Cyngor Gofal Cymru / Care Council for Wales

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I choose a career in social work?

Social work is a challenging yet rewarding job that allows you to support and protect vulnerable people. Undertaking varied and interesting work, you will have the chance to be part of a team of committed professionals, often from other sectors, e.g. police, housing, education. As a social worker you will have registered on a national register, thereby providing you with professional status.
A wide range of opportunities exist for career progression and ongoing professional development, and good starting salaries are available for new graduates.

2. What kind of person makes a good social worker?

You will need to be honest, reliable and flexible with a mature attitude and sound values. Often dealing with vulnerable people at challenging times in their lives, you will have to have good communication skills to build relationships. Essential to this role are effective interpersonal skills which you will need to be an affective member of a team.

3. What practicalities do I need to consider before choosing social work training?

Embarking on a new programme of study, particularly if you have been in paid employment for some time, will have a considerable impact on your lifestyle. You will have to take account of financial arrangements, time constraints, possible travel implications and, in some cases, relevant childcare.

4. What experience do I need to be accepted onto a training course?

Entry requirements will vary between universities and colleges, so it is always good to contact the institution where you would like to study. Knowledge of social care or previous experience from social care employment, volunteer work or life itself would be an advantage.

5. I already hold academic qualifications, but will these be relevant to social work training?

As with entry requirements and previous experience, recognition of existing qualifications will vary between institutions. Some courses are developing arrangements where students are credited with prior learning, related to the first year only. There is also a masters degree for those who have already gained a degree.

6. What is required of me to get on a course?

Applications must be made through UCAS or direct to some colleges. To study to be a social worker you must also register with the Care Council for Wales. To be accepted onto the register you must prove that you are of good character, and be physically and mentally fit to perform the whole or part of the work involved. You must also demonstrate to the course provider that you are capable of achieving the learning outcomes of social work training.

7. What financial support will be available to me?

There is a range of possible funding sources available according to individual circumstances, including a Social Work Bursary.

8. What will social training entail?

Social work students will experience training which is designed to integrate academic learning with the development of practical skills.

The study will include a range of academic learning related to social policy, human growth and development, law and social work practice. The practice will require students to demonstrate competence against the 21 units of the National Occupational Standards for social work. Students will also have to undertake a minimum of 200 days practice learning over the course of the qualification.

9. Will I be able to train through the medium of Welsh?

Most students will have an opportunity to receive tutorial support and submit assessed work in the Welsh language. Many programmes will also be able to offer practice learning opportunities in Welsh-language settings. Some Social Work Programmes will offer modules taught bilingually or through the Welsh medium.

10. What happens when I complete my training?

Social work offers good job security and job satisfaction, along with competitive starting salaries for new graduates. On achieving your social work qualification, it is possible to specialise in a certain area, e.g. child care, mental health, older people, drugs and alcohol work.

Social work is a career that offers excellent prospects of securing employment in your preferred geographical or specialist area. Working for a local authority social services department allows the opportunity to offer support to a wide range of service users, whilst work in voluntary and private sectors often focuses on specific projects and service user groups. As part of a dynamic and developing profession, you would have access to continuous professional development, including post-qualifying education.