social work degree- general info pls!

squirrelchops

Hi sjaypink,

Regrarding the work placement as salylizzie has said they do try to accommodate your other needs, however without wishing to scaremonger in our placement handbbook they do say you could be asked to travel up to 60 miles for your placement. Highly unlikey I think though as most of us reasonably near.....I am 12 miles from home.

Also, those with children tend to put down a placement near to home as a priority so those without children who don't mind where they are can be further afield. The benefit though of being able to travel further for work is that you can get a better placement sometimes as you are not so restricted if that makes sense.

At my Uni we don't have any classes we can switch...all standard. The lecturers response to that is that 'in the real world of social work if you have kids you have to fit in work and home and the same here'. May not sound overly sympathetic I agree but they are trying to drum into us all about being professional, on time etc. Having said that they are good if soemone really has emergency childcare issues....I think they just get a bit naffed off when people knew what the hours would be before they started then they try and use it as an excuse.

As regards getting a job when qualified i feel confident it will be fine. Actually where I am they will be interviewing at the end of 2009, when I am in the 3rd year for local authority jobs when we qualify already!!!!

I don't particularly want to end up working for LA but may do at the beginnng to gain experience. There are so many diferent jobs you have open to you by having the degree so that keeps me motivated!

surfsister

My mate just had her interviews for social work degree and applying for finace so it's not too late. Do ucas form online you have to pay a small amount eg fiver. The do all the finace forms online too. She has been asked to get BB and a C in her A levels but mature students are also welcomed especially at places such as Hertfordshire Uni (just one I know a mature student went to). Contact unis or look on their website as most give an idea of entry requirements or email the admissions officers find their email on the same website. They are paid to give out such info. Good luck.
Some also ask for experience of some sort of caring role eg going into old folks homes/volunteering etc.

[Deleted User]

squirrelchops wrote: »

Hi sjaypink,

Regrarding the work placement as salylizzie has said they do try to accommodate your other needs, however without wishing to scaremonger in our placement handbbook they do say you could be asked to travel up to 60 miles for your placement. Highly unlikey I think though as most of us reasonably near.....I am 12 miles from home.

Also, those with children tend to put down a placement near to home as a priority so those without children who don't mind where they are can be further afield. The benefit though of being able to travel further for work is that you can get a better placement sometimes as you are not so restricted if that makes sense.

At my Uni we don't have any classes we can switch...all standard. The lecturers response to that is that 'in the real world of social work if you have kids you have to fit in work and home and the same here'. May not sound overly sympathetic I agree but they are trying to drum into us all about being professional, on time etc. Having said that they are good if soemone really has emergency childcare issues....I think they just get a bit naffed off when people knew what the hours would be before they started then they try and use it as an excuse.

As regards getting a job when qualified i feel confident it will be fine. Actually where I am they will be interviewing at the end of 2009, when I am in the 3rd year for local authority jobs when we qualify already!!!!

I don't particularly want to end up working for LA but may do at the beginnng to gain experience. There are so many diferent jobs you have open to you by having the degree so that keeps me motivated!

Hey,
You are right in terms of "the real world". I didn't mean to give the impression they let us change willy nilly, what I meant is they are willing to help you, for example if you have no childcare on Wed for eg, and your seminar is 3/5 if the other seminar run is better time wise and they have space to let you switch they will. I'm lucky I've never had a problem. But as you seem to say, and I've heard said by lecturers, "you signed up for a full time course".

In regards to placement,people with children or caring responsibilities do try and get placements that are more local, but placements can be far and wide, especially if you drive.

SL x

sjaypink

hi again . :A i do have experience, working in addictions, mental health, youth work etc- so i was hoping that might swing it, but it seems that an advanced diploma (lvl 4) is not officially worth anything in terms of entry points? so i might be a bit screwed.... also says its top 10 in the country so guess theyll get loads of applicants....

hmm, i will try anyway- but if not ill have to look at other ways. not doing blimmin a levels again thats for sure (stuck out the 1st year, years ago, but couldnt bear going back for the second ). take it an 'access to HE' course will be ok? .....just looks so bloody boring.....!

one more thing, saw this:

Students will normally be eligible for a bursary of approximately £2,500 per annum. Fees are normally paid and a travel allowance is available.

you get your fees paid + 2.5k + travel ???

Oldernotwiser

sjaypink wrote: »

hi again . :A i do have experience, working in addictions, mental health, youth work etc- so i was hoping that might swing it, but it seems that an advanced diploma (lvl 4) is not officially worth anything in terms of entry points? so i might be a bit screwed.... also says its top 10 in the country so guess theyll get loads of applicants....

Entry qualifications for mature students can be quite flexible, except in terms of the GCSE requirements. A phrase often used is "recent, relevant study" - they're basically going to be looking to see if you can cope with the academic level of the course.

I'd ring up the admissions tutor for a chat as to how they'd view your current qualifications and what they'd look for if you need anything else. If they do, an Access course would be ideal but you could also ask how they'd view the OU Introduction to Social Science unit as acceptable for entry.

sjaypink

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Entry qualifications for mature students can be quite flexible, except in terms of the GCSE requirements. A phrase often used is "recent, relevant study" - they're basically going to be looking to see if you can cope with the academic level of the course.

I'd ring up the admissions tutor for a chat as to how they'd view your current qualifications and what they'd look for if you need anything else. If they do, an Access course would be ideal but you could also ask how they'd view the OU Introduction to Social Science unit as acceptable for entry.

cheers ONW. the ou sounds much more suitable for me. i have emailed the enquiry office to arrange a ring back to discuss a few things- but im getting impatient!

any ideas when dealines are roughly?

also, i do have gcses (inc maths and english) grades a-c.... but i dont have the certificates- do they actually check up on this?

Oldernotwiser

sjaypink wrote: »

also, i do have gcses (inc maths and english) grades a-c.... but i dont have the certificates- do they actually check up on this?

I'm not sure, but as they're a statutory requirement they well might. How long ago did you take them and can you remember which exam board?

sjaypink

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I'm not sure, but as they're a statutory requirement they well might. How long ago did you take them and can you remember which exam board?

no idea which boards? at school, 10 years ago.....

Oldernotwiser

sjaypink wrote: »

no idea which boards? at school, 10 years ago.....

Can you ring your old school and find out what examination boards you sat your exams with and then you can start making some enquiries about them if you need to. They'll charge you a bit and it'll take a little while but it's not difficult to get duplicate certificates for so recent a period, you just don't want to have to do it in a hurry if you're suddenly offered a place.

[Deleted User]

I'll second what ONW says, they will want to see certs, and they do charge to get copied of certs, best to sort it now as you won't be able to enroll until they can verify what you say you have

SL x