Becoming a social worker
Helping you take the next step towards your future as a social worker
Being a social worker is an extremely rewarding and challenging job. Whether you decide to work with children, adults or families, there is no question that you’ll have to deal with some very complex cases throughout your career. Every day and every case will be completely different; you will often need to use your instincts and judgment to make difficult decisions with and on behalf of the people you’re supporting.
Social work is all about people. You’ll need to be hard working, adaptable, honest and above all, passionate about finding long-term solutions and supporting positive changes for children, adults and families in the future.
Social work – what is it all about?
Effective communication, building trust and maintaining strong relationships with people who use services and carers are the crucial attributes of a social worker and will help to enable change in people's lives. Social work is practised, whenever possible, in partnership with children, adults, families and communities and tries to improve the personal, practical, psychological and social aspects of people's lives.
We have produced a document which clarifies the ways in which social work contributes to, and supports the wellbeing and care of people and communities:
Who is legally entitled to be called a social worker?
Only someone who is qualified and registered may use the title social worker. Social workers:
- work in a regulated profession where they are required to keep their knowledge and practice up to date
- have to be registered and meet the set requirements for public protection
- are supervised
- are accountable to an independent regulator
Social workers have an obligation to conduct themselves ethically and to engage in ethical decision-making, including through partnership with people who use their services. Social workers are knowledgeable about the value base of their profession, its ethical standards and relevant law .
Social Workers are currently regulated by the GSCC, and will be regulated by the HPC (subject to changes in the law being agreed).
The regulation and registration of the workforce
The General Social Care Council (GSCC) is the current regulator of the social work profession and social work education in England. The GSCC protects the public by requiring high standards of education, conduct and practice of social workers, ensuring that only those who are properly trained and committed to high standards are able to practise social work.
In 2010 the government conducted a major review of Arms Length Bodies (ALBs) within the Department of Health. The government have announced that as of summer 2012 the GSCC’s regulatory functions will be taken over by the Health Professions Council (HPC).
This decision will bring the social work profession in line with other healthcare professions, including occupational therapists and psychologists, who are already regulated by the HPC.
Social work will comprise a large proportion of the work of the HPC and we expect to see this new role reflected in the practise of the organisation.
A Professional Liaison Group has now been created, in order to explore and draft standards of proficiency for social workers in England, and make recommendations to the Education and Training Committee and to the Council.
To find out more about the Professional Liaision Group and to read papers from past meetings, please click here.
Taking you to all the right places
The General Social Care Council’s (GSCC) website has an extensive ‘useful links’ section, where you can find all the information you need about the different social care organisations, including straightforward advice on social work training and course providers. You will also find information on how to complete applications along with guidance regarding bursaries and funding.