Manchester ~ Questions

Here's a good thread for social work info: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=21614.0  It's Calling All Social Workers and has lots of information.

I can't tell you about Manchester itself, but there are usually job openings in social work, but the scope of what is considered social work is much more narrow here in the States.  Social workers in their training usually choose either child or adult work and then you don't cross over.  I've been lucky that I've been able to do a little of both because I started at a drug and alcohol programme that focuses on helping families.  I'm currently doing some part-time Children's Services work as the other job didn't work with raising a family.

Generally there are openings to be found in child protection social work around the country.  Other, more specialized positions have been much harder to come by during government cutbacks due to the recession. 

Thanks so much for the info.  I really don't like working with children.  I work with Adults and I have a specialization in Mental Health (although the specialization is for Adults and Children).  If I really had to do it, I would, but I tried it and was miserable.  Then again it could have been the setting. 

Taking a look now at the link you posted

I know the feeling.  I think I'm much happier with adult work too.  I took my job because I knew I needed to leave my other position as it wouldn't work with kids and we were hoping to have another soon after.  I didn't have the luxury of waiting for another position or I would have lost my extra maternity leave that I was entitled to, so I took what was open.  It has been rough at times, but I'm hoping to find something else again sometime.

For me, the saving grace is that I just do it part-time and then I have a tiny private practice where I provide counselling for a handful of clients.  That has helped keep me going and been much more rewarding.  I'm thankful for my US training and experience that gave me some clinical background too.  It's pretty unheard of here.  Although it's frustrating as it is illegal for me to even come close to discussing diagnoses with people, which I was perfectly qualified to do in the US.

I think that will be one of the most frustrating things for me when I get there.  I'm probably going to have to go back to school because the thought of not being able to do an assessment/diagnosis with my clients something I'm trained and qualified to do would really make me miserable.

The DSM is my best friend (ICD 10)  I've already begun to familiarize myself with the ICD 10 as some of the codes are different.  Thankfully we discussed the differences in school.

I completely understand about taking what is available because of circumstances.  Trust me I would probably do the same thing if I were in your situation.  Who knows if for a short period of time I too will have to work with children ( )

I just really want to get past the HCPC process and then I can breathe a sigh of relief.  The entire process (from getting on the registry, to the renewal fees) a total of almost $1000.00 US  is a real pain.  So hopefully in the new year I can really begin to plan my move...

I know the feeling.  I think I'm much happier with adult work too.  I took my job because I knew I needed to leave my other position as it wouldn't work with kids and we were hoping to have another soon after.  I didn't have the luxury of waiting for another position or I would have lost my extra maternity leave that I was entitled to, so I took what was open.  It has been rough at times, but I'm hoping to find something else again sometime.

For me, the saving grace is that I just do it part-time and then I have a tiny private practice where I provide counselling for a handful of clients.  That has helped keep me going and been much more rewarding.  I'm thankful for my US training and experience that gave me some clinical background too.  It's pretty unheard of here.  Although it's frustrating as it is illegal for me to even come close to discussing diagnoses with people, which I was perfectly qualified to do in the US.

The nice news is that once you are through it, you never have to go through it again.  You'll be fully qualified like anyone here in the country.  Here in Wales, the annual registration is only £30!  Each year as I pay that, I have a little chuckle.  My US license fees are far higher!