This section includes frequently asked questions on a career in social work. Social workers come from all sorts of backgrounds, and there are opportunities for college-leavers, postgraduate studies or for those interested in a career change.
How do I become a social worker?
Social workers do a very responsible job and will need to be trained, skilled and appropriately qualified before going into practice. The route to this is through an honours or postgraduate degree in social work which has been approved by the GSCC and which combines theoretical learning with 200 days of assessed practice in a range of settings.
You can access the full list of universities which have been approved to offer social work degree courses and the type of courses they are approved to offer.
Please contact the university or college directly to find out more details about course delivery and university admissions requirements. This list includes web links to each university or college website so that you can view individual prospectuses, and telephone contact details for social work or admissions departments.
If you already have a degree you may be able to apply for a postgraduate course. You will see that postgraduate courses can be viewed separately.
The majority of courses are three-year full-time courses, although there are some part-time courses. Postgraduate courses may be delivered full-time over two years.
Many universities will be looking for people who have some knowledge about social care, what it is and how it works. Some paid or voluntary experience will be helpful for your application
The social work profession needs people who reflect the diversity of different communities in Britain. Applications for social work courses are welcomed from people of all ages (18+), men and women, people with disabilities and people from different racial, cultural and religious backgrounds.
The Degree FAQs for Prospective Students (150 KB) contains more information about:
- degree entry requirements and how to apply;
- getting relevant experience in social care or social work;
- mature students or students who have been out of education for several years; and
- students with disabilities;
Students studying for a social work qualification at either undergraduate or post-graduate level may be eligible to receive a bursary and contribution to their fees.
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Can I study to become a social worker whilst continuing to work?
The answer to this depends on what sort of work you intend to do.
Many university students continue to work part-time whilst studying for their degree, however you must be aware that in studying for a professional qualification there are specific requirements which make this more difficult.
The majority of SW degrees are full time courses and all students have to complete 200 days ( normally 6 – 7 hours per day) of assessed practice. Whilst there are a number of part time courses, the 200 days still have to be completed. So it is difficult to continue working any more than a few hours per week whilst studying for a social work degree.
Some local authorities or voluntary organisations may second or sponsor their employees to study the social work degree through the Open University or a local university, following a period of employment with them. This sponsorship will include financial support or salary through the duration of the course. (Please note that it is only possible to undertake the OU degree if you are sponsored by a relevant employer.)
Sometimes these schemes apply to long serving employees who have worked their way up through the organisation; others offer particular trainee or sponsorship schemes, usually for graduates, for which they advertise in Community Care magazine, the Guardian Society jobs supplement on Wednesdays or local papers.
Therefore, in order to undertake a the social work degree whilst you are working full-time you need to be employed in an appropriate social care job with an employer who agrees to sponsor you.
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What financial help is available for students?
Once accepted onto an approved course, students may be eligible for a Bursary, in addition to tuition fees and a allowance for practice placement costs. Eligibility will be assessed according to published criteria.
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What are the practice learning requirements for the social work degree?
All students on all courses must successfully complete at least 200 days of assessed practice before being awarded the social work degree. There is no exception to this requirement. The length of a day is agreed between the university and the placement provider and would normally be six to seven hours. If for any reason the student needs to complete a shorter or longer day, as negotiated with the university, then the hours undertaken should be aggregated. For example, if a student is undertaking half-days, then they would be expected to do double the number of days. Sickness or other absences should be made up.
The social work degree is a generic degree which aims to prepare students to work across a range of service user groups. Students must have experience:
in at least two practice settings with at least two user groups; and
of statutory social work tasks involving legal interventions (this does not mean that the student has to have a statutory placement, but must have opportunities to gain experience of statutory work).
It is the responsibility of the university to ensure that the practice learning opportunities meet the learning needs of the student and enable them to demonstrate the national occupational standards. Students should read their handbooks carefully to find out information about practice learning arrangements on their programme and discuss with their tutor in the first instance if they have any concerns about the placement.
