Calling all Social Workers

It is confusing because the site makes it seem as if you need your degree before you register. But other people have registered before graduating and also the recruiting agencies ask for me to register now.

I understand what the site is saying but other people are saying differently and recruitment agencies are requesting differently.

I guess I need to understand who do you mean by other people? The only people I know that can register before holding a social work degree are student social workers doing social work degrees in England. The student social work status is for them only.

The recruitment agencies cannot help you find work unless you are registered - this is why they push it. Their motivation is to get their cut of pay when / if they place you in a social work position.

But you cannot register with GSCC until you gain your CSWE recognised MSW when you graduate. Graduate, register with GSCC, then contact the agencies and secure an appropriate visa. 

I guess I need to understand who do you mean by other people? The only people I know that can register before holding a social work degree are student social workers doing social work degrees in England. The student social work status is for them only.

The recruitment agencies cannot help you find work unless you are registered - this is why they push it. Their motivation is to get their cut of pay when / if they place you in a social work position.

But you cannot register with GSCC until you gain your CSWE recognised MSW when you graduate. Graduate, register with GSCC, then contact the agencies and secure an appropriate visa. 

The other people I have seen on this post are Americans, studying in America. I sent an email to the agencies to ask for more clarification. Because none of them have said that I needed to wait until I graduate to register, they instructed me to register right now. And they have seen my CV and can see that my undergrad is in Child Development and Family Relations. I have years of experience in the field but am currently working on my MSW.

The other people I have seen on this post are Americans, studying in America. I sent an email to the agencies to ask for more clarification. Because none of them have said that I needed to wait until I graduate to register, they instructed me to register right now. And they have seen my CV and can see that my undergrad is in Child Development and Family Relations. I have years of experience in the field but am currently working on my MSW.

These other Americans with American degrees would need to graduate with a CSWE recognised social work degree and meet the supervised placement requirement of 130 days, just like you, before they can register with the GSCC. A degree in Child Development and Family Relations will not allow you to register as a social worker with the GSCC, nor will related / social work equivalent experience prior to studying for your MSW allow you to register as a social worker with the GSCC. This is explicit from the guidance: http://www.gscc.org.uk/gscc/Templates/Anchor.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fThe%2bSocial%2bCare%2bRegister%2fApply%2bfor%2bregistration%2fSocial%2bworkers%2btrained%2band%2bqualified%2boutside%2bthe%2bUK%2fCountry%2bassessment%2bguidance%2f&NRNODEGUID={A9096040-1A3C-408F-811F-A78DF05C9EDF}&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest#38.

The recruitment agencies are motivated by the potential income you may generate for them, hence they are pushing you, even though you will not be eligible to register with the GSCC until you get your CSWE recognised MSW degree. Agencies will not necessarily be au fait with country specific requirements for GSCC registration. The recruitment agencies are motivated by the potential income you may generate for them, hence they are pushing you, even though you will not be eligible to register with the GSCC until you get your CSWE recognised MSW degree.

If you try and register with the GSCC before you graduate, you'll be wasting your money, time and effort, as you simply will not meet the requirements.

If you really need further clarifcation, contact the GSCC directly at registration@gscc.org.uk
or +44 (0)1788 532402 if calling from outside the UK (lines are open 9am - 4pm)
or by post at:
Registration
General Social Care Council
Myson House
Railway Terrace
Rugby
CV21 3HT

Best of luck with it. 

These other Americans with American degrees would need to graduate with a CSWE recognised social work degree and meet the supervised placement requirement of 130 days, just like you, before they can register with the GSCC. A degree in Child Development and Family Relations will not allow you to register as a social worker with the GSCC, nor will related / social work equivalent experience prior to studying for your MSW allow you to register as a social worker with the GSCC. This is explicit from the guidance: http://www.gscc.org.uk/gscc/Templates/Anchor.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fThe%2bSocial%2bCare%2bRegister%2fApply%2bfor%2bregistration%2fSocial%2bworkers%2btrained%2band%2bqualified%2boutside%2bthe%2bUK%2fCountry%2bassessment%2bguidance%2f&NRNODEGUID={A9096040-1A3C-408F-811F-A78DF05C9EDF}&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest#38.

The recruitment agencies are motivated by the potential income you may generate for them, hence they are pushing you, even though you will not be eligible to register with the GSCC until you get your CSWE recognised MSW degree. Agencies will not necessarily be au fait with country specific requirements for GSCC registration. The recruitment agencies are motivated by the potential income you may generate for them, hence they are pushing you, even though you will not be eligible to register with the GSCC until you get your CSWE recognised MSW degree.

