Introduction
People can be mystifying, aggravating, fascinating, and
rewarding. They can provide a challenge to those who work
with them. The older person may appear threatening, noisy,
and confused. But to social workers he may be depressed,
frightened and lonely and it is their job to help him and the local
community understand the presenting concerns. Social Workers
organise care and support the more vulnerable members of society,
assess their needs and provide services to meet those needs.
It is a sensitive job and there is the opportunity to specialize in
other areas of social work such as children's services.
Work Environment
The work is based in the offices of the social services department
but also takes place in other settings such as community hospitals,
residential and day care centres or private homes - where people
with complex problems exist in circumstances in which their liberty
or safety is at risk. Tasks undertaken outside the office
often involve a degree of isolation with physical and emotional
risks.
Daily Activities
Regular daily requirements include visiting older people, people
with mental health problems or learning difficulties wherever they
are - at home or in a care centre or hospital. Sometimes
visits may be made to the homes of the carers. There are
meetings to attend, substantial reports to write, liaison with
other professionals and constant planning and reviewing of
procedures and progress. There may also be a need to attend
court hearings on behalf of a client. Social workers may also
take part in special projects such as organising case conferences
and contributing to service developments. There is
considerable scope for using individual initiative but in many
cases - for example in hospital work where there is a need for a
multi-disciplinary approach - team work is essential.
Deadlines are imposed by statutory legal requirements and by the
needs of colleagues - for instance over health issues such as
problems arising from the shortage of hospital beds. Each day
will involve liaising with social services colleagues, other
council departments, voluntary and private sector services such as
housing and health, carers, GPs, the police, the courts and the
general public.
Skills & Interests
The social worker needs to care about people and in this case the
elderly, and so must have:
- the ability to communicate with people from all walks of
life;
- respect for the rights of elderly people;
- an ability to identify and challenge discrimination;
- good interviewing, listening and observation skills;
- negotiating and organising skills;
- the ability to deal with difficult situations and
conflict;
- a stable temperament;
- good report writing skills.
Being able to use a computer and drive a car is also
necessary.
Entry Requirements
In Wales the professional qualifying training for social workers
is a degree in social work approved by the Care Council for Wales
(CCW). The Undergraduate degree is a three year programme and
entrance is via approved universities, who determine their own
conditions for entry. The Post Graduate degree is a two year
programme and entrance is via approved universities who also
determine their own conditions for entry. The previous
professional qualification, the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), is
still recognised as a valid social work qualification. Those
wishing to pursue a degree in social work will need GCSEs (or
equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C or above.
Although universities will set their own conditions of entrance,
possible useful A-level (or equivalent) subjects would be law,
sociology or psychology. Vocational GCSEs, QCFs and A-level
subjects may also be useful.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Social work is a rapidly growing field and there are good
promotion prospects, structured professional development programmes
and on the job training. The Care Council for Wales is
introducing qualification requirements for social workers known as
the Continuing Professional Education and Learning Framework
(CPEL). The full CPEL Framework will describe the minimum
arrangements for the continuing professional education and learning
of social workers after initial qualification. The overall
objectives are to ensure that CPEL improves the standard of social
work practice and assists with the development of experienced
social work practitioners. The development and implementation
of the CPEL Framework starts with the Consolidation Programme which
is for newly qualified social workers. There will then be
relevant levels of training on offer to Social Workers that will
meet their developing professional careers as they move towards
being an Experienced Practitioner, a Team Manager or a Consultant
Social Worker.
Further Information & Services
British Association of Social Workers www.basw.co.uk
Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk
Community Care www.communitycare.co.uk
Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk/socialhealthcare
Health & Care Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org
Homes & Communities Agency www.homesandcommunities.co.uk
Skills for Care www.skillsforcare.org.uk
Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk
The Open University has produced an interactive resource
exploring a day in the life of a social worker:
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/body-mind/social-care/social-work/try-day-the-life-social-worker
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.