Social worker

You could do a degree in social work approved by Social Work England .

You could also do a postgraduate degree in social work, if you have a degree in another subject. A postgraduate degree normally takes 2 years.

You might also be able to get a social work bursary .

Some universities offer a combined master's degree in nursing and social work (MNSW). You can check Social Work England to find information about approved courses.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could apply to do a Social Worker Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This takes around 3 years to complete and is a mix of work placements and academic study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You'll need experience of working with vulnerable groups or children to apply for most courses or jobs.

To get skills and experience, you could:

• apply to be a social work assistant or family support worker
• work in the community through a charity
• find volunteering opportunities through the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT

Graduate training scheme

You could do an intensive, work-based training programme to gain a master's degree or postgraduate diploma in social work. To apply you'll need at least a 2:

• 2 (second class) degree.

Current programmes to support children and families include:

• Approach Social Work
• Step Up to Social Work

Registrations

you'll need to register with Social Work England

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) for professional development opportunities and to build up your network of contacts in the profession.

Further Information

Get more detailed advice on the ways to qualify as a social worker . This can be useful to compare which route might be best for you.

You can also find out more about working in social work from:

• British Association of Social Workers (BASW)
• Think Care Careers

As a social worker, your duties will depend on the age groups you work with. For example, you might:

• meet individuals and families to review their needs and make support plans
• give emotional and practical support to clients
• build trust and confidence with young people to support their wellbeing
• help clients develop and maintain independent living skills
• keep clients safe and take action to protect them when necessary
• work closely with communities, health professionals and other agencies
• keep accurate records, write reports and review cases with your supervisors

You could work in an office, in the community, at an adult care home, at a children's care home or in an NHS or private hospital.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.