are there different qualifications to be a social worker in England vs. United States?

[Mia]

I want to study at University of East London so I can live with my boyfriend and he can be close to his family, but later we want to move back to the United States. I just don't know if there is a difference in qualifications for social workers in England vs. America.

[ibu guru]

US: almost all social work jobs require the MSW (master's of social work) degree. Furthermore, they are a glut on the market. Most social work jobs are through govt agencies, and budget cuts have resulted in massive layoffs over the past several years. Charities likewise have been slashing budgets for years. Therefore, I know social workers (MSW + experience!) who have been cobbling together 2, 3, 4 part-time jobs just to try to keep a roof over their own heads! Even with US degrees, you can expect difficulty finding work. And it's not well paid, either. E.g. some social workers with part-time jobs at homeless shelters are only making $15-20/hour, and, honey, that don't pay the rent! Leaving you stuck for utilities, car, yada-yada.

Sorry I'm not an expert on UK qualifications in this field, but apparently they do not require the MSW? Without MSW in US, from US university, cannot see any chance of you working in US. With MSW, well, rotsaruck with that. Over half of new grads cannot find any kind of work within a year after graduation. Took my friend 1-1/2 years of job hunting to find a job in a nursing home. She likes it now, but it was awfully rough for the first year on the job, and she can't say which was worse - job hunt or starting that job.