Social Worker MA course...

rainbowdust33

Thanks again everyone.

The university I contacted said I meet the qualifications for the MA, and I'm confident the job I'm in now will meet the experience criteria too.

Its just a shame that I'm on a temporary contract at the minute (thats probably finishing in the next two months), or I would have asked if I could train through work, as we have social workers in our team. Once I know I'm 100% about doing it (I think I am - but again its just the financial part thats worrying me!) I think I'm going to have a word with one of the social workers whos very high up at work (would have done this already by now, but we have been working different shifts for the past few weeks so I haven't seen her for a while).

Has anyone else done this training through work?? Either MA or BA? Just wondering how this works too? Do you still get paid whilst you are training?? I'm just thinking, as I have another year now before I could start the course in 2011, I have a year to go, so is this a better way to do the course??

Thanks again

Triangle

Hi Rainbowdust

I was 25 when I started my MA in SW..and I'd done a degree in sociology too

I entered through a Graduate Trainee Scheme - the LA put me in a unqualified post for a year and then give me a small retainer to encourage me to apply for jobs in that department when I qualify.

These schemes are great and quite a few people from my course are on various ones from different LA's - both for children's and adults services. They tend to be advertised March/April time - have a look at the children's workforce development council website for details of children's schemes.

Finanically it's been and continues to be a struggle - I receive the retainer and the bursary (of which one part is means tested). Be aware that some schemes mean you are not eligible for the bursary - google NHS SW bursary for more details. The bursary also pays the tution fees. You are not able to apply for a student loan on the MA course.

My DH's wages go towards the mortgage and essential household bills - although a chuck of my bursary does too. I do relief work with an old employer too (managed to pick up quite a few shifts this summer ) though if you do work part time you need to bear in mind that the course can be pretty heavy going - being on placement means full time working hours alongside coursework, essays etc.

I hope this has been some help - my second year starts in a couple of weeks and I can't wait!

T
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rainbowdust33

Thanks for commenting Triangle! Glad you are enjoying the course!

I am 25 now, so will be 26 when I hopefully start.

How did you find out about the graduate training scheme?? This is something I will have to look into, in my local area. Any idea where to start?

I was actually looking at the children's workforce development council website earlier today, but didnt see anything about it, plus there were no vacancies in the 'work for us' section either. Do you think I should contact them just incase??

Seems though the earliest I will be able to start the MA is 2011 now, I need to think about what to do in the year I've got before that starts. If my current job was permanent it would be ideal, I might even have had a chance to do the training through them, but I think it will be finished in the next couple of months, they are redeploying current workers into our temporary positions grrr!

Thanks again

Triangle

The scheme I got onto was advertised in the regional paper and also in the Guardian Society Section (this was March/April time)

I've googled a few examples of such schemes - links below:

http://www.uea.ac.uk/swp/swgts

http://www.barnetpossibilities.co.uk/site/opportunities.cfm?category=7

I would recommend you contact the LA SS department where you live and other LAs nearby. Also contact nearby universities that do the MA and ask if the run any schemes in conjunction with LA's. Be aware that the schemes vary - my interview was for both the course and the job but some are just for the job -they expect you to already have secured a place on the course.

Looking at the CWFD website, it appears they have now finished recruitment

That's unfortunate about your job - is it in Children's or Adults? Ask about or search for any other vacancies in the departments - for example a job as a community care assistant (a mainly admin role where I worked) could be a great stepping stone to getting onto such schemes.

If such a scheme isn't a possibility and you're thinking of 2011 entry as an 'independent' (if you see what I mean) then you have plenty of time If it was me, I would use the time to plan how to manage financially, prepare for the uni application, but also to get some valuable work experience which would help you get onto the course. You could start as a community support worker for people with learning difficulties when your current contract ends for example, or maybe a project worker for a homeless hostel - the area is vast!

Good luck with it all

T
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rainbowdust33

Hello again Triangle,

My current job is with adults, but I haven't decided which I'd rather go into yet if I did the course. But a friend told me that there is a lack of child social workers at the minute, so that would be a good choice.

I'm applying for jobs at the minute as mine is going to be coming to an end soon, but I don't want to scare people off by asking if its possible to do the course through them!

I think its most likely I'll have to do the course as an 'independent', it sounds quite hard to get into through a job, especially if you havent worked there for long.

Gemmzie

I don't think the graduate scheme is going to run in the future as I looked into it before, the website says:
There will not be a further intake to the Graduate Recruitment Scheme. The second and final cohort of 200+ candidates will continue to be supported and will complete their studies in 2011.

tiny_courageous

rainbowdust33 wrote: »

Hello again Triangle,

My current job is with adults, but I haven't decided which I'd rather go into yet if I did the course. But a friend told me that there is a lack of child social workers at the minute, so that would be a good choice.

I'm applying for jobs at the minute as mine is going to be coming to an end soon, but I don't want to scare people off by asking if its possible to do the course through them!

I think its most likely I'll have to do the course as an 'independent', it sounds quite hard to get into through a job, especially if you havent worked there for long.

There is always a shortage of social workers in child protection, but please don't go into that side of social work just because there are more vacancies. It's thankless and hard work (but amazingly rewarding at times) and definitely something I'd say get some experience and do a lot of reading before you decide for sure which area of social work you want to go into.

rainbowdust33

No, I haven't decided which field I'd go into yet. Need to get on the course first before thinking about that!

Its hard, as I'm currently applying for jobs, but don't want to scare people off by mentioning that I want to do the training for it.

granny-mo

Hi Rainbowdust33,

I have just finished my first year of SW MA and will be starting my final year at the end of this month. I am a single female who has a dog, runs a car, and has a mortgage and I'm surviving.

You should receive around £6000 from grants and bursaries and your tuition fees should be paid through the NHS. I have found that this money covers my mortgage payments and some bills.

On my course (and alot of others I have heard) you are in full-time - even if the uni tells you you're only in 3-4 days a week do not believe them! When the timetable comes in you'll find yourself magically in full-time. :eek:

For living costs I work part-time. This I have to do on a weekend, normally between 7 - 14 hours a weekend. I work for a social care recruitment agency. The flexibility of this is good because if there's a large deadline approaching I can decline work if necessary.

You will have to be VERY careful with your money - no more treats (well maybe the odd night out) and you need to look out for bargains (this site's great). If you are looking to start next year my advice is for you to do extra work this year and then you can go easier on yourself when you start uni. Do that extra push and find a part-time job ontop of your full-time role so you can start saving. Open up a uni saving account and put every spare penny in that you can. Cut down on treats now and then (A) you won't feel severely deprived on starting uni (B) you can probably then afford a couple of extra treats when you do start.

Finally you need to learn the mantra 'it's only 20 months' - I started last September and will finish in May.

Good luck in your choice and application :beer: