Social Worker
Amanda Mills, Children's Services Practitioner, NSPCC
How did you get into the job?
My long-term career goal was to be a social worker because I wanted to help children and young people who had not had a positive start to their lives. After seeing the job advertised in Community Care, I decided to apply for it as I wanted to work with young people on a one-to-one basis, where I could give them the time to help them.
What's your job history and education?
I have been working in the NSPCC since December 2006. Prior to this, I worked in a local authority social services department for eight years. I initially worked in a family centre, where I undertook assessments of parents to see if they were able to look after their children. I did this job before I was qualified as a social worker, but got the job because I'm also a nursery nurse. Whilst working for the local authority at the family centre, I applied to be seconded to train to be a social worker. I passed my interview and so the local authority paid for me to train.
What are the best bits/worst bits of the job?
Working with the children and young people is definitely the best part of the job. This is the reason I trained, so that I could listen and support young people in need of a 'listening ear,' guidance and advice, and also give them an opportunity to have some fun in a safe place where they can explore their thoughts and feelings. I like the fact that no two days are the same and each young person I work with has such fantastic qualities and resilience.
The worst part of the job is probably the travelling as it can become quite tiring driving across the county and it can also impact upon the amount of children and young people that can be seen.
Do you have any advice for 'wannabes'?
Being a social worker can be very rewarding. However, it can also be stressful, so you have to be quite emotionally strong and determined to undertake the work. I also think gaining experience in child development prior to being a social worker helps you feel more confident in doing the job, as it helps you to understand the needs of children and young people.
In order to have a successful career in social work, you have to learn to leave work at work so that you continue to have a life outside of work. This ensures that when you are at work you maintain feeling refreshed and motivated.
What are the CV essentials for the job?
To have two years post social work qualifying experience in children and families social work;
Experience of working directly with children and young people;
Good working knowledge of child protection policies and procedures;
Be anti-discriminatory and non-judgmental;
Be approachable and a good communicator with children and young people.
Application process
To become a social worker, you will need a degree in social work and to be 21. There are access courses for mature students, trainee schemes and employment based routes to gaining the qualification. Experience in care work, with children and young people, with the homeless and so on is important to showing commitment when applying.
Job description
The job of a social worker can vary dramatically depending on which area of social work you are in. Your role is to support people who are struggling to cope living in society, ranging from a child in care through to an elderly person with a mobility problem or an adult with a learning difficulty. You'll be responsible for several people, known as service users, and you'll be meeting and supporting them in whatever way best helps them.
It often involves working with experts such as the police, care agencies, medical professionals and voluntary organisations. Depending on your role, you may well find yourself working anti-social hours.
"I undertake therapeutic work with children and young people on a one-to-one basis, who have been physically, sexually, emotionally abused or neglected or have witnessed domestic violence," says Amanda. "The work helps the children and young people come to terms with what has happened to them and the impact it has had on their lives.
"Sessions take place once per week usually last for one hour. I travel around the county to meet with the young people in a neutral venue close to where they live. Following on from these sessions, I have to fill out a form on the computer to say that sessions have taken place and give a brief outline of what was spoken about in the sessions. Every 12 weeks a review with the young person is held to check how things are going."
Skills/experience/training
As well as the relevant training, a person in a social work role needs a practical and flexible approach to work, tact and patience, a non-judgemental attitude and the ability to cope with difficult situations and challenging clients.
Amanda adds: "In order to be able to undertake this work, you have to be either a social worker or a counsellor. I am a qualified social worker and have part one of the post qualifying award in social work."
Personality
"You need to be approachable, an effective listener, not easily shocked or offended, non judgemental in approach, have a good sense of humour, be a positive advocate, empathic, confident in using own initiative and be motivated," says Amanda. "You also need to be reflective to assist developing your practise. You have to be confident in challenging behaviour that puts the service user at risk."
What are the career prospects?
Social workers are employed in a huge range of areas, in field work or residential care, working with children and families, young people, old people or people with learning needs or mental health issues. Starting salaries can vary between £19,000 - £24,000.
You might be a child protection social worker within a charity such as the NSPCC, like Amanda, or employed in residential care for people with physical or mental disabilities, working for the local authority. Following your qualification, progression to senior positions such as team leader or care service manager could be possible after gaining around three years of experience.
Pros and cons
Helping people to make positive choices in their lives and promote change;
Can be stressful if you find it difficult to manage your own stress levels;
Varied and challenging career;
Some aspects of social work bring a lot of confrontation from angry service users;
Rewarding when you see positive change take place;
Decision making in social work invariably means that not all your decisions are shared by others (professionals and families);
Plenty of opportunities for career development and changing your role within the sector.
Resources that could make a difference to peoples lives are not always available.
By Andrea Wren
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