If you try and register with the GSCC before you graduate, you'll be wasting your money, time and effort, as you simply will not meet the requirements.

If you really need further clarifcation, contact the GSCC directly at registration@gscc.org.uk
or +44 (0)1788 532402 if calling from outside the UK (lines are open 9am - 4pm)
or by post at:
Registration
General Social Care Council
Myson House
Railway Terrace
Rugby
CV21 3HT

Best of luck with it. 

Thanks! It still doesn't make sense for them to even push for it because regardless it will not benefit them.

That's not to say, Veronica, that you can't start filling in the appropriate GSCC forms and gathering the appropriate documents for registration now. But you can't send off your registration pack until you have graduated and have proof of the MSW certificate and transcripts and you are sure you meet the 130 day requirement, as per all the stuff outlined in the link. It is only the GSCC that can clarify what you need to do regarding registration, not the agencies.

The agencies don't know the ins and outs necessarily of registering with the GSCC if you are a foreign qualified social worker. All they know is, if you have GSCC registration, they can place you and get their commission. Hence the push. They don't care if you won't meet the requirements - it wouldn't be them losing out on the registration fee, but you would be. I'd contact them only after you receive GSCC registration really.

Hope that clarifies further. Good luck!   

That's not to say, Veronica, that you can't start filling in the appropriate GSCC forms and gathering the appropriate documents for registration now. But you can't send off your registration pack until you have graduated and have proof of the MSW certificate and transcripts and you are sure you meet the 130 day requirement, as per all the stuff outlined in the link. It is only the GSCC that can clarify what you need to do regarding registration, not the agencies.

The agencies don't know the ins and outs necessarily of registering with the GSCC if you are a foreign qualified social worker. All they know is, if you have GSCC registration, they can place you and get their commission. Hence the push. They don't care if you won't meet the requirements - it wouldn't be them losing out on the registration fee, but you would be. I'd contact them only after you receive GSCC registration really.

Hope that clarifies further. Good luck!   

Ok thanks!

Interesting report on overseas workers in the UK social care, children and young people sector From January 2007:

http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/research/research_reports/migrationintotheUK.aspx

Click on the bottom link.

I'm probably a little late here, but Maple is right - you have to have your MSW certificate or be able to show you have graduated with your MSW on your transcript before you apply to the GSCC. I graduated in May of 2009, and in April 2009 I emailed the GSCC asking if I could apply since I was a month from graduation and they said no.

On top of the information here, I definitely recommend emailing the GSCC directly. I couldn't be more pleased with their response time when it comes to answering any questions about the registration process.

Five years in the making, but I finally sent off my registration packet. Fingers crossed!

I'm probably a little late here, but Maple is right - you have to have your MSW certificate or be able to show you have graduated with your MSW on your transcript before you apply to the GSCC. I graduated in May of 2009, and in April 2009 I emailed the GSCC asking if I could apply since I was a month from graduation and they said no.

On top of the information here, I definitely recommend emailing the GSCC directly. I couldn't be more pleased with their response time when it comes to answering any questions about the registration process.

Five years in the making, but I finally sent off my registration packet. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for letting us know you experience!  Is there any information regarding processing times for internationally qualified applicants?

Yes mapleleafgirl is correct.

Start gathering your evidence now because that takes the longest time. You will also need someone to verify your work so start a dialogue with the head so they know what you are planning and will be interested to read your application once you pass.

Also, salaries are extremely negotiable but what they will look at is your year of degree hence the comment about newly qualified status. So make sure you tout your experience during interviews and prove that you warrant a higher salary. Salaries also depend on where the job is... central London SW jobs have London weighting and rural counties have lower wages inline with cost of living.

There is a transformation going on at the moment with the SW profession. Some local authorities will offer newly qualified SWers protected caseloads and additional support. That is worth asking about especially since you will be new to the country.

I suggest signing up to many recruitment agencies. You will see different working practices and get a feel for the one you can 'trust' the most. Even the best ones can let you down at the last moment so be sure to get everything in writing particularly in relation to relocation and any perks like airport pick up.

Finally, have a long think about the kind of SW you want to do and don't accept anything less. They are desperate to fill  child protection jobs but if you didn't want to do it in the states you definitely don't want to do it here.

Good luck.

Yes mapleleafgirl is correct.

