What do Social Workers do?
Social workers work with individuals, families and communities to help improve people’s lives. This may be helping to protect vulnerable people from harm or abuse or supporting people to live independently. Social workers often work in multi-disciplinary teams alongside health, education and other professionals. Many social workers work for local authorities, or joint local authority and health organisations. Others work in the voluntary and private sector.
Social work has a long history and is an international profession and a social work degree from the UK would enable you to work in many parts of the world.
What can I expect to earn?
Social workers working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. You would typically start on AfC band 6 (currently £38,682). More senior positions, at band 7 and above, pay a minimum of £47,810.
What subjects should I study?
Useful subjects to study include psychology, sociology, law or health and social care.
How can I start my career?
‘Social Worker’ is a protected title. This means that routes to qualifying as a social work professional are regulated by the UK care regulators. To become a social worker, you must have a degree or master’s degree in social work. A master’s degree is a two-year-long postgraduate course for those with a degree in a different subject. Some universities offer part-time studying.
Entry requirements differ between universities. Generally, you’ll need between 90 and 152 UCAS points or grades ABB to CDD at A Level.
Experience is an important part of social work qualifications. A work placement forms half of social work courses with academic learning focusing on legislation, ethics, and theory. You’ll need some experience of social work or social care when applying to study. This can be paid, voluntary or placement work, or even life experience.
The degree course covers work with both adults and children. After graduation people tend to specialise in either working with adults or children and families.
An integrated degree apprenticeship for social workers is also now available.
If you have a 2:1 degree in a different subject and want to specialise in working with children and families, you can apply for a fast-track programme. Step-Up to Social Work is a funded 14-month intensive training programme. Approach Social Work is a funded two-year training course.
To find local education and training opportunities that could lead to a career as a social worker, visit our partner website >log on | move on>.
Details of relevant degree courses can be found on the UCAS website.
Useful Links
The British Association of Social Workers - Careers
What Uni? - Social work degree guide
National Careers Service - Social Worker
Want to know what it's like to work as a social worker? Watch the video in How Did You Get That Job?
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