How to become a social worker

There's a huge demand for qualified, passionate social workers to help some of society's most vulnerable people. Discover how to get into social work and learn more about the qualifications, skills and experience you'll need

Social work is a practice-based profession that is all about improving the wellbeing of individuals and families by meeting and improving their basic needs.

'Today more than ever social workers are needed, with more and more families living in poverty,' explains Sarah Riding, social work lecturer at the University of Salford. 'This can lead to huge stresses that impact on parenting. There's also an exponential increase in people with mental health challenges (including children and young people), rising levels of substance misuse and older adults with more complex needs. Needs are growing and we require social workers who are capable and able to meet those needs.'

'The overarching challenges that the social work profession faces are enhancing the confidence that the public have in the role and meeting the needs of those who require support within a climate of budget restrictions and eligibility thresholds,' explains Scott Parker, senior lecturer in social work at the University of Northampton. 'New graduates can help in representing social work as a professional, value-led career, which seeks to work with those in need of support in a fair manner, utilising consistent standards and values.'

Where do social workers work and who do they work with?

As a social worker you'll work in a variety of settings such as local authorities, NHS (National Health Service) trusts or the voluntary and private sectors.

'As a career, social work can give you so much satisfaction, but it can also be incredibly difficult,' says Sarah. 'You will have the opportunity to work with people literally from cradle to grave - during pregnancies, with children and families, young people, adults and older people. You may support those with complex needs and learning difficulties, people who are victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse, people who are homeless, refugees and asylum seekers, people who struggle with substance abuse, people who are involved with youth justice, people with complex mental health needs, and those with dementia.'

What social work qualifications do I need?

Social work is a graduate profession, so you need to be educated to degree level in order to qualify.

There are a number of pathways you can take into a social care career. The most obvious is to study for an undergraduate social work degree. The majority of institutions provide Bachelors courses in the subject, so do your research to find out which is the right one for you.

If your first degree was in an unrelated subject, your next option is to consider a Masters in social work (MSW) - for example, the Social Work MA at the University of Northampton. Search postgraduate social work courses.

However, studying a social work degree at university isn't the only route into the profession.

If you're a graduate of an unrelated subject and you'd prefer a more hands-on approach to qualifying as a social worker, there are a number of fast-track training programmes on offer.

• To be eligible for the government's Step Up to Social Work programme you'll need a 2:1 or a 2:2 and a Masters in any discipline except social work.
• On the Frontline Approach Social Work programme you'll earn a Masters degree in social work. To be eligible you'll need at least a 2:2 in an undergraduate subject.
• To register for the Think Ahead programme you'll need a 2:1 or higher in any subject other than social work.

For a more comprehensive guide to social work qualifications and available social work bursaries, see social work courses.

Can I do a social work apprenticeship?

It's possible to become a qualified social worker through a degree apprenticeship. To find out more about the level and length of schemes, what they involve and what you'll be paid, see social care apprenticeships.

How long does it take to become a social worker in the UK?

It depends on which qualification route you choose but on average it takes two to three years to become a social worker.

Bachelors degrees take three years to complete, while Masters in social work typically run for two. 

The length of graduate schemes differ. Frontline's Approach to Social Work programme takes three years to complete, the Think Ahead scheme takes two years and Step up to Social work takes 14 months.

Social work degree apprenticeships usually last three years.

Do I need to register as a social worker?

Yes, and the reason for this is to ensure that all social workers are fully qualified and operate to the highest standards.

To secure a job as a social worker you must be registered with one of the four UK regulators:

• Social Work England
• Social Care Wales
• Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
• Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)

The one you need to register with will depend on where you plan to live and work. To become a registered social worker you'll need to hold a degree - either a Bachelors or Masters.

Registered social workers need to re-register every two or three years. The process of re-registration requires you to complete ongoing training and learning. The four regulators have different requirements and procedures, so make sure you're aware of what's expected of you.

Social Work England requires social workers to maintain a record of their CPD (continuing professional development) activities; they also carry out random audits to ensure that those registered are carrying out the necessary training.

What skills do I need to succeed in social work?

'The qualities needed to be an effective social worker include a flexible, problem solving and reflective approach, confidence, and competence in completing the workload, an ability to understand the challenges faced by those you work with and honesty and integrity in delivering support and representing the profession,' says Scott.

'You'll also need empathy and insight and the ability to attune to the needs of others,' adds Sarah. 'You need to be able to work with uncertainty and to have built up good methods of managing stress. Those going into social work need to really enjoy being with other people as teamwork is a must.'