Start gathering your evidence now because that takes the longest time. You will also need someone to verify your work so start a dialogue with the head so they know what you are planning and will be interested to read your application once you pass.

Also, salaries are extremely negotiable but what they will look at is your year of degree hence the comment about newly qualified status. So make sure you tout your experience during interviews and prove that you warrant a higher salary. Salaries also depend on where the job is... central London SW jobs have London weighting and rural counties have lower wages inline with cost of living.

There is a transformation going on at the moment with the SW profession. Some local authorities will offer newly qualified SWers protected caseloads and additional support. That is worth asking about especially since you will be new to the country.

I suggest signing up to many recruitment agencies. You will see different working practices and get a feel for the one you can 'trust' the most. Even the best ones can let you down at the last moment so be sure to get everything in writing particularly in relation to relocation and any perks like airport pick up.

Finally, have a long think about the kind of SW you want to do and don't accept anything less. They are desperate to fill  child protection jobs but if you didn't want to do it in the states you definitely don't want to do it here.

Good luck.

Generally, good advice here.   I would also consider applying directly to councils - some councils will sponsor you for a work permit. See http://www.socialworkcareers.co.uk/links/authorities.asp

The only catch is, in terms of the jobs shortage list at the moment for Tier 2 visas (see http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/) for social work, it's only in children's and family services (i.e. child protection):
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/workingintheuk/shortageoccupationlist.pdf  and http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/migrantworkers

For any new-ishly arrived foreign qualified social workers, I also recommend the following courses for post registration training and learning requirements to understand the health and welfare system here and the legal framework. You could see if your agency / local authority employer would financially offer support for these courses as you would be liable for international student fee levels:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/k101.htm
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/k270.htm

RE: fees http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/faq.aspx?t=S&cat=1-1GSQZC

The law course is part of the BA (Hons) Social Work Studies, for qualified social workers, which would fulfil post registration training and learning and provide an excellent foundation for understanding of UK social work practice:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/b59.htm

ETA: and the law course is also linked to the Diploma in Health and Social Care and the BA (Hons) Health and Social Care, which would also fulfil post registration training and learning and provide an excellent foundation for understanding of UK social work practice:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/d10.htm
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/b18.htm
choosing the courses most aligned with the BA (Hons) Social Work (England) http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/qualification/b32.htm or the BA (Hons) Social Work Studies (as above).

Best wishes.

Thanks for letting us know you experience!  Is there any information regarding processing times for internationally qualified applicants?

Thank YOU! All your input has been super helpful - yours and Olive's.

Last I heard, processing time for non-UK applicants is (was?) six weeks. I'll post word as soon as I hear back from them.

Thank YOU! All your input has been super helpful - yours and Olive's.

Last I heard, processing time for non-UK applicants is (was?) six weeks. I'll post word as soon as I hear back from them.

You are more than welcome! I just wish I had had this kind of information support and resource regarding social work when I first arrived in the UK. And in answer to my own question re: processing times, it looks like 16 weeks for internationally qualified applicants has remained standard since 2005. No change then.

http://www.gscc.org.uk/The+Social+Care+Register/Registration+processing+times/   

BTW, I still recommend the Open University's Understanding Health and Social Care (K101) and The Law and Social Work in England and Wales (K270) for anyone new to social work practice in the UK.

For any new-ishly arrived foreign qualified social workers, I also recommend the following courses for post registration training and learning requirements to understand the health and welfare system here and the legal framework. You could see if your agency / local authority employer would financially offer support for these courses as you would be liable for international student fee levels:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/k101.htm
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/k270.htm

RE: fees http://www3.open.ac.uk/contact/faq.aspx?t=S&cat=1-1GSQZC

Adult health, social care and wellbeing (K217) would also be of further help if you are working with adults http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/k217.htm and Working together for children (KE312) http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/ke312.htm is good if you are working with children aged 0 - 12 from a UK practice perspective or Youth: perspectives and practice (KE308) for working with older children from a UK practice perspective http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/course/ke308.htm

Best wishes.

Very quick question for those who have their GSCC registration...

I know GSCC says it takes up to 16 weeks for US applicants, and I know it varies depending on a variety of things, but how long did it actually take for you, personally, to find out you have been added to the register? Just curious.

Mine was over the 16 weeks, maybe 20 weeks from memory, though this was in the days of having to do the equivalency report (2005) that wound up being bigger than my dissertation and now that I understand people don't have to do it, maybe I can be discounted?