social work

kiwi07

Hi, I have just completed the Return to social work programme with my local Council and started looking for a job as a children's social worker. In my case, I am an overseas qualified social worker. I knew they are crying out for social workers.
To be honest, I am struggle to find any work at all!! :(I am wondering whether they really need social workers? I do not know what to do...

Oldernotwiser

If you Google "social work agencies" you'll find many agencies recruiting for fixed term staff which may be a way into work in this country.

kiwi07

I have contacted an agency called Reed, so they are invited me to register with them. Not really sure about working for an agency. As I knew they want you "to hit the ground running" so you can't expect any sort of induction or supervision...

Oldernotwiser

oki1875 wrote: »

I have contacted an agency called Reed, so they are invited me to register with them. Not really sure about working for an agency. As I knew they want you "to hit the ground running" so you can't expect any sort of induction or supervision...

I think that even with a permanent post you have to "hit the ground running" because of the stresses of the job. You seem to be unprepared for the realities of life as a social worker in the UK, I'm afraid.

kiwi07

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I think that even with a permanent post you have to "hit the ground running" because of the stresses of the job. You seem to be unprepared for the realities of life as a social worker in the UK, I'm afraid.

Everythink comes with an experience, I am afraid. Even UK qualified social workers can faces problems like this.

SarEl

Just did a quick google search for "qualified social worker vacancy" - it turned up loads of sites including one boasting of over 11,000 job vacancies. I can think of three local councils recruiting childrens social workers without any effort - and without having any particular reason to know other than the fact I do (i.e. I am not a social worker/social care worker and no no connection to this area of work). If I can find all that in a matter of seconds - perhaps you are not looking in the right place, or being too fussy about where you want to work or what you want to do. Social work is a very demanding role and there are always expectations that you will have to get on with the job no matter how new you may be to it - there aren't a lot of chances to "ease into it".

kiwi07

SarEl wrote: »

Just did a quick google search for "qualified social worker vacancy" - it turned up loads of sites including one boasting of over 11,000 job vacancies. I can think of three local councils recruiting childrens social workers without any effort - and without having any particular reason to know other than the fact I do (i.e. I am not a social worker/social care worker and no no connection to this area of work). If I can find all that in a matter of seconds - perhaps you are not looking in the right place, or being too fussy about where you want to work or what you want to do. Social work is a very demanding role and there are always expectations that you will have to get on with the job no matter how new you may be to it - there aren't a lot of chances to "ease into it".

Which councils are recruiting now?

Oldernotwiser

oki1875 wrote: »

Which councils are recruiting now?

I don't mean to be rude but that's now two of us who have Googled on your behalf.

SarEl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I don't mean to be rude but that's now two of us who have Googled on your behalf.

I agree - there are only 70+ councils in England and it isn't that hard to do a search on Google to find which have social services responsibilities, then make a phone call. Some people on this forum have applied for hundreds of jobs and managed to find them all on their own. Sorry, not being nasty, but I have to question how motivated you are if you need this much hand-holding, and I would wonder how well you would cope as a social worker if you can't actually figure out how to find the job vacancies!

jimbms

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I don't mean to be rude but that's now two of us who have Googled on your behalf.

Sounds about right for a social worker, do nothing, expect others to do everything then deny all knowledge when it goes wrong.

pisces72

Jobs go public is a good place to start. Many recruitment agencies will expect you to be registered with the social care council (apologies if that is not quite the name of the body) and that you either have or are in the process of obtaining a CRB. Most agencies will assist with this, although you may have to pay the fee.

And if you have completed the course with your local council, that seems like one place to start.