Careers in social work

The Social Work profession offers a rewarding career for people who have:

• a genuine desire to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable people;
• high self confidence;
• excellent analytical skills;
• advanced influencing skills;
• relationship management skills;
• emotional self awareness & self control;
• good teamworking; and  
• drive and determination to get results.

In the UK the profession has specialised into a number of discrete fields including:

• child protection;
• working with the elderly;
• mental health;
• fostering & adoption;
• children with disabilities; and 
• adults with learning disabilities
• youth offending.

Social workers are employed both by local government (in statutory roles operating within children’s legislation) and by charities (in support roles).

To practice as a Social Worker in the UK you must by law hold a BA or BSc Degree in Social Work, and be registered with the General Social Care Council.

This qualification is available full-time and part-time at a number of local universities including University of Bedfordshire, Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, University College Northampton and University Of Hertfordshire. There are government bursaries available to students on the degree course. In addition the Open University offers distance learning.

The best place for further information about a career as a Social Worker is the Department of Health website| (new window).

Social work training at Bedfordshire County Council

There are currently two routes to become a Social Worker at Bedfordshire County Council:

Secondment route

You can also join the Council in a role such as Social Work Assistant (in a social work team) or Residential Worker (in a residential unit for adults with learning disabilities, children with disabilities or children in care). Once employed you would be able to apply to gain the Social Work Degree through part time study whilst working. Places on these courses are only open to employees and numbers are very limited. Selection is therefore by competitive interviews conducted each year.

Jobs are advertised in the local press, at jobcentres, in local libraries, and on this website.

Traineeship scheme

In addition to seconding existing employees, a further option is to become a Social Work Trainee.

You would spend your first year working on a full time basis supported by experienced staff within the workplace to ultimately gain the knowledge, skills and understanding of the work role, that will prepare you for entry on to the appropriate Social Work Degree programme with the University of Bedfordshire. To gain access to this programme you will be required to hold an existing Degree in a related discipline. 

For more information please contact the Recruitment and Retention Team on 01234 276115.