Calling all Social Workers

has anyone had any success with UK-pro?

I used them.  Read the Grievances section.

has anyone had any success with UK-pro?

I used them. Read the Grievances section.

AF, I almost chocked when I saw robin's post!

AF, I almost chocked when I saw robin's post!

LOL.  I know what you mean!

Ok, this thread is huge so I probably missed something important but ...

I am wondering if there are any opportunities for people who are social administration / public policy folks in the UK and if so where should one start to look?

I know that government jobs are out because of visa restrictions, is there anything else out there?  Even part-time or temp?

Thanks

I just wanted to introduce myself as another social worker!  I don't actually work right now, but I got my BS in social work in 2002, and worked for 3 years in an international adoption agency.  I loved my job and miss it!  Can't wait to get married and get back to work, although most likely not in social work since we'll be moving in less then a year after the wedding.

Good to hear from you, Kristina. If you're interested in working but don't want the commitment of a permanent position, think about going locum....before we imports steal all the jobs! 

Hello everyone!  I can't quite express how grateful I am to have found this board--this thread in particular!  In short, my name's Cynthia.  In the next few weeks I will be finishing up the first year of my MSW, so come June 2007 I shall be done!     My concentration is on aging and long term care--currently I'm placed at a long term care facility that hosts both long term and transitional care (those in for rehab and such before heading on their way) residents--and I love working with this age group! 

My mind's swimming a bit after reading through all these posts, but it has been so great to hear about the different agencies people have used.  I look forward to continue reading through the forum and hearing how everyone is doing! 

Also, I have a bit of a daft question.  I was on the GSCC website hoping to order the packet for social workers qualified outside the UK, so that I could give it a look this summer, but the address boxes aren't quite set up for US addresses.  And the e-mail address provided on the site returned to me as failed.  Any suggestions how I can go about ordering the packet without making a call to the UK? 

Hi to all you new people!!

grassyknoll... social admin and public policy was an interest of mine too. In the UK, those jobs would be more difficult to find just moving over since most councils want child protection workers and want to fill that need. Once you've been here around and know what's around you could definitely find a job doing something related to social admin and public policy. Do you have a social work degree?

as for the GSCC site... just keep trying to put your address in or send them an email. Don't forget to change the country to US but from what I see there are plenty of lines to put in your address.

as for the GSCC site... just keep trying to put your address in or send them an email. Don't forget to change the country to US but from what I see there are plenty of lines to put in your address.

I'll give it a go again   I guess it was the lack of 'state' box but having something for county that threw me off the most.    And the e-mail listed on the site returned to me as a not real address, but I'll give that another shot as well

Does anyone have any good pointers as to where to look for an example CV--one that would be particularly useful for those of us in social work?  UK Pro sent me one when they returned my initial enquiry e-mail, but I was just wondering if anyone had any other good examples? 

hi beatlescowgirl,

I'd suggest registering with a few other social work recruiting agencies. By going with just one you really limit yourself on finding what's out there jobwise. You can google these easy enough. They usually have CV samples and can offer advice on how to present your CV.

I was told to make mine longer and more expansive in terms of what my duties entailed for each job I held. This was valuable because job titles don't really translate here so instead of being stuck of US phrases try to be general and to the point.

Good luck! It's great to be prepared. Use this next year to get a pulse on UK social work. You will thank yourself later!

Thanks jklm!  I'm definitely registering with more than one agency, it's just that CV wise I only have the example from UK Pro so far    This forum has been such a great help though and makes me even more excited about the possibilities!

I used them.  Read the Grievances section.

AF, I did a search and tried to find the section in the grievances that you mentioned, but I couldn't find it.  Would you mind either giving me the link or PMing me your story?  I'm trying to sort out recruitment stuff right now. 

I've had my MSW for over five years now and I'm marrying my brit and coming over.  My visa process will be different than many of the other social workers on this site since I will be looking for permanent employment.  We are a bit nervous about visa stuff b/c he went back to school this year and doesn't really have income to show that he can support me.  He will have plenty next year, but not this year.  I want to have as much of my own employment as I can set up before the wedding so that it will be easy to demonstrate that we can have the income we need to not rely on the system, thus assisting my FLR process.

One concern I've had is that it feels like social work is defined so much more narrowly in the UK.  I've loved my job because it allows me a nice blend of casework and clinical duties.  I've felt like my best work has been with adults.  I particularly prefer working with survivors of abuse to help them overcome it.  Thus far the only jobs I've seen are child welfare related or working with seniors.  What is the experience you've all had?  Can I find jobs that are more like the ones you do in the US with an MSW?  What difference will having my MSW make there?  Most of the jobs I've seen posted are ones that I could have done with my undergraduate training.  I don't want to lose my clinical skills, but I don't want to just be a full-time therapist either.

