Calling all Social Workers

That's great news, Cadenza!  I'll be wishing you nothing but the best of luck.   

Good luck, Cadenza! Hope it turns out well!

good luck cadenza. i booked marked both of the references....it's exciting to see these type of models in the UK. have you worked in the "homebuilders" model before? it is incredibly rewarding. i was trained by david haapala, the other founder of the model and jill's husband. i managed a programme for a few years and the families had such fantastic results. i do hope you get one of the posts as it would be great to hear about innovative approaches in the UK.

Thank you all, and there you go Kerry H, making me want the job even more!  This is gonna make me nuts!

cadenza...i'm just really excited to hear how this programme works here in the UK...i would love to chat with you when (not if ) you get the post! keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks mapleleafgirl and olive!  And good luck Cadenza!

I got the post!!!

Now I'm a combination of anxious and excited.  I hate new job jitters, but hopefully I will do well.  They seemed impressed that I really knew the program and understood their value base (yea for extra research!)  I even told them of my communication with Kerry H who worked with some of the founders

I think the moment that things came together was in the interview when I told them I was going to disclose a bit.  I confided that I had felt very frustrated with looking for openings in the UK because the first question everyone asks is "do you work with children or with adults."  I said I felt there was something fundamentally flawed in this kind of thinking, and how was I to make a difference for children if I wasn't also working with the adults that influenced their lives?  When I looked at the panel, all of them were nodding to this--always a good sign.  I was also impressed that one of the few questions they asked me was checking my boundaries to know if I could take care of myself.  I like knowing that an employer wants to be mindful of this.

I also had to do a ten-minute role play before the interview with actors playing a family in crisis.  Talk about pressure!!  Nothing like trying to talk down an angry 13 year-old girl in front of a panel of judges!

So here I go!  It will be a bit before the council HR types do their thing.  Hopefully I'll have enough time to pull things in order (and to buy the car I told them I'd have!)  I'm really glad that I kept looking.  I didn't think I was going to find anything out there that worked for me and I was starting to look at temping with a care agency, but I am very happy to be working in an innovative program that bridges more of a gap.

I got the post!!!

Now I'm a combination of anxious and excited.  I hate new job jitters, but hopefully I will do well.  They seemed impressed that I really knew the program and understood their value base (yea for extra research!)  I even told them of my communication with Kerry H who worked with some of the founders

I think the moment that things came together was in the interview when I told them I was going to disclose a bit.  I confided that I had felt very frustrated with looking for openings in the UK because the first question everyone asks is "do you work with children or with adults."  I said I felt there was something fundamentally flawed in this kind of thinking, and how was I to make a difference for children if I wasn't also working with the adults that influenced their lives?  When I looked at the panel, all of them were nodding to this--always a good sign.  I was also impressed that one of the few questions they asked me was checking my boundaries to know if I could take care of myself.  I like knowing that an employer wants to be mindful of this.

I also had to do a ten-minute role play before the interview with actors playing a family in crisis.  Talk about pressure!!  Nothing like trying to talk down an angry 13 year-old girl in front of a panel of judges!

So here I go!  It will be a bit before the council HR types do their thing.  Hopefully I'll have enough time to pull things in order (and to buy the car I told them I'd have!)  I'm really glad that I kept looking.  I didn't think I was going to find anything out there that worked for me and I was starting to look at temping with a care agency, but I am very happy to be working in an innovative program that bridges more of a gap.

Congratulations! Enjoy your new post! 

Hi folks- I'm interviewing with UK Pro in August and wanted some info from folks who have done it.  I'm a little leery of the fact that they are in such need for social workers and have heard some horror stories about social work in the UK. 

Anybody have any advice?  If I was offered a job and took it, I would be moving my husband and 8 month old over there with me.  We're up for an adventure but I don't want to be walking into a horrible job over there!

Thanks!
Mindy

I got the post!!!

congrats cadenza!!!!! the role play as part of the interview is something they do in the states as well. i'm excited to hear what you think of the programme....i do think this is one of the most effective interventions in working with families. ooooohhh...it's exciting you mentioned our commmunitcation as part of your interview...i hope it helped!

maybe we should have a chat once you've been in the post for a bit. do you know when your start date might be? i've been on holiday...and will be in the states til mid-july...but let me know.

The post is with the Council, so who knows when it will start.  I have to wait for HR to get through all their bureaucratic fun.  I'm guessing it might be a month or so.  Thanks for the support.  I'll have to PM you when I'm getting further into the program.  I had a chat with her yesterday.  She had me come in to clarify a few contractual things.  I think it will be good.  It was definitely interesting.

Hello,

I am a licensed professional counselor in the state of Georgia.  I have an MA in psycholgoy/professional counseling.  My experience includes case management as well as working with those with severe mental health disorders.  Can someone please tell me the requirements for the GSCC?  It is STRICTLY someone who has a BSW/MSW despite experience and licensure?  As most of you know, in the USA an LPC is equivalent to an LCSW.  Does this matter in the UK?  Any information would be most helpful, as my husband and I are relocating to the UK within the new few weeks.  Thank you!

I think it is unlikely that you can register as a social worker here. See
http://www.gscc.org.uk/The+Social+Care+Register/How+to+register/Workers+from+abroad/Country+assessment+guidelines

I think your best bet would be to try and register with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy:

http://www.bacp.co.uk/

Here is a link on the counselling sector here:

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=77&pageno=1

Best of luck!

I agree with Mapleleafgirl.  I don't think it does count the same, actually, in the state I lived in before coming here an LCSW and an LPC didn't count the same either.  We could counsel many of the same people, but when it came to grass-roots casework such as child welfare work, the other professions had to receive additional training besides their degrees to be able to do casework.  Sounds as if your state was more open to the idea.  I just finished my GSCC and found that they focused much more on qualifications (meaning your specific degree, not your license) here than I often saw in the states.  I would dig around the websites and call the GSCC if I were you.  I suspect that BACP may be a more feasible option though.

I have the same problem in reverse.  I'm doing a little private therapy for my church group in this city.  I'm trained and qualified as an LCSW.  I have years of experience, and I have my GSCC, but people don't always recognize that social workers can be clinically trained here.  I've decided to join the BACP as well just to clear up any doubts.

Thanks, Mapleleafgirl and Cadenza.  Really appreciate your input.  Yeah, from what I was reading it sounds as if I would definitely need to apply to the BACP.  I had already contacted someone regarding applying.  Actually, the VA (Federal agency) recently approved for LPCs to apply and work in the same positions the only LCSWs could apply for previously.  Believe it or not, I do more case work than anything else.  Anyway, thanks again for the info.  Good luck with applying to the BACP!  Take care and will keep you all posted as we move forth.