Some universities may have arrangements in place for students to undertake one of the placements abroad. In this case the university must ensure:
that the student will have the opportunity to demonstrate at least some of the National Occupational Standards; and
that arrangements are in place for the appropriate support and assessment of the student in line with the university’s approved procedures.
All students must undergo assessed preparation to ensure their safety to undertake practice learning prior to their first placement. This will vary across universities but must include the opportunity to shadow an experienced social worker and the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the experience of service users.
Department of Health requirements for Social Work degree training.
If you have further questions please contact us on 01788 532400.
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Do social work students have to undertake the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)?
Changes to the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) requirement to take effect from 1st September 2009. Letter to HEI’s from the Head of Social Work Education.
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Why has the GSCC decided to integrate the learning associated with PQ1 into the new framework instead of keeping it as a separate award?
The current PQ1 is part of the PQSW, and the PQ1 cerificate is not an award, but a statement of meeting part 1 of the PQSW requirements. The modular nature of the new framework will mean in future that the consolidation module can be used in a similar way that PQ1 is currently used.
The GSCC approves full awards, not part awards; therefore individual modules cannot be approved.
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I’ve just completed PQ1. Is it worth carrying on with another award or should I wait till the new framework is launched?
Arrangements are in place to either recognise PQ1 in the new framework via accreditation of prior experiential learning (AP(E)L), or provide support to candidates to complete their full PQ award within a reasonable timeframe. Remember PQ1 remains an entry requirement for the current Mental Health Social Work Award and Child Care Award. Contact the PQ Consortia you are registered with for more information on opportunities to complete your Post-Qualifying Award in Social Work (PQSW), and discuss options with your employer (if applicable).
For more questions about PQ, access the PQ FAQs (Word 127 KB).
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What is an Approved Social Worker (ASW)? How can I become an ASW and what courses can I do to become one?
Approved Social Workers (ASWs) are qualified and experienced social workers who are especially approved by Local Authorities (LAs) under Government statutory regulations to undertake specific roles, duties and functions under mental health legislation on behalf of their employers. They will have done special post-qualifying training to be eligible. Approval by the LA is for 5 years renewable and only applies while the social worker is under the employment or secondment of the governing LA. ASW status is not an academic or professional qualification as such. It is not like a licence that attaches to the individual indefinitely. It is invoked only where a LA requires an employed social worker to be approved to act as an ASW on its behalf while under the auspices of that LA.
For more questions about ASW access the ASW FAQs (Word 128 KB).
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How do I become an external examiner for the degree in social work and/or the new post-qualifying framework?
With the introduction of the degree in social work and the ‘early start’ programmes for the new post-qualifying framework , the arrangements for the management and appointment of external examiners rests with the university or higher education institute offering the award. Appointing an external examiner to each programme of learning for social workers is an approval requirement of the GSCC. It is expected that examiners to social work programmes are qualified social workers with experience and expertise in social work education and assessment systems.
The Higher Education Academy Social Work and Social Policy Subject Centre (SWAP) has a database of interested and potential external examiners that may be used by education providers when they are seeking to appoint an external examiner. You may show your interest by completing the information section and indicating through your experience if you are interested in external examining for the degree in social work or for post qualifying awards. Additional resources about the role of the external examiner are also available.
Familiarity with the requirements of the new PQ awards is desirable and achievement of the awards yourself would be an advantage. There are no specified criteria for PQ EEs, but those wishing to be an EE for a postgraduate awards might normally be expected to have attained a Masters degree.
To find out more on external examining and social work awards, please do contact the Education Standards & Information manager.
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What are the daily rates for placements?
The daily fee per student is set at £18 per day unless the agency can provide the university with evidence:
- Of their charitable status
- That they have registered private company status
- That they are service user or carer led organisation
In which case it will be £28 per day.
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What is the £2 per day funding for? Can it be used for printing course materials?
The £2 per practice placement day funding is a contribution towards the costs of administering the new funding arrangements. Course materials are not a part of that cost and should be covered as part of the routine costs involved in running any university course.
Further information on funding
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