I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment.  I'm leaving a surprisingly good paying job here.  I can't help but feel like many of my choices are being limited.  One of the things that I've liked about my MSW is that I could do most anything with it here.  I am having a hard time figuring out what is going to happen from here, but if I don't get going on it, I'll be in trouble soon.  Any advice/experience is appreciated.

My visa process will be different than many of the other social workers on this site since I will be looking for permanent employment. 

Many social workers, myself included, who come over are permanently employed with local councils. There are a few who have done BUNAC or qualify for HSMV and choose to do locum work. If you are coming over on your own merit then you shouldn't have any issues getting the appropriate visa.

Many of the jobs you will see posted are child protection focused. If you are persistent and look hard you may find something you like. But you are right, social work in the UK is not as it is in the US and it doesn't really matter if you have an MSW. They do like experience though.

Have you looked at the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa? You may want the flexiblity of doing locum work when you first come over to get your feet wet and earn some good money. Then once you learn the local systems you can find your niche and apply for a permanent position.

Have you applied for your GSCC yet? That's where you need to start.

Okay, I have a bunch of questions, so bear with me. (You all are great, by the way.  I appreciate having people I can ask these questions.  I read the information on the formal websites, but they take it for granted that we use different terminology, and I don't always understand what they are saying or if it applies to me.  Know what I mean?)

Have you looked at the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa? You may want the flexiblity of doing locum work when you first come over to get your feet wet and earn some good money. Then once you learn the local systems you can find your niche and apply for a permanent position.

I haven't looked at HSMV because it is so much easier and clear cut for me to just do my spousal visa--I can't really see any reason to do HSMW.  It looks like I can still work without any problems on my spousal visa.  I don't think I will have a problem getting the visa.  I just need to get things going with social work so I can show employability even if DF hasn't finished his course work and got a new job yet.

You know, that is interesting that you should bring up the locum work.  I hadn't really thought of that.  Can you do locum positions if you are planning on staying in Wales permanently?  It is one thing I have never really understood.  Why would they pay less for someone who wants to stay and contribute to an organization.  It seems like permanent positions should be payed more, not less.  If I am interested in locum work how do I apply for those as compared to a permanent position.  Do the local councils have locum positions, or will I need to talk to just recruitment agencies?  Isn't locum work just about the timeframe of being a temororary position, or is there more to it?  If I get more money and can take the time to figure out what I want to do before getting permanent employment, is there any reason for me to not do it?

Have you applied for your GSCC yet? That's where you need to start.

I am starting the GSCC process now.  Actually for me it will be the CCW since I'm going to be working in Wales.  I sent an email today requesting the application pack for internationally-qualified social workers.  Their information sheet on the site says it takes between 8-10 weeks to get registered when I'm international.  I'm hoping that is an accurate time frame.  I'm curious how long it will take to send me the information though.  I wish there were a way to do it electronically.  It seems funny to not have it available online. 

I will also have to see about how to pay the 155 Pounds.  They say it needs to be in sterling, so I will have to either find a way to get a check from here in sterling or transfer the money into DF's account and somehow get the application stuff to him to send in.  I live in small town Idaho though, so we will have to see if I can even do things like that.  I once tried to exchange some currency and not a single bank in town could help me unless I exchanged hundreds of dollars, and even then I had to pay a hefty fee and wait while they sent away for the money.  Maybe getting a check written will be easier than currency though.  There are times I really miss practicing in bigger cities.  This would have been no problem when I was in New York.

Are there any social workers out there that have experience working in Wales?  Most of the people I've spoken with were based around London or elsewhere in England.  I'm curious about what social work experience is like in the Cardiff area.  Any specific counsel or ideas would be greatly appreciated.  I'm not sure how many of the recruitment places will have experience with Welsh social work.

Okay, and one more question:
It looks as if there is a possibility that the organization that I currently work for may be able to hire me to do some part-time work.  They have an office in Manchester, and they are considering the possibility of hiring part-time therapists to do clinical work in outlying areas.  Can I do clinical counseling with my social work registration?  I have the clinical training and experience and this may be a nice way to keep up my clinical skills even if I am doing child welfare work, but I'm not sure if I will need to register with some other kind of council to do therapy.  Have any of you done clinical work over there?

See, I told you I have a lot of questions.  Sorry to barrage you with them, but it seems like most of the posts here are from people who were just beginning the process of coming over.  I appreciate any help with understanding how it works once I am there.  THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!