Calling all Social Workers

Sorry, total brain fart....the Putney Boat Races are the 1st & 2nd, not the 8th. Anyone have any ideas about someplace to get together on teh 8th?

Hey Everyone,

I'm brand new to the forum and planning on coming to London at the end of the summer.

I've been hearing that registering with the GSCC can take up to 16 weeks...can anyone give me some feedback about what that experience was like?

That form is so long and scary.

Thanks!

hiya,

Yeah, but once that form is complete and done the rest is cake. I submitted mine in April 2005 and it only bounced back once for another signature once and was registered by the end of July ... 4 months... not shabby for the April 2005 deadline.

Really take your time answering each section. Answer what they are asking for and get all the appropriate documentation and signatures. I had a professor friend look it over and she thought it was fine and made sense.

good luck... and once you have that, well you have the key to any SW job in the UK!!

GSCC...

Good luck!

 So I shouldn't be waiting more than 3 months for GSCC to respond then?   

Also does anyone have any experience with Social workline or RS Locums?

Hello!

It's time to stop lurking and introduce myself. My name is Jamie and my husband (Mark) is currently getting everything together for the GSCC. He graduates in May with an MSW and has been working with a UK-Pro recruiter.

Thanks to everyone for posting such great information about social work. Mark and I have found it invaluable and we're both very excited about possibly moving to the UK. 

- Jamie

welcome over!

with any recruiting agency just remember to get everything in writing, make up your own contingency plans if they are no shows or fall through with what they promise and don't expect 100% support once you get here... if you do, great just don't depend on it!  but lots of us do it and get on with life on our own just fine!

If you think GSCC is taking too long, follow up but at least give them 3-4 months or whatever their latest estimate for processing is these days.

Hello!

It's time to stop lurking and introduce myself. My name is Jamie and my husband (Mark) is currently getting everything together for the GSCC. He graduates in May with an MSW and has been working with a UK-Pro recruiter.

Thanks to everyone for posting such great information about social work. Mark and I have found it invaluable and we're both very excited about possibly moving to the UK. 

- Jamie

You might want to check out the board a little.  There are some grievances towards UK-Pro.  They have a crap reputation in the UK too, I'm told.

You might want to check out the board a little.  There are some grievances towards UK-Pro.  They have a crap reputation in the UK too, I'm told.

  AmericanFox

AmericanFox

 

Just giving people a head's up.  They talk a good game but do not come through with promises.  Just ask boroughs in the UK which agencies they use and recommend.

I think lots of agencies talk a good game but many fail with the follow through.

That's why I said #1 get everything in writing with a person's name and #2 have a contingency plan!! Because you wouldn't want to be stranded at the airport with no ride or job to go to!!  Now that would suck. But people do get on with it and have great experiences. Wouldn't you say so AmericanFox? I know I have!

I think lots of agencies talk a good game but many fail with the follow through.

That's why I said #1 get everything in writing with a person's name and #2 have a contingency plan!! Because you wouldn't want to be stranded at the airport with no ride or job to go to!!  Now that would suck. But people do get on with it and have great experiences. Wouldn't you say so AmericanFox? I know I have!

See that's interesting because I'm thinking its very likely I won't have a job until I come over.  Do most people have jobs before they move?

See that's interesting because I'm thinking its very likely I won't have a job until I come over.  Do most people have jobs before they move?

I don't know your particular situation but for most of us, we can't come over without a job. You cannot be in the country when your work permit is applied for. BTW, I had raved before about my recruiter but seems they've had some personnel changes and are not as efficient as they used to be. Anyone wanting their name can pm me.

BTW, since the plan for a get-together on the 8th sort of fell through, anyone interested in doing something this weekend, pm me. Jennifer, are you in town or back home?

See that's interesting because I'm thinking its very likely I won't have a job until I come over.  Do most people have jobs before they move?

can you clarify what visa you plan on using? Work permit or Highly Skilled Migrant, other? With a WP, you need to be sponsored by an employer... in most cases a local council/borough and have all that arranged before you move over. As a HSMP holder you don't need sponsorship you can work locum contracts if you want or come over and interview with councils on your own. There are plenty of jobs here and that isn't likely to change any time soon.

Paula, I leave Thursday and will be gone through the next two weekends. I definitely want to get together for our American SW Supervision meeting!!

my plan for the moment is to start a 6 month student visa--just graduated, gotta take advantage.  I have been told that once I get over I can get my visa extended.  I'm trying to get hooked up with various temp agencies before I get over in august, but i'm pretty much assuming I will be starting from the beginning when I get over. 

Btw anyone who has any advice for me about writing the essay for the GSCC?? I am feeling totally lost and overwhelmed!

Thanks for listening.