Tell me about it
Social workers help and support people during difficult times in their lives. This may include working with parents and children who are struggling with deprivation, disability or abuse, people with HIV/AIDS, young people who are finding it hard to handle the pressures of living on their own, people with mental health problems or older people who need help to keep their independence.

With other professionals such as doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, schools, the police and the courts, 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.

In Scotland, social workers may also work with people who have committed or have been charged with crimes, similar to the work of probation officers in England.

There is a shift towards specialising in specific areas, especially work involving children and people with mental health problems.

Entry level
The main qualification is a three-year degree in social work, which offers a combination of academic learning and practical work experience and can be studied full-time, part-time or by distance learning. For this, you would need at least two A level/ Advanced Higher/three Higher or equivalent passes, together with five GCSE/S Grade passes at A-C/1-3. You may be able to gain admission over the age of 21 without formal examination passes. Experience of life and work is greatly valued in social work, and older people often retrain as social workers. Certain types of criminal conviction could prevent you from meeting the entry requirements.

The degree programmes would normally require you to have some relevant paid or voluntary social work experience.

Making the grade
Once qualified, you would need to register with the General Social Care Council in England or the equivalent body in the other countries of the UK. You must demonstrate that you have completed the required training and that you meet set standards of conduct and competence.

You can then take further courses to improve your skills and career opportunities.
There is a well-defined career structure, with promotion to senior social worker.

Personal qualities
As a social worker, you must be able to develop trusting relationships with clients without becoming emotionally involved, and you should be committed to helping them overcome their difficulties.

You must be able to negotiate on behalf of your clients, understanding relevant aspects of law and dealing with bureaucratic procedures with patience and maturity.

Having a sense of humour will undoubtedly help you through emotionally stressful times.

Looking ahead
A shortage of qualified social workers in the UK means that career prospects are extremely good. Employers include statutory organisations, such as social services and social work departments, private organisations, voluntary organisations, private agencies, hospitals and the Ministry of Defence.

With experience, you could set up on a self-employed or freelance basis, offering counselling, therapy or training skills.

Alternative suggestions
Other possibilities might include training as a career/personal adviser, education welfare officer, probation officer, residential social worker, teacher or youth worker.

Take-home pay
Salaries, based on qualifications, experience, responsibilities and location, usually start on around £17,500 and can rise to £28,000 or above. Directors of social services departments normally earn considerably more than this.

Effects
Most social workers are involved in a system providing cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This means that your hours are likely to be long and irregular. You may well be required to work a rota system or to be on call at times after your official hours of work, for which you may get extra pay. You may find yourself facing difficult situations, which can be unpleasant and at times dangerous.

Sources of information
British Association of Social Workers: www.basw.co.uk
Care Council for Wales: www.ccwales.org.uk
Social Work Careers in England: www.socialworkcareers.co.uk
General Social Care Council: www.gscc.org.uk
Northern Ireland Social Care Council: www.niscc.info
Scottish Social Services Council: www.sssc.uk.com
Social Care Association: www.socialcaring.co.uk
Social Care Institute for Excellence: www.scie.org.uk
TOPSS England: www.topss.org.uk

CRCI: V