Social Workers

 

“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work.  Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social workengages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.

[International Federation of Social Workers]

Social work is a profession that is very much people-centred. They work with individuals, families and groups to help improve outcomes in the lives of the people they work with. The focus of their work could be to support people to live more satisfying and independent lives or it could be in working collaboratively in helping to protect vulnerable people from harm or abuse. Social workers support people, act as advocates and signpost people to the services they may require.

Social workers work in a variety of organisations. Many work for local authorities in departments that provide services for children and/or adults. Some work in NHS Trusts and many others work in the voluntary and private sector. The profession works closely with other agencies such as education, health, the police and probation services as part of multi-disciplinary teams.

Becoming a Social Worker

Becoming a social worker is an interesting and rewarding career choice. Social workers strive to help individuals and families to live independently and deal with the social problems that might affect them. In order to work as a social worker, you must be able to identify risks and make choices that help to protect vulnerable people from abuse or harm.

In order to become a social worker, you will need to obtain a degree in social work from a course provider which is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.

For more information on qualifying and working as a social work please click here

Fact Sheets

Placements represent 50% of the Social Work Degree course and students will be given the opportunity to practice skills and apply knowledge in a variety of settings. During the placements students will be encouraged and enabled to reflect critically on their learning, and personal & professional development, synthesising academic and practice modules. 

[University of Wolverhampton Learning Outcomes]

Walsall Council has set out its commitment to the Universities of Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Staffordshire to provide regular placements for students undertaking the B.A. and M.A. degree courses in Social Work. 

All requests for placements must come from the university you are studying with. Requests direct from individuals will not be accepted.

 

Registering as a Social Worker

From 2 December 2019, registration as a social worker transferred from HCPC to Social Work England, the specialist regulator focused on enabling positive change in social work. 

Click here to go to Social Work England's homepage

All social workers currently registered with HCPC will have received an email from Social Work England explaining the process. 

Newly Qualified Social Workers will need to create a new account 

 

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