Calling all Social Workers

Okay I will give it a shot...


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.

So, are you skipping that whole fiancee visa thing- just getting married and coming over on a spousal visa? I suggested the HSMP because I didn't realize your situation. I would think with an approved CCW that should be sufficient for employability straight away.

Can you do locum positions if you are planning on staying in Wales permanently? 

Yes

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. 

Quite simple, councils are desperate for qualified people so they will pay more.


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?

You would likely have to go through an employment agency as councils general just handle their permanent employment only.

Isn't locum work just about the timeframe of being a temororary position, or is there more to it? 

That's how I see 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?

Nope not really if you just have the mindset it is temporary. I think it is a great way to get to know a place and organization before committing.

I'm curious how long it will take to send me the information though. 

I got the GSCC application quickly. Take an opportunity now to organize all of your experience and documents and arrange your references and who will need to verify your stuff.

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 went to American Express Travel to have it done. You may want to call up American Express and see how they can do it for you. I think it cost about $20 to cut the check.

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.

After my two years or so in England, I would like to work in Wales. So perhaps then I will be the one hitting you up for info!! As you know, Welsh is spoken in addition to English so from what I've seen, jobs do prefer people to have Welsh as a second language... but beggars can't be choosers. 

Reed has an office in Cardiff... just google stuff like social work recruiting wales and see what else you get.

http://www.reedhealth.com/content_static/looking_for_work.asp?session_id={9825DFB8-EA05-435F-BCB0-0C6ED612F2D5}

Also, some big social care agencies have branches in Bristol and they would handle employment in Wales.

This is a favorite site for general info.

http://www.workgateways.com/job-social-work.html


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?


There are social workers who do clinical work but on the whole it is not that common and considered very specialized. It would be worth asking the office what you would need to do if you accept that job.

Good luck and feel free to ask more questions. That's what we're here for!!

Hello, all!  I've got yet another question.

As I'm still working on my BSW, I was thinking about going over to England next summer with BUNAC.  Is there any sort of temporary job related to social work that one could get during the summer?  Obviously, I can't get an actual social work job yet, but my intent is to use my summer break to gain some relevant work experience that'll beef up my CV once it's time to start looking for a "real" job post-graduation.

Thanks! 

PS:  I'm aiming to work with the elderly once I'm qualified, but any work experience is good experience.

Hi Gladene,

Will you still be unqualified next summer? I am not sure how BUNAC hooks unqualified people up with jobs but it is worth asking what they know. If you are just a US citizen it is hard to just come over for the summer and work because of visa matters because an unqualified position should be filled by a local. Schemes like BUNAC may offer a foot in the door though.

Good luck!

BUNAC gives 6-month work permits to college students/recent college graduates.    I won't be able to do any actual social work over the summer, but I just thought maybe there was some kind of relevant job out there for someone who just wants to get her feet wet for the time being.   

Thanks for the input!

BUNAC gives 6-month work permits to college students/recent college graduates.    I won't be able to do any actual social work over the summer, but I just thought maybe there was some kind of relevant job out there for someone who just wants to get her feet wet for the time being.   

Thanks for the input!

Yes-Social Work Assistants

That will all vary according to location and if councils want summer hires. As I mentioned before, BUNAC will be your best bet to ask what is out there for unqualified social workers in your position.

Yes-Social Work Assistants

Perfect!  So there's at least a glimmer of hope.   

Olive, BUNAC offered to send me a brochure (which may or may not have a bit more info than what's listed on their website), so I filled out their form and the packet should be here in a few days. 

Thanks, guys. 

How many of you came over with your GSCC in progress?  I bought my ticket and I'm nervous my application won't be processed by the time I get there.  I have been assured by one agency that they can still get me a job....

You cannot come over these days without the document in hand. That agency is talking rubbish and I'd watch out for anything else they promised you. Get everything in writing!!!!!!!

I just got an email from HR today saying they didn't have my GSCC on record. My agency failed to pass that on to them. I've been here for nearly 8 months and had it  4 months prior to that! Grrr, agencies. 

If coming from America and working with children and other populations, how did anyone pass the Criminal Background clearance in the UK? I looked up on the CRB website and they said they do not get info from the US. And for most of these jobs, you cannot start until they have your clearance. A quandary to me... what did all you guys do?

You just need an FBI check....easy. Go to the FBI website and get the details or your local pd should be able to tell you how to do it. Cost about $16, I think.

$16 would be nice.  Mine in Idaho costs $45.  I'm getting it done along with turning in my CCW paperwork (Wales GCSW).  Did your GCSW paperwork make you list every job since high school?  The Welsh CCW does.  That's not too bad when you are a few years out of high school like many young social workers, but in my 30s that's a lot of part-time jobs!!  Not fun! Oh well, I will do what I have to do.

Well, Cadenza, the GSCC had us list all jobs since age 16 and at almost 50 years old, that's a lot of jobs! I couldn't even rememebr them all!

Paula, I'm bowing your direction in sympathy!!  I've been whining about having to list them all, but I think I'd rather keep my own list.  Writing down all the jobs in the last 15-16 years is bad enough!  Now I'm just trying to figure out how much they want me to write in this report section.

I'm also trying to figure out what to do about them checking my licensure here.  I've had to do that in other states when I've moved and changed my license, and every state has always made me send a letter and pay a fee before they would do it.  I'm not sure if they will just count someone checking from the UK.  I don't know if I need to try to set up some special pre-pay fee, or just trust the process will work.  I don't even know if I can do some kind of pre-pay thing.  I don't want anything to slow down the process of me being able to work. 

At least I have the benefit of still getting a visa whether I can have my CCW or not.  I'm glad I'm coming on a spousal visa.

I was just offered a job in Scotland to work as a Children and Families sw'er.  My recruitment agency told me that the Home office should have received the work permit application on Wed. Aug 9th.  Being that social workers are still on the shortage list, how long did it take most of you to get your work permit in hand?  Also, for those of you with US spouses, did your spouse then complete the work permit dependent application for the entry clearance visa?  We are trying to get everything together for the time when I receive the work permit.  If so, what supporting documents did you and your spouse provide?  Were you able to send in your visa applications together with the same set of supporting documents? 

Several questions that I just really need answered.  If anyone can help out, that would be great!  Thank you in advance!