SOCIAL WORKlife changing work
This document is also available in pdf format (956k)
It's a profession where every action works towards making a positive difference. It's a dynamic sector where no two days are ever the same. It's often challenging, and can be difficult, but it's rewarding and vital work.
In practical terms there are excellent prospects, a recognised promotion structure, flexible working hours and wide career opportunities gained through the sheer variety of work.
At some point social work touches the lives of most families. Scotland's social workers help children in need of care, support people whose lives are affected by illness, disability or age, work with offenders to change their behaviour, the list goes on.
A social worker will often work closely with other professionals. You'll work with agencies, organisations and people as diverse as the police, health and education professionals and a wide range of charities. You'll need to keep up to date with current legislation and changes in practice.
This requires training, dedication and professionalism.
You'll need to be confident, driven and patient, with the ability to work in a team, and within a given budget.
Above all, as a social worker, you'll need faith in people, a sense of humour and the drive necessary to ensure that things change for the better.
It's a fact that social workers take on the kind of jobs that many people would rather not even think about.
So why do they do it?
Social work is a profession that changes lives.
Areas within Social Work
Working with offenders
This involves addressing offending behaviour and achieving change. It can include the supervising of offenders in the community, assisting their search for employment and tackling problems to prevent re-offending.
Social workers also provide direct services to courts, preparing assessments and background reports to assist judges to make decisions.
"Social work is my opportunity to do something worthwhile, to say "I've paid something back, I've made a contribution to society". A lot of what I've done has been for the good of the whole community and for Scotland. It's hard work but rewarding.
I've been in Criminal Justice social work for 13 years. It's an area where I can make a difference to a whole range of people's lives. I manage a team of 6 people. I enjoy developing their skills, so they can better help their individual clients.
As far as career development goes, there are a whole range of other fields and specialisms you can enter. There's a post-qualifying training framework too.
There are opportunities to do all kinds of different things and in different ways within social work now."
Tim WardSenior Social Worker, Criminal Justice
"Social Work appealed to me because of my enjoyment of working with people, the variety of work involved and career opportunities in the profession.
Since qualifying 3 years ago, I've worked in a childcare team. I work with children and their families to promote welfare and protection.
My job involves assessing and reviewing family circumstances and risks, and working in partnership with children, families and other agencies involved such as health and education to support a family and promote positive change.
This is an ongoing process which can present many challenges but also satisfaction when a child and family prosper."
Sharon Coats
Social Worker, Children & Families
"Working for Barnardo's enables me to utilise social work and other professional experience in a way which impacts positively on children and families.
The post is challenging and rewarding and you should be prepared to undertake a wide range of tasks.
Barnardo's work is driven by a desire to provide quality, effective services and this influences all of our work."
Fiona Bennett
Children's Services Manager,
Barnardo's Scotland
"I've worked with the Youth Counselling Services Agency as Project Co-ordinator since April 2000. It's the only agency in Scotland that provides counselling and advice specifically for young people from black and ethnic minority (BME) backgrounds. Our aim is to improve the quality of life of such young people through better access to mainstream services.
Because we have experienced staff from the major ethnic minority communities, we are able to deliver the service with cultural sensitivity.
A culturally sensitive environment is important for young people, especially females, from BME backgrounds. The agency aims to empower youth from target areas, where it is recognised that they suffer from multiple deprivation and poverty due to racism, discrimination and stereotypical views.
My job is very necessary and very rewarding but I look forward to a day in the future when there is much less need to provide this kind of support. "
Fiaz Khan Project Co-ordinator, Youth Counselling Services
Working with children, young people and families
About half of all social workers in Scotland work with children in one way or another. There are a huge number of different ways children of all ages, and their families are helped.
You could be working with a local government social work department, or a children's charity. The scope is wide, but wherever your work takes you, you will need knowledge of the statutory duties of child protection and of child care law.
Working with adults
A variety of jobs involve working with adults. As with all social work, the goal is to help a person take control of their own life.
A social worker may organise a wide range of services with people (care management) or provide support, perhaps therapeutic help, directly.
Working with older people
Working with older people can mean tackling social isolation and addressing issues such as health, housing or benefits. At the core is the desire to help maximise the potential of people who may feel marginalised, or on the fringes of society.
