Calling all Social Workers

I didn't think you were curt, sorry if I came off the same.  Wouldn't it be nice if someone could spell things out for us sometimes?  I appreciate the advise of everyone here.

For those that have gone over shortly after finishing their SW degree (whether it be BSW or MSW), who has used the 6 mo. BUNAC visa vs. other methods of getting needed visa?

Just curious as to whether it is more beneficial to go the BUNAC route or not...

I'd say many councils want trained social workers and would even be willing to hire new grads (less paid of course.) I think the BUNAC would afford you choice and an opportunity to gain experience and possibly just make an easy transition to a permanent position if you choose to stay.

Thanks for the response Olive Oyl   I'm considering both options, and I'm sure more clarity will be provided as I get into talks with various agencies 

Can anyone suggest jobs for an undergrad BSW student that will help beef up their CV?

Particularly jobs dealing with child welfare, but any advice would be nice.

EDIT:  Anyone?

I'm trying to convince my best friend (currently a CPS social worker in CA) to move over to the U.K. with me. Unfortunately she just spoke with another SW who has just moved back after only a year in the U.K. She HATED it. As did the rest of the cohort of four women SWs who all went to London at the same time. Apparently, they all worked in outer London boroughs and were appalled. The list of complaints ranged from the offices being still in the Stone Age (no email, reports done by hand...as in handwriting!) to the leniency of the law towards child abusers.

Oh dear. Is there something comforting I can tell her? Are other councils different? We're planning a move to Oxfordshire after my husband retires and I really want my best friend to come too.

Thanks.
Bel

What kind of reaction do you guys get from people in the community.  I've been surprised at the harsh comments I've heard from so many of my British associates about social workers.  They are always preceded with a few words like, "I'm sure you're not like this, and maybe it's different in the states, but..." Then they go on to say that the general perception out there is that people go into social work because they don't have enough skills or intelligence to do other jobs.  Yesterday DF was telling me about how my future sister-in-law, who works for her local council, was saying that the social workers on her council are the laziest people she's met in her life--sitting around accomplishing nothing and avoiding taking any cases that might be difficult.  She was sharing it in a context of saying that if I worked hard, I should be able to advance quickly and do well, because most of the people there didn't even try.  That really surprised me since most social workers I know are constantly working very hard.  Nobody so far seems to imply that I would be that way as a social worker, but I'm surprised at some of the animosity I've heard towards the profession. 

Is this just me bumping into several people with strong prejudice, or is the perception of our profession really that bad there and that is part of why there is such a shortage of qualified workers?  I mean, we don't always have the greatest support here either, but I at least feel like I can gain respect for my career choice.  I didn't go into this for acclaim and respect, but I'm wondering what kind of attitudes I will face once I'm there.

I've been surprised at the harsh comments I've heard from so many of my British associates about social workers. 

I feel like this is true every where.  Either people think that you are some sort of saint giving people 'hope' or they think you are doing something that is a total waste of time.


So I arrived three days ago on a BUNAC visa, GSCC certified and all that.  I am now getting the runaround from three agencies who tell me that it will take weeks before I get an interview.  How long did it take others who came over like this on BUNAC? 

Also: should I be registering for as many agencies as possible?  I met with someone from Synergy Group yesterday who recommended that I not register with too many agencies because they all get the same jobs. 

As a side note if your coming over with a BUNAC visa don't bother wasting your time with Zonehealth recruitment.  Met with lady from there today who was so unprofessional.  She called me in for an interview to tell me that she would not be able to get me a job due to her visa.  I went all the way down there for her to tell me this and then say, 'yeah sorry guess I should have told you that before I called you for an interview.' 

Other than all that, I'm happy to be here.

just giving everyone the heads up.

its not that easy to get a job here with your bunac visa.  might be much better off getting recruited before you come.  i am being rejected for jobs left and right because i don't have uk experience.

i am being rejected for jobs left and right because i don't have uk experience.

sorry you are having a rough time  what is difficult is that you are competing with locum social workers already in the country and likely have quite a bit of experience... not necessarily because there are no jobs available or you have no UK experience.

good luck to you!

Aww, sorry to hear that, Robin.     I'm sure you'll find something soon.  It isn't called a shortage field for nothing. 

Thanks for the heads up, too.  So it looks like the best option for recent grads is to go through the agencies that specifically hire foreign SWers.  I assume...

sorry you are having a rough time  what is difficult is that you are competing with locum social workers already in the country and likely have quite a bit of experience... not necessarily because there are no jobs available or you have no UK experience.

good luck to you!

Thanks so much.  Its just not going very well right now.  I probably should not panic yet, I've only been here for about a month.  But I have been told by one agency (I am with 4) that they are having difficulty placing all their BUNAC social workers recently.  Another agency (which will remain nameless because it has been bashed so extensively on this site)  is trying to get to me to leave London and live in Swindon or Birmingham.  In the meantime I'm temping as a teaching assistant.

If anyone has any advice for me..... :

What happened to all the lovely social workers?     Must be super busy with all those clients.   

Here's a random question - exactly how is social work in the UK different from social work in the US?  I think I read somewhere (it may have been in this thread), that for the most part social work isn't really "clinical" in the UK.  But only the SWers in the field would know if that's true or not.

PS:  Robin, how did things turn out for you?

We're still here!!  (and so are the clients!!!)  Hmm, can't seem to work my self out of a job fast enough. 

This thread has loads of info about the differences. I feel more like a paper pusher here than a direct practitioner and definitely work with colleagues who have no clinical knowledge let alone experience.

Phew!  Glad to see you guys are still around and haven't been completely overrun with work.  I was getting worried.   

A paper pusher?  Wow.     I wanted to go into the Community Organization/Policy concentration for my MSW, but I was thinking about doing the Clinical concentration because I assumed a Clinical concentration would be more practical for work in the UK.  Looks like I was a little off with that one.