Social work is not only immensely important to
Laura Bleaney, 28, returned to study a Laura. “As a social worker, every day children’s lives and satisfying on a personal level,
Masters in social work after graduating throws up a different challenge and but it’s also financially rewarding. As a newly
with a first in history from King’s College the breadth of the job means there are qualified social worker you can expect to start
Cambridge and now works as a front-line so many ways to help protect on a salary of approximately £18,000, increasing
children’s social worker for Hackney vulnerable children. There are also to around £30,000 as your career progresses
Council in London. “When I graduated I opportunities for me to progress within and you gain more experience and responsibility.
worked in international development, but my department and on to management
after spending two years there I realised I if I want, which means there are Social workers can be employed by a local
wanted to work more directly with children several long term possibilities for me authority or work for a charity such as the
and families in a hands-on way,” says to explore.” NSPCC, Barnado’s or for an independent
organisation such as a fostering agency. The
role is varied and could range from working
in children’s homes or managing adoption
and foster care processes through to
helping children who have problems at
school or are facing difficulties brought on
by illness in the family.
Social workers are highly qualified professionals
and it takes the right training to help you get
there. Every social worker needs to hold a
professional qualification in social work; either
a three-year degree or a two-year Masters.
There are several initiatives to support those
wanting to make social work their career.
If you’re a social work graduate about to
enter your first role, there is the opportunity
to participate in the Newly Qualified Social
Worker (NQSW) pilot programme. This
provides a structured and managed induction
year with reduced caseload and guaranteed
employer support and supervision.
Ngozi Palmer is deputy team manager and
oversees four social workers and one social
work assistant. She acknowledges that the
work can be challenging but has a few
words of advice for people considering a
career in social work.
“You need emotional intelligence; to be able
to empathise and respond appropriately,
and you need to be resilient. But it’s also
stimulating and exciting – genuinely no two
days are the same. Building relationships
and gaining the trust of vulnerable children
takes a lot of skill and patience; but when it
finally does happen, it’s one of the most
rewarding moments there is to experience.”
If you believe you can be the difference in a
child’s life, social work with children and families
is for you. To learn more please search online
for ‘Be the difference’ or call 0300 123 1220.
GRAD MAG 35
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