issues, or safeguarding concerns. In the UK, social workers are employed by local authorities, the NHS, charities, and private organisations. Their role involves assessing clients' needs, developing care plans, offering emotional support, and connecting people with relevant services. Social workers may specialise in areas such as children and families, adults, mental health, or older people. The work can be emotionally demanding but also highly rewarding, as social workers make a positive impact on individuals and communities.
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 £45,000 or more.
There are approximately 100,000 registered social workers in England, and the sector continues to face a demand for more professionals, especially in children's and adult services.
Most social workers work around 37 hours per week, often during regular office hours, although evening and weekend work may sometimes be required.
Specialises in supporting children and their families to ensure their safety and well-being, including working with children at risk of harm or in care.
Works with individuals experiencing mental health issues, helping them access support services and providing ongoing care and advocacy.
Supports patients and their families in a hospital setting, assisting with discharge planning, accessing community resources, and coping with illness or injury.
Obtain at least five GCSEs at grades 4 to 9, including English and Maths, and relevant A Levels such as Sociology, Psychology, or Health and Social Care.
Strong GCSEs and A Levels are important for university entry. Subjects like Sociology, Psychology, and Health and Social Care provide useful background knowledge for a career in social work. Some colleges offer vocational qualifications such as BTEC National Diplomas in Health and Social Care as an alternative to A Levels.
Apply for and complete an approved undergraduate degree in social work (BA or BSc) at a UK university.
Social work is a regulated profession, so you must complete a degree approved by Social Work England. Full-time courses usually last three years and include placements in real-world settings. If you already have a degree in another subject, you could take a two-year postgraduate (MA) course in social work.
Take part in mandatory work placements as part of your degree to gain hands-on experience in social work settings.
All social work degrees include placements in settings such as social services, hospitals, or charities. This gives you the chance to develop practical skills, work with real clients, and understand the day-to-day responsibilities of a social worker.
Volunteer with organisations such as local councils, charities, or youth groups to strengthen your CV and gain extra experience.
Volunteering can help you understand the challenges faced by vulnerable people and demonstrate your commitment to the field. It also helps you build valuable contacts and references for future job applications.
Apply for registration with Social Work England to become a legally recognised social worker in the UK.
Registration is required before you can practise as a social worker. You will need to provide evidence of your qualifications and meet professional standards. There is an annual fee and you must commit to ongoing professional development.
Search and apply for entry-level social worker positions in areas such as child protection, mental health, adult care, or schools.
You can find jobs in local authorities, the NHS, charities, or private organisations. Entry-level roles offer further training and support, and you can later specialise in areas that interest you, such as family support, adoption, or safeguarding.
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 by handling some casework and providing direct assistance to clients, which is similar to a Social Worker’s role but typically involves less advanced responsibilities. Both roles require similar qualifications, knowledge of social care practices, and an understanding of client needs within a social care setting.
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.
Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK
Phone
01603 273515
Email
[email protected]
Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.
Unlock expert-designed lessons, resources, and assessments tailored for educators. No credit card required.
Claim Your Free Trial →