What are the best options to get into Social Work?

[paddysimpson]

Hi!

First post so please go easy on me.

I have recently decided that I would like to get in to some sort of social work (As in being an actual social worker is not necessarily what my aim is).

I am 28 year old male with no direct experience in subject matter - Just a strong interest. I am already educated to degree standard in Digital Media but am intending to change my career path. I have a GCSE in both English's, but not maths (Its definitely not my strong point!)

I have looked up my local adult education college and they offer a 1 year, full time access to hire education course in social work. I have the time and the money to do this subject to a loan being approved.

Is this my best option at the moment? Also as I am not too sure I would be able a second degree (Financially) would i be wasting my time or is there any possibility for work directly from the Access course?

Any information / opinion would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Sarah]

If you already have a degree an MA Social Work (two years) might be your best option. The MA Social Work (for historical reasons we shall not go into!) is the only post grad course through UCAS so you can go on the UCAS website and use the course search facility and under "course type" there is a drop down menu where you can choose "post grad social work". There are 51 courses listed there. They probably all need Maths GCSE or equivalent so you're going to need to get yourself on that type of course somewhere.

My advice would be look at the MA Social Work courses on UCAS and see which universities you would study at (distance might well be a factor if you have a settled life where you currently live) and then see what their entry requirements are. A lot look for the GCSE English and Maths (I think a Social Work Council requirement) and a 2.1 degree. Some take the equivalent Maths but contact where you might want to apply and ask what equivalents they would accept before starting on one.



Now, if being a qualified Social Worker is not your thing but something like that you might want to use the UCAS search engine for "Community". You get some crazy options coming up like "Applied Drama and Music at Bishop Grosseteste University" (what?!) but also a lot of courses like Youth and Community Work, Community Studies, Community Education. How I used to describe the difference between these two types of course when I worked for a university that offered both was that Social Workers get involved when a problem has hit crisis point. Community workers work with the same types of people with the same types of problems but they try and stop it getting to crisis point. Again I would advise looking on UCAS search for what universities offer this would would be interested in and finding out what their entry requirements are. They might take you without the access course. Ask them what type of work people go into with their Community degree and if that sounds like what you want to do.


For any of the above types of courses experience is key. Working with people, and groups of people, and they types of people who use these types of services whether as a paid job or voluntary work is key so if you don't already do this start finding out what volunteering opportunities are in your local community right away.