Calling all Social Workers

Any agency workers out there hearing anything about the effects of the upcoming budget cuts?  I was told by my agency that there are no worries and agency spots will increase due to the freeze on hiring...but the agency would say that wouldn't they?   I am not sure what to think about whether budget cuts will hit the Child Protection area of Social Work as it is such an understaffed area anyway...

Any agency workers out there hearing anything about the effects of the upcoming budget cuts?  I was told by my agency that there are no worries and agency spots will increase due to the freeze on hiring...but the agency would say that wouldn't they?   I am not sure what to think about whether budget cuts will hit the Child Protection area of Social Work as it is such an understaffed area anyway...

I'm not sure, but up North, I've been hearing of about 20% cuts, both from 'back office' natural attrition in the council and not replacing social work staff that leave for whatever reason.

Certainly have noticed in my work that getting an allocated social worker for our clients is getting tougher and we are doing more long term work in the voluntary sector with clients. 

It's a 'wait and see' climate, I think. 

My office has stopped providing cover for those on long-term sick and maternity.  The end result being our staff is down by about one third with no forseeable change.  I got allocated seven new cases this month even though it had been agreed I had enough before that.

I have no doubts that there will be deep cuts, I am just hoping that it doesn't hit Child Protection quite as hard due to the ongoing media stories that illustrate the need for more CP Social Workers, not less.  I would think that any Local Authority would think twice when cutting CP Social Workers as the end result of such a move would lead to a much higher risk of a Baby P type tragedy.  It will be interesting to see just how deep these cuts are going to go....

Councils warn home secretary over migrant cap impact on care

Council chiefs have told Home Office officials that a cap on overseas social workers will weaken child protection teams, putting vulnerable children at risk.

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/09/02/115228/councils-warn-home-secretary-over-migrant-cap-impact.htm

ETA: Social worker vacancy rates in the UK: a special report

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/static-pages/articles/social-worker-vacancy-rates/

£1,500 Frontline Supplement
£1,500 Market Supplement
£2,000 Start up payment


I saw this in a job posting... Can you all explain the supplements and start up?

Wow, that's more than I get.  I only have one supplement.  There are some positions that are harder to fill (namely Children's Services) that will have your regular salary and then tack on some bonuses to make it nicer.  In my council it is split up each month and added in with our paychecks.  I'm guessing the start-up one is just for your first time working with them, but the others will continue for following years.

Hi,
I am very interested in social work as a career, but unfortunately have not made my splash into the job market.  My husband and I are moving to England in a few months.  I have been looking at social work jobs in England and have noticed many require you to be a qualified social worker.  I have my bachelors degree in Psychology-so I am not technically qualified -although I did my internship in school through a social work agency.  Anyways...I am looking to work with children and families.  I will continue to look at job postings, does anyone know of any particular place to start? I am considering finding somewhere to volunteer for awhile.
 My long term plan is to start school at the University of Nottingham to receive my MA in social work.  Does anyone know if this is equivalent to the MSW degree in the States?  Also-how difficult are English universities compared to American?
I love that there is such a large amount of social workers on this site-it is an amazing career choice! 

Rmadge, as you have figured out, you will not be able to practice as a qualified social worker without a social work degree, unfortunately.

I'd become familiar with the General Social Care Council website:
http://www.gscc.org.uk/Home/

This is a good thread for you to have a look at.

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=63173.15

and also here:

http://ww2.prospects.ac.uk/p/types_of_job/social_worker_job_description.jsp

Hope that helps! 

Hi all!  I was wondering- I am a MSW student at Edinburgh University and will not graduate until 2012.  I heard that by 2012 social care jobs will be taken off the occupation list- does this mean I will not be able to find a tier 2 sponsor when I graduate?

Hi mush-girl,

Can you tell me where you got this information from?  Thanks

Does anyone know about doing a conversion from SW to psych or counselling? I love social work but I miss being a therapist since it is not the role of a social worker in the UK like it is in the USA.

You can do counselling still.  I have a small private practice with my MSW, and I did family work with my last job where my previous boss told me I could do straight counselling in the organization if I wanted to.  I sometimes have to explain that my training was different in the States, and I've had to quit using diagnostic labels that I had to use for insurance in the States (it isn't legal for counsellors to diagnose in the UK).

If you want more credibility, you may want to join the NACP (www.bacp.co.uk).  You should qualify; you just have to show that your training met the required standards.  I was going to do it, but haven't got around to it as I don't have the funds for several memberships. 

There are schools that do training for clinical social work in the UK though--just so you know.  Not many people realize it, but there are social workers doing counselling.  I have a friend who did clinical training in her masters of social work at Oxford, and when I set up my liability insurance with BASW, I spoke with them about making sure my counselling was covered.  I was told that while not many did it, that there were others in BASW doing clinical work and that it would be covered by the liability insurance.

You can do counselling still.  I have a small private practice with my MSW, and I did family work with my last job where my previous boss told me I could do straight counselling in the organization if I wanted to.  I sometimes have to explain that my training was different in the States, and I've had to quit using diagnostic labels that I had to use for insurance in the States (it isn't legal for counsellors to diagnose in the UK).

If you want more credibility, you may want to join the NACP (www.bacp.co.uk).  You should qualify; you just have to show that your training met the required standards.  I was going to do it, but haven't got around to it as I don't have the funds for several memberships. 

There are schools that do training for clinical social work in the UK though--just so you know.  Not many people realize it, but there are social workers doing counselling.  I have a friend who did clinical training in her masters of social work at Oxford, and when I set up my liability insurance with BASW, I spoke with them about making sure my counselling was covered.  I was told that while not many did it, that there were others in BASW doing clinical work and that it would be covered by the liability insurance.

Is it easy to get a social work job with a MSW? 

Is it easy to get a social work job with a MSW? 

From my experience and what I've heard of others, it is just about the qualification and not the actual degree earned like in the US. I have both and it has been my experience that has made my career advance.

Newly qualified social workers can find it a bit more difficult to find work especially in their preferred areas if they lack experience in the population.

Some employers are willing to take a chance on NQSW but others want employees that can be up and running.

There are jobs out there so just expect that it may be difficult because the market can be competitive depending on the area you wish to pursue.