Calling all Social Workers

Mapleleafgirl,

Thanks so much for the info.  Will be putting it to good use 

Hi Everyone,

I just received an offer from a council and I'm very much conflicted in whether to accept or not.

On the plus side, the manager seems like such a wonderful person and from what I understand, her team has a very low turnover rate.  She seems like she provides lots of supervision and she was very clear with me that I would never be making a crucial life changing decision for a child without checks and balances ensuring the decision is correct (or as correct as you can get...).  I also felt like I had a good rapport with her from the start.

Here is my dilemma...

Child Protection/Child Services has never been my passion and in the States I worked as a school social worker.  However, I know social workers are not used in the same way as they are in the states and my options for social work here are limited.

My question is: Given lots of support and supervision, are most of you enjoying what you're doing?

Thanks!

Support and supervision, to me, is a cornerstone of good practice for both front line social workers and their teams, as it prevents burn out and a safe place to challenge and reflect on practice. 

Why do you say that your options here are limited? Are you on a particular visa that limits what you can do for work? What area do you want to be in / client group? May be able to advise where to look for rough equivalency?

Some good starter books for UK social work:

The Law and Social Work Edited by Lesley Anne Cull & Jeremy Roche

Social Work in the British Isles Edited by Malcolm Payne and Steven Shardlow

Understanding Health and Social Care: An Introductory Reader Edited by Margaret Allot and Martin Robb

Understanding care, welfare and community: A Reader Edited by Bill Bytheway et al.

Some resources:
http://www.scie.org.uk/topic/developingskillsservices/socialwork/socialworkers

HTH. 

Thank you for your reply Maple!

I guess I'm feeling like it's limited because it doesn't seem like social workers have a very broad range of types of work.

I did just realize that the post is 3 months with the option to extend after that and after hearing that, I am much more willing to give it a try!

I'm thinking this could be a good stepping stone and a chance to get my feet wet and decide whether that type of social work is one I could do long term.

This link may help in explaining options, structures and job types / sources for social work:

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/social_worker_job_description.htm

I also agree that getting your feet wet can only help in gaining that all important UK experience and it helps to have a job, if you are looking for one!

Congrats, BTW - it's a big first step! 

My husband is finding registered with the HCPC and is qualified to work as a social worker.  He is doing direct care now and looking for a social work job but hasn't had any luck so far.  Prospective employers have told him that he needs UK experience but they don't have any suggestions as to how to get experience.  I guess he can't just volunteer or job shadow.  Any suggestions? Thank you!

My husband is finding registered with the HCPC and is qualified to work as a social worker.  He is doing direct care now and looking for a social work job but hasn't had any luck so far.  Prospective employers have told him that he needs UK experience but they don't have any suggestions as to how to get experience.  I guess he can't just volunteer or job shadow.  Any suggestions? Thank you!

Signing on to agencies to do short term contracts?

Hays http://www.hays.co.uk/job/social-care-jobs/qualified-social-worker/index.htm

and SWISS http://www.swiishealthandsocialcare.co.uk/

Community Care magazine will also direct you to agents:
http://jobs.communitycare.co.uk/

Also volunteering in social care for a few hours per week would give UK experience:
http://www.do-it.org.uk/

Maybe also try to talk to local university / college social care staff to understand where social work placements are made and if they could advise?

Thank you! 

I sent all the links to my husband.  He has registered with more recruiters. 

He already has been at a job in direct care for about 10 months. 

He contacted and spoke with someone at BASW and another recruiter.  They think his CV needs to be clearer that he has done qualified work in the US.  They think they see that he is doing direct care right now and don't look further?  BASW will try to help him mind a mentor in the area who he can shadow.  Will keep you posted.

Hi Everyone,

I just received an offer from a council and I'm very much conflicted in whether to accept or not.

On the plus side, the manager seems like such a wonderful person and from what I understand, her team has a very low turnover rate.  She seems like she provides lots of supervision and she was very clear with me that I would never be making a crucial life changing decision for a child without checks and balances ensuring the decision is correct (or as correct as you can get...).  I also felt like I had a good rapport with her from the start.

Here is my dilemma...

Child Protection/Child Services has never been my passion and in the States I worked as a school social worker.  However, I know social workers are not used in the same way as they are in the states and my options for social work here are limited.

My question is: Given lots of support and supervision, are most of you enjoying what you're doing?

Thanks!

Hi I just received an interview assessment with Devon County Council for an adult social worker.  They told me there would be a 1 hour interview and then a 2.5 hour case study and group discussion.  I am nervous about the interview, can you give me any pointers on what to expect since they offered you a job.  Thanks

Hi I just received an interview assessment with Devon County Council for an adult social worker.  They told me there would be a 1 hour interview and then a 2.5 hour case study and group discussion.  I am nervous about the interview and assessment, can anyone give me any pointers on what to expect, Thanks. 

Understanding UK policy around safeguarding, personalisation, multi-agency working etc are key areas for practice.

This is a good resource to get you going:

http://www.scie.org.uk/adults/safeguarding/index.asp

Is it in a particular area of adult social care? Look under the 'people' tab for more specific information.

Let us know how you get on!

MLG 

one position was safeguarding adults and the other position was physical disabilities and older adults within complex care team.  Thanks for info!

You might want to look at the stuff regarding the Mental Capacity Act:
http://www.scie.org.uk/topic/keyissues/mentalcapacity

And personalisation regarding disabled people:
http://www.scie.org.uk/topic/adultswithphysicalorsensoryimpairments

The University of Leeds Centre for Disability Studies has an archive of papers on various disability topics, which may help:
http://disability-studies.leeds.ac.uk/library/

Hi again I have been working in social services with people with disabilities back in the states for the past 12 years, and for almost the last year I've been working with a guy with Autism and behaviors here and I have learned alot about the mental capacity act as well, so  so hopefully my experience back there and here will help me be successful in this position and interview.  Thank for the links will the check them out.

You might be interested to look at the University of Birmingham's Autism Centre for Education and Research (ACER):
http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/education/acer/index.aspx

Good luck and let us know how it goes - sounds intensive! Two posts, though - more options!