Introduction
Children are potentially one of the most threatened members of
society because they are among the most vulnerable. They can be
subject to neglect, physical, emotional, sexual and substance
abuse. Some have learning difficulties, physical disabilities
or mental health problems. Often the troubled disadvantaged
child is regarded as a menace who should be disciplined. But
to social workers he is a damaged, perhaps depressed, frightened
and lonely individual. It is their job to help him: to
organise care and support for the child and his family who is at
risk or who has special needs. It is one of the specialist areas of
social work. There are also similar roles within adult
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 centres,
hospitals, residential and day care centres, schools, special
schools or private homes - where children with complex problems
exist in circumstances in which their liberty or safety is
threatened. Tasks undertaken outside the office often involve
a degree of isolation with physical and emotional risks.
There is a considerable amount of local travel involved.
Daily Activities
Regular daily requirements include visiting children, families and
young people in various places and escorting them to spend time
with parents and family. There are meetings to attend,
emergencies to respond to, reports, records and letters to write,
liaison with other professionals, planning and reviewing of
procedures and progress. There may also be a need to attend family
court hearings. Social workers may also get involved with
special research projects on issues affecting a number of children
and families. There is considerable scope for using
individual initiative but decisions are usually taken as a team
with collective responsibility. Deadlines are determined by the
statutory/legal framework within which the service operates.
Each day will feature liaison with social services colleagues,
other council departments, the police, health officials, GPs,
school nurses, consultants, psychologists and the general
public.
Skills & Interests
To do this job well you would need to be able to:
- engage with the child to identify its needs;
- establish an effective way of talking to a child;
- communicate with people from all walks of life;
- respect the rights of the child and the family;
- be good at interviewing, listening and observation;
- negotiate and organise;
- deal with difficult situations and conflict;
- understand the principles of intervention;
- engage with parents to effect change;
- have a stable and mature temperament;
- have 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.
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.