Becoming a Social Worker

lilysgarden

I qualified as a SW 2 years ago now and took the decision to go straight into child protection as I was always told it was better to get some experience in this field asap to set you up for any other jobs! I was extremely fortunate and ended up on a team where everybody is very passionate about what they do and we have amazing managers who are supportive and protective of the team.

I won't pretend the job isn't tough...the nature of the job and the absolutely ridiculous laws we have to work within mean it is often disheartening and frustrating. And our wonderful current Government means that the job will get tougher. Yes the coalition Government claim to have protected the budgets for frontline child protection in the spending cuts, but unfortunately they've cut budgets for ALL of the services we rely on to help us protect children and help families.

I've been spat at, threatened, had my car vandalised and spent many days in the bosses office crying my eyes out over cases I'm working on. Do I regret it? Not a single bit! Like many, I've had moments where I felt like quitting, but then a kid gives me a simple hug or a picture they drew, and it feels worth it again. If you're stupid enough to think you're going into this job to help hundreds of people and do everything right, you're going into the wrong job. If you go into it thinking that the smallest difference made to one person's life if worth all the stress, hassle and abuse, then you're in it for the right reasons. Don't expect people to like you. As long as people keep buying the Sun newspaper, SW's will never be popular. But the only way to change perceptions, it to prove idiots wrong....

TJH, try having a look at www.socialworkcareers.co.uk. The site might give you a bit more info on financial support etc... Back when I decided to train 6 years ago, they also had a phone number to call and they gave you advice on what courses to do according to your existing qualifications. I haven't gone through the site for a while, but they may still have the number working! Anyway, all the best and I hope you find the career that suits you!

Nikki

Odette

Thanks for the resurrection of this thread! I'm also interested in retraining to do social work, I'm 25 and I already have a degree and grew up with my parents as foster carers. OP have you decided what to do yet?