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Social Worker

As a Social Worker, you will support people who may be facing challenges in their lives, helping them stay safe, improve their wellbeing and access the support they need. You'll work with children, adults and families, building trusting relationships, assessing needs and helping people make positive changes. You could be working in a hospital or be based in a local council team. 

Role Characteristics

  • Conduct assessments with people and families to assess and review their situation
  • Organise and manage packages of support to enable people to lead the fullest lives possible
  • Visit people you support wherever they a, which could be at home or in, for example, a care home, hospital, hostel or prison
  • Advocate for people and families, often in complex situations
  • Maintain accurate records and prepare reports for legal action
  • Give evidence in court

Skills

  • Advice giving
  • Decision-making
  • Empathy
  • Taking initiative
  • Working with groups
  • Working under pressure

Day in the life

Watch this video to learn about Ania's role as a Social Worker.

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

  • GCSEs
  • An apprenticeship
  • Undergraduate degree
  • Postgraduate degree
  • Degree apprenticeship
  • BTEC, T-Level or A-Levels

How to become

To become a Social Worker, you will need a degree in Social Work. There are many ways to access university level education and you can explore lots of current opportunities in the section below.

You might:

  • Study A Levels, BTECs, or T Levels – useful subjects might include Health and Social Care, Psychology, Sociology, English, Criminology or Applied Science. Explore some current opportunities below.
  • Complete an Access to Higher Education course – a college course designed for adults who want to access higher education but don’t have the traditional requirements like A Levels.
  • Complete a Foundation course – a year-long university course designed to prepare you for studying Social Work or a related social science subject if you do not have the required qualifications or grades to go straight into a degree.

You will then be ready to study at a university level. This can include:

  • Studying an undergraduate degree in Social Work.
  • Complete a Degree Apprenticeship – gain experience in the workplace while also studying a qualification in Social Work, where available.

Alongside education, you may also want to build some relevant work or voluntary experience in social care, healthcare, education, housing services, community organisations, youth work or support services and think about developing your communication, empathy, resilience, problem-solving and relationship-building skills.

To work in this role, you must be registered with Social Work England.

Where can this role lead

From your role as a Social Worker, you could continue supporting vulnerable children, adults and families by specialising in areas such as Mental Health or Adult Social Care.

You could also specialise in helping people improve their wellbeing and independence as a Counsellor or Psychotherapist.

Your communication, advocacy and relationship-building skills as a Social Worker would also translate well to sideways moves such as a Community Development Support Officer or Health Trainer.

Progression might look like taking on senior practitioner responsibilities, managing social care teams, leading safeguarding services, or progressing into a Service Manager role within health, care and community services.

Location

  • Community Settings
  • Peoples Homes
  • Prisons
  • Schools, colleges and universities
  • At Home
  • Care Homes
  • Hospitals

Working hours

  • Full Time
  • Part Time
  • Weekdays
  • Casual Hours
  • Overtime
  • Flexible Hours

Opportunities

Two people smiling whilst working Woman in facemask working
BTECs, T-levels or A-levels
Leeds City College Health and Social Care courses
Find BTEC, T-Level or A-Level courses in Health and Care at Leeds City College
Organisation
Leeds City College
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Access to university
Access to Higher Education (Social Work)
If you are interested in becoming a social worker, primary teacher, counsellor, psychologist or other professional with a degree qualification, this could be the course for you. It is a one year course designed for adults who may not have had the opportunity to do A Levels or study for a degree qualification.
Organisation
Heart of Yorkshire Education Group
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Volunteering
Volunteering in Health and Care
Find out more about volunteering opportunities in Health and Care
Organisation
Volunteering Opportunities
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Support
We Care Academy
The We Care Academy is a successful recruitment and retention programme delivered by Leeds City Council’s Adults and Health directorate. The We Care Academy has been running the Step into Care programme since 2013 and aims to support individuals with the right values, attitudes and behaviours to make the first step into their social care career. This is a free initiative available to all Adult Social Care Providers in Leeds.
Organisation
Leeds City Council
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Undergraduate Degree
BA Social Work
This course is ideal for those who want to make a difference to society, help people find solutions to their problems and live more successfully.
Organisation
University of Leeds
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Access to university
BA Social Work (Degree Apprenticeship)
Based on our highly successful BA (Hons) Social Work degree, our social work degree apprenticeship offers flexible pathways to qualifying as a social worker.   
Organisation
Leeds Beckett University
View opportunity
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