Calling all Social Workers

Hi social workers ,

This is an excellent thread and I've learned quite a lot from reading through it. It's my understanding that most of you earned your social work qualifications while still in the US and are now being recruited by various agencies in the UK and will be coming on a HSMP visa.

Has anyone trained to become a social work in the UK? I am thinking of doing just that myself as a postgraduate student  and am wondering primarily what the hurdles (beyond the obvious appplication, background check etc type stuff) might be and if there might be any sort of funding educational perks avaliable?

Would it be feisable that once I've finished my MA and qualified that I could stay on a highly skilled migrant visa?

cheers.

Would it be feisable that once I've finished my MA and qualified that I could stay on a highly skilled migrant visa?

cheers.

No, I think you need a higher degree and to make a lot of money.  But check the visa sections on that question because I'm not completely sure.

I don't have the exact requirement off the top of my head, but there is a financial piece (2 years of work at x amount... something like that) and coming in after being a student most likely won't qualify you. but you are more likely to be sponsored for a work permit and get in with a local council with better ease than if you came straight from the states... recruitmentwise.

i think there are some perks for training to be a social worker in the uk... not sure if open to US citizens... check the BASW website. there should be links there.

But if you do like the clinical aspect of social work, then do not get your degree in the UK.  Also, I've been told my social workers in the UK (one who lived in the US for 8 years) that it can be difficult to practice social work in the US with a UK qualification.  But I think it may depend on the type of social work job that you prefer in the US.

there is a specialization for clinical social workers in the UK... but it is certainly not the norm. My colleagues are very familiar or had ever used the DSMIV or the World Health Org's tool. Mental health diagnosis isn't as big a focus on day to day SW, my theory, because there isn't the need to bill for insurance! good or bad... well that's to be debated.

Well, I knew an American social worker in the UK who worked with the elderly and her British colleagues didn't know anything about dementia!!!!   WTF? 

Well, I knew an American social worker in the UK who worked with the elderly and her British colleagues didn't know anything about dementia!!!!   WTF? 

 

Hi, I am a social worker too...  I have an MSW degree and am hoping to work in England for a year.  Do you know of a good website to use to find a job?  I am from Oregon, USA.  Thanks for any info.  I would like to move by the springtime.

socialworker, I'll be glad to link you up with my recruiter. He's been great! If interested, pm me and I'll send it. Also, if you haven't started the GSCC app, do so now! It's a b**ch so the sooner you start, the better off you'll be. Good luck!

Thank  you SW's for answering some of my questions   I am especially curious as to what some of you might think is an especially necessary aspect of social work that needs more attention/workers in the UK?

Like I've said in a couple of other posts I would like to work with immigrant communities---second generation kids, refugees and the like, councelling and advocacy that kind of thing. I've done some perusing of UK job websites and there seems to be a demand for this sort of work, but beyond my previous work experience in the UK I don't know many of the specifics. Any ideas?

Thank you

Sohniye.

Another question...

Do these agencies require one to have experience in the work field, or are they willing to hire SWs fresh out of college with some "field" coursework under their belt?

Sorry if the question makes little to no sense.  I'm running on three hours of sleep! 

Another question...

Do these agencies require one to have experience in the work field, or are they willing to hire SWs fresh out of college with some "field" coursework under their belt?

Sorry if the question makes little to no sense.  I'm running on three hours of sleep! 

Depends on the borough or city council.  Some places won't hire you without UK experience and some will.  It just takes a little longer sometimes if you have no UK Social Work experience.  I was hired without any UK experience right after I received my MSW.  But then I worked for another borough later that wouldn't except anyone who didn't have any UK experience.

Gyladene, as AF said, it depends on the borough. From my searches, most private sector employers won't hire without UK experience, either. If you're fresh out of school with no experience at all, you should seriously think about linking with a recruiter. They will have a better idea of who to approach and who won't consider you.

Thanks guys.    As I said, I still have a couple of years before I even get my degree, but so far it's been very nice getting answers to all these questions in advance.

Would any of the Social Workers here be interested in meeting, or setting up a regular communication site?  I think it would be great for all of us transplanted social workers to get together and talk a bit....share information etc....