What are the Different Types of Social Worker Roles?.

Social work is a rewarding yet challenging career, and if you have ambitions of working in this sector, then there are various avenues that you can go down. Without social workers, the most vulnerable people in our society will not get the level of support that they need. Unfortunately, many children, families, and vulnerable adults find themselves in situations that can cause them harm. 

The overriding purpose of a Social Worker role is to improve the lives of those who are living vulnerably or have gone through traumatic events that affect their day-to-day living. Through various methods and guidance, a Social Worker will support individuals or families and may have to make difficult decisions along the way. 

If you are interested in this industry and would like to explore the various Social Worker duties and types of positions in this sector, then continue reading! We identify the different types of Social Worker job roles and explain how you can become a Social Worker through distance education. UK learners can begin embarking on their career journey today! 

What Does a Social Worker Do? 

Social Worker duties are varied depending on the area they specialise in, but essentially, they build and maintain professional relationships with individuals and families, safeguarding them from harm. A Social Worker job role will fit within a framework of legislation, ensuring that procedures are adhered to when support is provided to members of a community. 

Homes, hospitals, schools, voluntary organisations, and other public sector premises are among the settings that a Social Worker may find themselves in. While the roles and responsibilities of a Social Worker differ depending on their specialism, there are general tasks that come with a Social Worker job role. These include: 

• Assessing and reviewing the situations of individuals and families by conducting interviews with them 
• Writing up assessments, at times in collaboration with other professionals 
• Making difficult decisions about the best way to proceed in a situation, always being driven by the individual or family’s best interest 
• Providing regular support and information 
• Managing support packages  
• Keeping accurate records 
• Taking part in multidisciplinary teams, training, and meetings 
• Liaising and making referrals to agencies 
• Giving evidence in court 

As well as the above list of common Social Worker duties, you will need to demonstrate a variety of skills to thrive in a Social Worker job role. These include: 

• Emotional resilience 
• Patience 
• Flexibility 
• Solid observational and listening skills 
• Good communication skills 
• Initiative 
• Ability to mediate 

What are the Different Types of Social Worker? 

Social work covers a wide spectrum, and while the overall goal is the same, the way in which it is delivered is not. There are various categories of people in society who require additional help and support. If you are wondering how to be a Social Worker, you first need to understand the various roles involved in the profession. 

Your Social Worker duties will depend on your specialism, of which there are a handful. Generally, when working in this profession, you will be responsible for supporting the following groups of people: 

• Children and families – Your Social Worker job role will involve resolving conflicts, with your primary focus being on maintaining the wellbeing of the children involved. You will likely have to work with other agencies in this instance, and there is a high level of sensitivity when working with children and families 
• Young people – Adolescents go through a critical period of development, trying to establish their identity and dealing with conflicts around family and education. As part of your Social Worker duties, you will be responsible for helping them through this period and building confidence 
• The elderly – The ageing process can be tough on individuals, so it is your role to help them adapt to their situations and help them live independently if their situation suits 
• People with physical disabilities – If you opt for this Social Worker job role, you will provide practical assistance, as well as organise access to the support services they need  
• People with mental health conditions – You will be helping individuals manage their mental health conditions and help them live comfortably in their surroundings, while also encouraging them to focus on their potential 
• Drug and alcohol abusers – Your Social Worker duties in this instance will involve helping individuals to quit their addictions and manage the problems that come with them. These may include family conflict and homelessness 

How Many Hours Does a Social Worker Work Per Day? 

There are many elements of a job that you need to consider when pursuing a career, and one of those is working hours. A Social Worker job role will generally require 37 hours of work per week, but it can differ depending on your role. 

Due to Social Worker duties being varied, you may need to work during evenings and weekends occasionally. This is likely to be the case if you are working in teams that focus on child protection, fostering, and adoption. For those of you hoping to become a Residential Care Social Worker, you should be aware that you will be working regular unsocial hours. 

How Do You Become a Social Worker? 

When considering how to be a Social Worker, the first thing that you need to take into account is Social Worker qualifications. UK residents will need to have an undergraduate honours degree or a postgraduate degree in social work. It is important to note that your chosen degree must be approved by one of the following bodies: 

• Social Work England 
• Social Care Wales 
• Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) 
• Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) 

Even if you have a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a foundation degree, you will still need to achieve a degree in social work. Please note, though, that qualifications in social care, politics, legal studies, or social sciences, will boost your chances of moving into the social work sector. 

