what is a social worker?
Working as a social worker is a demanding profession that involves working with families and institutions to advance social impacts. As a social worker, you promote social change, development and empower communities. Sometimes you advocate for civil rights, raise awareness on mental health and child abuse. Aside from the communal needs of people, a social worker enhances the overall wellbeing of individuals and helps them meet basic and complex needs. While you will work with diverse people, your focus is on the vulnerable, oppressed and poverty-stricken. Social workers often work with orphans, patients with long-term ailments, seniors, mentally ill people and persons with disabilities. They also address social injustices that hinder a person's wellbeing like discrimination, physical or emotional abuse and substance abuse.
what does a social worker do?
Your job as a social worker involves participating in legislative processes that aid in policy formation. When protecting human rights, you may have to use legal powers and proceedings to balance the rights of the parties involved. That is why foster care institutions often have social workers to assist with the fostering process and provision of ongoing support to children in the system. When working with older people, your job is to ensure they receive the welfare support they need.
Would working as a social worker suit your advocacy skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a social worker role.
average salary of a social worker
According to National Careers, the average salary of a social worker in the UK is £24,000 per year when you are new to the profession. With experience and additional skills, you can earn up to £40,000 per year. The salary difference depends on the scope of the role and the complexity of responsibilities. When you have years of work experience, you take on complex duties, and your salary reflects the changes. Aside from basic wages, social workers also earn various benefits in the compensation package. For instance, some institutions provide transport allowance, medical insurance and pension benefits to workers.
what factors affect the salary of a social worker?
Your salary as a social worker depends on the company or institution you work for and its size. For instance, large companies pay more than small institutions. Some non-governmental organisations depend on funds from donors for running programmes, which also affect your pay structure. Aside from size, your compensation package also depends on whether the company is public or private. Social workers employed in the private sector are likely to earn more than social workers working for government institutions. Working in big cities with a high cost of living also increases your salary prospects compared to working in small towns with a low cost of living.
types of social workers
Social workers often specialise in a specific area of need. Some of the common types include:
- school social workers: you work with parents and teachers to deal with bullying, aggressive behaviour and frequent absences from school. You also develop strategies for improving social development and academic performance in schools.
- child and family social worker: as a social worker, you offer assistance to families in need and protect vulnerable children. For instance, you will help families find housing and apply for welfare programmes. You also intervene in family conflicts, cases of abuse and child neglect.
- healthcare social worker: you assist patients in transitioning from hospitals to their homes. Sometimes you help them understand the diagnosis and advise on the lifestyle changes. Apart from providing information, you create support groups and go for home visits.
- mental health and substance social worker: social workers work with people with mental illness to provide information on services and help the family adjust to the diagnosis. You also form support groups for clients with addictions and help them recover.
working as a social worker
If you love championing people's rights and helping them improve their wellbeing, working as a social worker will be fulfilling. Read on for insight into your daily duties and responsibilities.
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social worker job description
While specific roles depend on the institution you work for and pre-determined work processes, some typical tasks include:
- identifying families and people in need of help: as a social worker, you identify people in the community that need help. For instance, you need to identify homeless and senior people in your area. Whenever there is a domestic incident, you should find the victims of violence and vulnerable children in your area.
- conducting an initial assessment of clients: social workers evaluate clients' problems and determine effective ways to improve their welfare. Your job is to compile information on your clients' situation within the community and their issues. You also need to learn their family and medical history to identify the support required.
- researching and seeking assistance for clients: after the initial assessment, you can identify your clients' needs. The next step is to research the public assistance and welfare programmes available. For instance, you should find government treatment facilities to take care of their healthcare needs if they need treatment. You also have to find them housing or identify foster homes for children.
- maintaining ongoing contact with clients: after securing the assistance your client needs, you should maintain contact to ensure improvement of wellbeing. You can also recommend support groups in the community to help them with recovery.
- responding to crises: when one of your clients has a problem, you need to intervene and provide assistance. In a mental health emergency, sexual assault or child abuse, you have to make sure your clients' rights are protected.
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work environment
As a social worker, you work in various institutions depending on your area of specialisation. You can be employed by the local government, healthcare providers, family services or schools. Most social workers duties are office-based and involve going through files and documents for various clients, but you also visit clients in their homes and attend support group meetings in communities. Some school social workers oversee multiple schools and travel around the school district to visit students or attend programmes.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer, your colleagues might include family support workers, supervising social workers, child protection officers, mental health nurses and community psychiatric nurse roles. You might also be working in close proximity to the deputy care manager and counsellor, care assistant positions, as well as other specialists that could include mediators, paralegals and educational consultants.
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work schedule
Social workers work part-time or full-time positions, depending on the scope of the role. Full-time social workers typically work 37 to 40 hours per week. While most responsibilities can be completed within the 9 am to 5 pm office hours, you are always on call if a client needs your services. You also have to work weekends, evenings or bank holidays to deal with client emergencies. Part-time opportunities are often available in non-governmental organisations that need social workers on a case basis. Some social workers work remotely, especially those who provide counselling services. You can use video conferencing to conduct support group sessions and organise support remotely.
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job outlook
The career path for social workers is clearly defined. You join the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (AYSE) programme from the first year of work, which provides training and development plans and regular supervision. Once you pass the AYSE and receive your certification to practice social work, you can move to a supervisory role. Some social workers also specialise in specific areas such as mental health, which opens doors for opportunities in the healthcare field. When you are a mental health social worker, you can become a mental health practitioner or counsellor with additional training.
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advantages of finding a social worker job through randstad
Finding your social worker job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a social worker is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Here are different routes to becoming a social worker:
- university degree: you can join the social work field by completing an undergraduate degree in social work or related courses. The bachelor's programme must be approved by Social Work England. You need 2 to 3 A-Levels to secure an undergraduate degree, and you may be eligible for a social work bursary. Postgraduate qualifications are also available in social work if you want to improve your skills or get a promotion.
- apprenticeship: social worker degree apprenticeships take three years and include on-the-job training and coursework. To meet the entry requirements, you need 4 to 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A-Levels.
skills and competencies
Social workers need various skills to keep up with the demanding profession. Some of the vital skills include:
- empathy: as a social worker, you should have the ability to understand your clients' experiences and step into their shoes. That way, you can accurately determine their needs and provide the best support.
- communication: good communication skills are vital for social workers since they need to communicate with various people. You should know verbal and non-verbal cues to understand your clients better. When advocating for your client's rights, it is crucial to communicate concisely with care providers and colleagues.
- critical thinking: as a social worker, you need to evaluate each case from the information gathered and interviews with clients. The skill also helps you determine the best resources to assist your clients.
- patience: social workers need the patience to handle complex cases or assist clients who need longer periods to make progress. Patience also helps you avoid making mistakes that lead to poor outcomes.
FAQs
FAQs about working as a social worker
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what does a social worker do?
A social worker assists various people in the community deal with problems or coping with life-changing conditions. You also help clients get basic needs and receive relevant authorities' support.
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what is the salary of a social worker?
The salary of a social worker in the UK ranges from £24,000 to £40,000. Most companies also pay overtime wages and provide medical insurance.
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do social workers get paid well?
Yes. Social workers earn an attractive salary based on their experience level. Private entities pay more compared to public organisations.
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is social work a good career?
Social work is a fulfilling career if you love helping people. You also advocate for the less fortunate in society and ensure they benefit from welfare programmes.
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what skills does a social worker need?
As a social worker, you need good communication skills and empathy to provide the best services to your clients. You also need patience when handling challenging cases.
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how do I apply for a social worker vacancy?
Applying for a social worker job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
