Calling all Social Workers

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.

Make your agency help you.  They need to earn the money they take from your paycheck. 

My husband and I will be moving to Scotland in July or August and I have been trying to do research on different recruitment agencies around.  I have been speaking with a rep from Hays Social Care a.k.a Recruitment Solutions Group, Dream Group, waiting to hear from BBT and also SiiS.  Has anyone had any experience good or bad with any of these agencies?  Those of you that were hired through an agency, did you just go with the agency that provided the best job?  I'm unclear as how to go about selecting agencies. 

I just received my registration certificate with the Scottish Social Services Council, so I'm on my way, but still have a large hurdle to pass over in getting a job, etc.  Any guidance would be very much appreciated!

amity

I have heard that BBT pays less than some of the other agencies in the area that I work, the East Midlands.  I would go with the agency that pays most and/or offers the most desirable position and locations.  I would check agency options at Community Care and Health magazines website, they list many jobs and agencies there.  If you can get your hands on a paper copy of the magazine, that might help too.

Good Luck!

Don

I have heard that BBT pays less than some of the other agencies in the area that I work, the East Midlands. 

Don, I am not sure what you mean by pay less... it is the council who pays the salary not the agency... at least for f/t permanent recruits.  I went through BBT... pm me any questions amity. congrats on your registration coming through, that's great news!

As far as agencies go... I signed up for loads of them. Some were active and others were slow to find jobs or be in contact. I went with the agency that found me the exact job I wanted. I was an individual hire not part of a recruitment drive. Be persistent.

Don, I am not sure what you mean by pay less... it is the council who pays the salary not the agency... at least for f/t permanent recruits.  I went through BBT... pm me any questions amity. congrats on your registration coming through, that's great news!

The Council pays the agency which pays you (if you're locum) so the agency takes their cut.

I was told that BBT paid less to their workers than other agencies in this area......

That's really helpful.  Thank you.  I personally feel that I want the best position and though a relocation package is great, i would rather work with an agency that will be persistant and an advocate for me to find the best job.  I have been trying to get in touch with BBT again, but they haven't responded yet.  When I initially was contacted by them, I spoke w/ a rep that appears to no longer be working there.  So I'm at a loss at this point, but it appears that they have a lot of opportunities.  I have been looking online at the Community Care website and that's how I found the Dream Group. 

Do you think if I found a position listed on a Council website that I was interested in, that I could approach a recruitment agency to try to get me that job?  Or am I at the mercy of the agency to only interview for positions that they find? 

What can I be doing in the mean time to try to move this process along? 

Thanks for the congrats on receiving my registration.  That was a huge relief and and big accomplishment.  For those interested in going to Scotland, it only took the SSSC about 4-5 wks to approve from the time they received my app.  A lot faster than anticipated. 

If you can tell, I'm having a little anxiety as I feel like time keeps ticking away and nothing is happening.  I just hope our goal of coming at the end of July is realistic. 

Thanks for all of your comments and would love to hear more! 
amity

My husband is a Social Worker in London and he got his job directly through the borough. He did research on the different boroughs and then contacted the ones he was interested in. He registered with agencies as well, but he got an offer before any of the agencies found anything. I'm not sure which is the best way to go, but you could always try applying directly to the borough.

Once you get the interview and job the rest is all downhill. I worked hard scouring council websites and agencies. I did have call backs from a couple of councils but they were inexperienced on how to hold an interview and do the paperwork and so was I. Often this is the case, and that's why many like going through agencies. Agencies get a hefty fee when they find a permanent f/t hire and that doesn't come out of your salary. Likewise, if you are locum they take out of your salary instead.

Many councils offer relocation packages too. They can vary greatly though so ask around.

You are your best advocate. Don't wait for them to call you back... CALL THEM! I was a bit of a stalker but I got the job eventually. 

So I have a Masters in Counseling from the US and have been working as a therapist for children and families for 8 years or so.  I am more interested in direct care and interventions (especially ages 0-5).  Would anyone know what I could do in the UK? I believe I have to get registered with the BCA.   I know this thread has been about social workers, but in the positionss I've held in the US, we (Counselors/Social Workers) have all done the same job.

Smootie, the process for registration is very different for SW and counselors here and the jobs we do are likewise very different. You best resource will be BCA for info on what you are qualified to do in the UK. Good luck!

in the US, we (Counselors/Social Workers) have all done the same job.

very true, but not the always the case in the UK. I have colleagues who have never cracked open a DSM.

What exactly do you mean by direct care and interventions? Mental health stuff?

good luck!

Thanks for the tip.

Yeah - I mean mental health therapy and family counseling, as well as Play Therapy.

Smootie, you could most likely find a job that would utilise your present skills....check out Community Care and Health magazine job ads.....

has anyone had any success with UK-pro?