Calling all Social Workers

jklm725:    My job hunt

Once upon a time in a land...... blah blah blah!

I was on the NASW California website one day and saw a post about doing social work in the UK.  I responded to the post from TTM (a recruiting agency).  Long story short, I interviewed in Los Angeles (where I was living) and was offered a post.  I was not quite ready to make the jump across the ocean so I passed on the job.  Fast forward a year or so and my wife and I decided that we were ready.  So I sent my resume to several recruiting agencies, and applied directly to a few boroughs.  Three months later I have an offer!

Good luck

I am truly FASCINATED at how many social workers are recruited by agencies while still in university!

I was part of a small group of internationally minded social work students in CA who definitely would have jumped at this chance to work abroad out of school.

I wonder how schools of social work are targeted? My former professors aren't even familiar with this type of recruiting and I am from a large university!

Or is it just that they don't want any of us to go? 

Howdy Everyone,

It has been a while since I have been on the site.  Congrats to Paula and Josua on your job offers.  TTM is really a great recruiting company in my opinion.  Probably the best that I have spoken with and I am glad that I chose them and was offered a position through Croydon Council back in April. I can't beleive that it is only about 4 months away until the big move (Jan 8th, arrive Jan 9th).  I graduate in Dec with MSSW, I can hardly wait! 

Paula and Joshua keep updating on your experience.

Thanks for the congrats from everyone. This is really neat...one of the other co-recruits sent a group email to introduce herself. We've been emailing back and forth furiously. I've recommended this site and some of the others are starting to join. So our whole group will be picking brains soon! 

I accepted my position with the borough of Brent.  I am soo excited!

Now, just have to wait for my work permit.

Congrats Joshua! When do you make the journey? Best wishes to you and yours.

I know just how you feel. Last week I accepted a position and waiting on the work permit to be submitted this week. It is pure torture knowing they want me asap and I want to leave asap but have to wait for the work permit, entry clearance and visa to come through.

Here is the link to the FBI fingerprinting website

http://foia.fbi.gov/firs552.htm

current processing time is 8-10 weeks so it is best to get it started now for social workers wanting to start after the new year...

Here is the link to the FBI fingerprinting website

http://foia.fbi.gov/firs552.htm

current processing time is 8-10 weeks so it is best to get it started now for social workers wanting to start after the new year...

Hint on speeding up the FBI check: I mailed my request priority mail Friday, 10/7, and received it back, processed on Sat., 10/15! The instructions on the form tell you to put a need-by date on the request as well as on the outside of the envelope. I put Dec. 15 on both and got it back in a week.

you're kidding! My fingerprint card didn't have that as an option... just name and address- not even phone or email if they had a question about processing. There certainly wasn't a instruction form either only an address. That's great advice Paula. I am on week 7 and it is killing me. I wrote a note indicating it was for an employment check inside with the payment. Guess that doesn't help much when it is sitting on the mailroom floor! My agency ran another general check and it came out clean so it is not imperative to my employment quite yet... as long as I eventually get it.

you're kidding! My fingerprint card didn't have that as an option... just name and address- not even phone or email if they had a question about processing. There certainly wasn't a instruction form either only an address. That's great advice Paula. I am on week 7 and it is killing me. I wrote a note indicating it was for an employment check inside with the payment. Guess that doesn't help much when it is sitting on the mailroom floor! My agency ran another general check and it came out clean so it is not imperative to my employment quite yet... as long as I eventually get it.

No, the fingerprint card doesn't say anything but I printed out the instructions from the website and read it there! My brothers are always getting on me about reading instruction manuals and it finally paid off! 

I just wanted to second Paula. 

Make sure you follow the directions about putting a deadline on the envelope for your FBI check.

I sent mine in and just got it back, it took two weeks!

Thanks Paula 

Well, the days are counting down... I should have my start date next week 

For the social workers in the UK, what is the attitude of "social work" toward client's that use drugs.  I am thinking more along the lines of marijuana etc.

When I worked child protection in TX I saw children removed because of marijuana (and nothing else, I was one of the workers on the case.)  Is the UK social work view drugs the same way?

Joshua, from what I've been told, child protection in the UK isn't as "aggressive" as it is here. The emphasis is more on family preservation than on removal, unless there is an imminent threat. Is this what those of you already in the Uk have found?

Well, since I've been working in the UK, marijuana use isn't so bad.  The problem is when the drug takes over their life and they are unable to properly care for their child.  It's the same with alcohol.  I don't have a problem with people having a drink, but when you neglect your child because of it, then it's a serious problem.

AF, How are things going?  Again, I have not posted in a while things are getting a little hectic with January coming around the corner. 

Just thought I would drop in and write everyone a little line.