Calling all Social Workers

IME, you might find these links useful if you would like UK information, if you haven't found them already:

http://www.yjb.gov.uk/en-gb/
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/youth-crime/
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/social_worker_job_description.jsp

Hi all. I just thought I'd post here to try to find some help and guidance. I don't have a SW degree but I have a degree within the social service field and have been working as a social worker/ case manager in an agency in the US for the past year. I am moving to England (specifically St. Albans area) in 3 weeks and am wondering what type of jobs within that realm I would be qualified to do? Do you think I need to register with the GSCC, they may not even accept my degree. It seems that most or all SW jobs need you to be registered with them but I don't think I'd qualify. The other jobs I see you typically need a car for which I won't have. If there is still such a demand, so you think I will have any luck getting a job within this realm with a year's experience in SW and 3 more years in helping people with disabilities? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

You could try jobs labelled social work assistant or care assistant. I think at some point, the GSCC intends to register those in social work / care support roles at some stage.

http://www.socialworkcareers.co.uk/

Look for care / social work unqualified:

http://www.hertsdirect.org/ufs/ufsmain?esessionid=9CE17A587D28AEF25337812A7D662D25_1&formid=USR_RECRUIT

I would also contact the GSCC about registration to confirm your ability to register or whther your degree could be recognised as a social work / care support role when / if they intend to register those people with thoe job roles.

http://www.gscc.org.uk/Home/

Best of luck!

Hello, I am new to the forum and I am interested in moving to the UK. I will have completed my MSW in May 2010.
My concerns are:
the salary...cost of living in the UK...relocation assistance...etc.

My background is mostly working with children and families in the capacity of mental health facilities, home visitation/therapy, school social work, non profit organization case manager, and research.

If anyone has any information to offer, please feel free to let me know.

Thanks!

Hello, I am new to the forum and I am interested in moving to the UK. I will have completed my MSW in May 2010.
My concerns are:
the salary...cost of living in the UK...relocation assistance...etc.

My background is mostly working with children and families in the capacity of mental health facilities, home visitation/therapy, school social work, non profit organization case manager, and research.

If anyone has any information to offer, please feel free to IM me.

aol...diggbomb
msn...galaxylove@hotmail.com


Thanks!

Veronica, I would't suggest posting your email address on a public forum. You never know if some creepy suspects might decide to send you something unsavoury!  You can modify your post to remove your email address, if you wish.

ditto on what Jewlz said.

Ok...thanks for the advice. I removed it.

Anyone able to talk to me about moving to the UK...your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Ok...thanks for the advice. I removed it.

Anyone able to talk to me about moving to the UK...your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I think it's possible you would get a better response if you post specific questions in a new thread somewhere, as not everyone will read this particular thread since it is was intended specifically for social workers. I'm not a social worker, but do live in the UK, so I could possibly help if I knew what you specifically wanted to know. 

There is some great information in sticky topics (those in the darker boxes with the thumb-tack icon on the left side) that could get you started, as well as some useful info in the Wiki on this site. For example, for information on cost of living, here is one to get you started:
http://www.uk-yankee.com/wiki-manual/doku.php/finances/cost-of-living...

Feel free to ask any questions in a new thread. People here are very helpful! 

So, I just spoke with UK Pro and they said that because my undergraduate degree is not in Social Work and my MSW (expected in 2010) is in it, I will be considered a newly qualified social worker. Which sorta stinks because I have been working in the field since 2003. My undergraduate degree is in Child Development and Family Relations.

Hmmm...I thought I made it clear that I was in school for social worker, working toward my Master degree. Sorry if I didn't. I know I posted my experiences in the field earlier. But yes, my undergraduate degree is in Child Development and Family Relations and my Master is in Social Work. I am just becoming concerned with the type of pay I would receive and the availability of jobs being that they might consider me as a newly qualified social worker, when I have been in the field for years.

Hmmm...I thought I made it clear that I was in school for social worker, working toward my Master degree. Sorry if I didn't. I know I posted my experiences in the field earlier. But yes, my undergraduate degree is in Child Development and Family Relations and my Master is in Social Work. I am just becoming concerned with the type of pay I would receive and the availability of jobs being that they might consider me as a newly qualified social worker, when I have been in the field for years.

Unfortunately, the UK requires you have a social work degree before they consider you a social worker.  I'm moving over as a social worker in January.  I got my MSW 3 years ago and the GSCC considers me a "newly qualified social worker" but my employer considered the fact that I have 3+ years of child protective services experience post MSW and I was offered a senior practioner position.

I actually believe that the US should have the same requirements for people to call themselves social workers, but that's another conversation   

Unfortunately, the UK requires you have a social work degree before they consider you a social worker.  I'm moving over as a social worker in January.  I got my MSW 3 years ago and the GSCC considers me a "newly qualified social worker" but my employer considered the fact that I have 3+ years of child protective services experience post MSW and I was offered a senior practioner position.

I actually believe that the US should have the same requirements for people to call themselves social workers, but that's another conversation   

I agree with you because anyone can consider themselves Social Workers in the US. I feel that is unacceptable. So that is hopeful that they considered your experience. I have 7 years of experience as well as studying abroad in the UK on the Social Care Policies. So I am hoping that will fair well with them. I am on the hunt for information now but according to UK Pro, I wouldn't be applying until around graduation time.

It shouldn't affect your ability to get hired in the UK. It may affect your salary starting point. I got a little bump because of my experience in CPS and court.

It shouldn't affect your ability to get hired in the UK. It may affect your salary starting point. I got a little bump because of my experience in CPS and court.

Yeah I am hoping that it will not affect the starting salary as much for me.

In the US we tend to label ourselves with our degrees and/or licenses. Social workers don't do that in the UK so it was very necessary to distinguish the people who trained as social workers from those who just got a job in the field.

I have a BSW and a MSW and had a license to practice in schools but here I am just a social worker... no comment on whether that was at degree or diploma level let alone master's level.

Most local authorities will give an experienced foreign social worker a higher level on the pay scale but they do recognize that you are foreign and therefore 'newly qualified' on those grounds. Some LA are setting up schemes to protect the caseloads of NQSW so if you are offered a low pay grade make sure you ask whether that is in place, not likely but I've seen most LAs to be flexible with what pay grade they start you on.