In terms of specific skills you'll need:

• Active listening - entails listening, paying attention to and remembering what others tell you and demonstrating this through appropriate body language and responses. It's not only essential to collecting client information but also to establish trust.
• Boundary setting - the nature of the work means it's easy to get emotionally invested in cases. Setting boundaries ensures that professional lines aren't crossed and it keeps you focused on the end goal.
• Critical and creative thinking - being able to think on your feet enables you to make important decisions and solve complex problems based on your knowledge, understanding and analysis of a case.
• Communication - both written and verbal. Social workers need to communicate with people in a number of different ways, be this talking to clients face-to-face or over the phone, presenting cases to colleagues or making written referrals. All communication must be clear and articulate in order to be understood.
• Interpersonal skills - social work is all about building relationships and an element of trust with clients, so being able to work with people from all backgrounds is crucial.
• IT - you'll need to keep up-to-date, accurate records of all cases and complete a substantial amount of paperwork, so proficiency with computers is essential.
• Organisation - social workers have to juggle a heavy caseload and liaise with other agencies on a daily basis, so organisational skills are vital. Organisational ability also enables social workers to cope under pressure and prioritise their cases accordingly.
• Recall - a heavy caseload also requires a good memory as you'll be expected to know the details of each case without getting them mixed up.
• Resilience - the work is emotionally challenging and you'll likely deal with individuals and families in crisis on a regular basis. Resilience and the ability to look after your own emotional needs are imperative to succeeding in the job.

You'll also need solid knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and policy in your area of practice.

Where can I find relevant work experience?

Organising a period of work shadowing alongside a qualified social worker may be difficult due to heavy caseloads and the sensitive and confidential nature of their work. However, you could speculatively contact your local authority social services department to explain your situation and enquire about opportunities. Discover how to ask employers for work experience. If you know a professional social worker, now's the time to take advantage of your contacts.

For more formal experience, The King's Trust offers 70-day student social work placements to those undertaking a social work degree at undergraduate or Masters level. The placements give students first-hand experience of supporting those aged between 16 and 25 with issues relating to education, emotional wellbeing, abuse, housing or finances.

Paid work is relevant, especially if it's in a caring capacity. 'This could be in an area of health or social care (e.g. as a domiciliary care worker or residential care worker), in education (working with education staff, families, parents and children) or in criminal justice (working with offenders, support staff or the police),' explains Scott. 'Similarly, public-facing retail or commercial environments are beneficial, particularly where there are elements of delivering services and dealing with customer complaints.'

Find out more about work experience and internships.

Can voluntary opportunities help me get a social work job?

Yes, one of the best ways to gain experience of working with children, families and vulnerable groups is through volunteering. Taking on a voluntary position demonstrates your commitment to social work and is an excellent way to build useful contacts. For example, if you'd like to work with children you could volunteer in schools, summer camps, youth clubs and local sports teams. Learn more about volunteering with children.  

Volunteering with victim support organisations, homeless shelters and mental health charities such as Mind provides valuable experience for those hoping to get into adult social work or work with vulnerable groups.

To develop your communication and active listening skills you could volunteer as a phone line counsellor for charities such as ChildLine, Nightline or the Samaritans. You could also get involved in community projects at advice centres, community centres and churches.

Where should I look for social work jobs?

Once you've gained the right combination of experience, qualifications and registration, you'll be ready to look for social work jobs.

Fast-track training schemes and apprenticeships often lead directly into full-time employment, but if you didn't qualify through these routes, here's how to find social work vacancies:

• Search online - check local authority and council websites, NHS Jobs for careers in NHS trusts and the job pages of charitable organisations you're interested in working for.
• Use your contacts - make use of social media channels such as LinkedIn and your university alumni network to let contacts know that you're looking for a job in social work.
• Join professional bodies - gaining membership of The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) opens up a variety of opportunities. You can search for vacancies and attend conferences and networking events.
• Sign up to an agency - social work agencies such as Liquid Personnel, Sanctuary Personnel, Caritas and Seven Resourcing are recruitment agencies that specialise in social work roles. Gaining work through an agency means you'll likely work on short-term contracts, providing experience in a range of settings.

Once you've secured that all-important job interview, see social work interview questions to find out how to impress.

'Social work is a demanding and at times challenging career. However, within this there are also huge benefits and a diverse range of practice areas that offer not merely a job but a satisfying career journey that can lead to some unexpected personal and professional developments,' adds Scott.

Find out more

• See what else the social care sector has to offer.
• Discover what you can do with your degree in social work.
• Learn more about working with children.