Traditionally, you would have had to obtain at least two A Levels to secure a place at your chosen university, but now there are other options available. 

Access to Higher Education Diplomas 

For learners that don’t possess A Levels but don’t want to wait two years to achieve their qualifications, there is another route you can take. An Access to Higher Education Diploma is the equivalent of 3 A Levels and is vocational, so you will study job-specific units as well as study skills. So, you will be better placed to pursue a Social Worker job role. 

Not only that, but you can achieve your recognised diploma in less than one year, unlike traditional A Levels, which can take up to two years. The speed in which you can achieve the qualification is largely down to the fact that the course is delivered online, so you can learn at a pace that suits your lifestyle. In fact, on average, individuals who study Access to Higher Education Diploma courses with Stonebridge Associated Colleges gain their qualification in 9-12 months!  

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Work) is ideally suited to individuals pursuing a Social Worker job role. It covers a multitude of topics that will get you prepared for degree-level study. Included in the modules are: 

• Health and Wellbeing 
• Introduction to Psychology 
• Understanding Crime and Deviance 
• Introduction to Social Work 
• Introduction to Cognitive Psychology 
• Sociology of the Family 
• Contemporary Issues in Social Policy 
• Morals and Ethics in Social Work 
• Sociology of Health 

The following will also be covered: 

• Combating Prejudice and Discrimination 
• Abnormal Psychology 
• Understanding Poverty 
• Social Work Methods 
• The Brain and Nervous System (Psychology) 
• Personal Social Services 
• Psychobiology of Stress 
• Equality of Opportunities in Practice 

The assessment process of this Social Worker course, UK learners, does not include a single exam! Instead, you will be required to complete a series of assignments that will be based on each individual module. Once you have successfully passed, you will be issued with your Level 3 diploma.  

Most universities accept Access to HE Diplomas as part of their entry requirements, but please check with your chosen establishment before applying. 

How to Become a Social Worker Without Going to Uni 

It is not possible to become a Social Worker without obtaining approved Social Worker qualifications. UK residents can only achieve a Social Worker job role with an undergraduate degree in social work or a postgraduate masters in the subject. 

Please note that by studying a degree, you will be committing three years to your studies if you opt for a full-time course. If you want to embark on full-time postgraduate training, then this Social Worker course, UK learners, will usually last around two years. 

What is a Consultant Social Worker? 

Above, we have outlined the various types of Social Worker job roles, but one we did not touch on was the Consultant Social Worker. Rather than provide direct support to the individuals or families who require it, this role involves educating or training social workers in dealing with practice issues and complex social work practice. 

This is a Social Worker job role that you would pursue if you have built up a level of experience and have become an expert of the industry.  

What is a Social Worker Salary? 

Once you have achieved the relevant Social Worker qualifications, UK learners will likely earn a starting salary of between £24,000 and £30,000 per annum. Where you fall on the payment scale will be dependent upon the location of your Social Worker job role and the local authority. 

With further experience and the ability to take on more Social Worker duties, you could earn up to £40,000 per year. This level is usually reached by individuals who go on to become Head of Service, Commissioning Manager, or Team Manager. 

Get Studying to Become a Social Worker! 

If you are keen to embark on this sector, then you need to focus on gaining relevant Social Worker qualifications. UK learners can do that by studying a Social Work degree, but to get to university you need to meet their entry requirements. We can help with that at Stonebridge Associated Colleges as we offer Level 3 qualifications, such as Access to Higher Education Diplomas. 

We provide distance education UK learners will benefit from. In fact, when you enrol on one of our courses, you will get to experience the following: 

• Online learning – You can complete your chosen course from the comfort of your own home because we deliver our education online. You won’t have to abide by the restrictions that come with classroom learning 
• Study around existing commitments – If you opt for an Access to HE Diploma course, you have a full year to complete it and will have submission deadlines for your assignments. However, you can tailor your study schedule around existing commitments, giving you a range of flexibility 
• 24/7 access – You will be given 24/7 access to all of the course materials you need to complete your course. You will gain this access as soon as you enrol! 
• Student portal – Our industry-leading online platform is easy to use and contains everything you require to pass your course and get the qualification you want 

Our courses will get you closer to achieving a Social Worker job role, so what are you waiting for? Call 0121 392 8288 to speak to one of our Course Executives or contact us online. Start progressing towards your career goal today!