It will also mean working alongside health and other professionals in the community.
Working as an Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists working in Social Work Services help people to find practical ways to overcome the difficulties they experience in their daily lives. It involves working with people of all ages to find ways to carry out ordinary activities of daily life that have become difficult or impossible due to disability, ill health, traumatic injury, the effects of getting older or a change in circumstances.
"Most of my student experience was in a mental health setting, so after graduating I broadened my experience with a position in a physical setting.
I accepted a post at an elderly rehabilitation unit, where I attained the firm grounding I wanted. I then moved to a more challenging area where all my experience and training would be useful.
Social work occupational therapy fitted the bill. I relish the daily challenges and the diverse range of clients.
No two days are the same and the learning opportunities are frequent. I enjoy making a difference to someone's quality of life, and even making it possible for someone to remain in his or her home, or to return home following a hospital stay."
Nicola Fleming
Community Occupational Therapist
"It's all about helping people to lead typical lifestyles in their own homes, to include those individuals in society who have been excluded, often for many years and forced to make unfair compromises because of their frailty or disability."
An example of John's caseload:
"Until 3 years ago Mr K had lived in a long stay hospital out in the Scottish countryside. After planning with him and designing and negotiating a support service, Mr K has returned to live in his own tenancy in the town where he grew up.
Now he's out and about in the main street every day, and is a regular at the local social club. As Mr K says, "I am now leading the life I always wanted to, but never had the chance for so long".
This is what makes the job so fulfilling, to know that I have helped makea difference."
John Meyer
Care Manager, Community Care
Routes into social work
As a social worker today, you must be able to think critically and be responsive to and lead change. You must work with other professionals, often in multi-agency settings. To equip you for this, we are introducing a new honours degree qualification in Social Work. This will come into effect in 2004 and will replace the existing Diploma in Social Work.
We will publish the Framework for Social Work Education in Scotland in January 2003. This will tell you what social work students must do to be competent, and confident, on qualification. You'll see that your previous experience can count towards gaining the new qualification. That's because we are keen to attract people of all ages, and from all backgrounds into social work, including those who want to change their career and become social workers. If you already have a degree you will have the option of attaining a new first degree in social work or a postgraduate qualification - your own circumstances will help you decide what's best for you.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Wherever you are in your career, it's important for you, and for the people who use social services, that you can continue to develop your learning and develop new skills and knowledge. The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) is working with UK colleagues to review and revise the CPD and post-qualifying frameworks and as part of the registration process, the SSSC will require registrants to demonstrate evidence of CPD. For more information call the SSSC on 0845 60 30 891.
Getting into Occupational Therapy
The British Association and College of Occupational Therapists represent the profession in the UK. Their website www.cot.co.uk gives you more detailed information on the profession, the qualifications you need to become a recognised OT practitioner and courses available to potential students in Scotland.
Voluntary Work
If you're thinking about a career in Social Work or Occupational Therapy, it might be worth your while to do some voluntary work to test this out. Working as a volunteer or unqualified worker can:
- lead to subsequent paid employment
- inform decisions about your future career
- provide experience for entry to a professional course
You can find out more from the Care in Scotland website www.careinscotland.co.uk
"I had lived abroad for several years and came back to Scotland wanting to work in some way with children. Befriending brought me into contact with children and young people with difficulties. This led to a return to university as a mature student.
After graduating I spent two years in an area child care team but knew that I wanted to be part of a Child & Adolescent Mental Health Team. I've now been in the team for five years and I still find it exciting.
In this setting much of my work is reflective. Working alongside others in a multi-disciplinary team is always stimulating."
Lindy Campbell
Social Worker, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team
The care and attention provided by Scotland's social workers makes a vital difference to Scotland and Scottish society.
It's a worthwhile career for dedicated professionals who want to help those in need to realise their full potential.
For careers advice in Social Work, please contact the Scottish Social Services Council on0845 60 30 891
Visit our website to discover more about careers in carewww.careinscotland.co.uk
Compass House, Discovery Quay
11 Riverside Drive, Dundee DD1 4NY
Tel: 0845 60 30 891
Email:enquiries@sssc.uk.com
Web:www.sssc.uk.com