Yahoo! HotJobs Questions and Answers: what qualifications do i need to apply for a job in social services?

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what qualifications do i need to apply for a job in social services?
Asked by kitten
i have a diploma in counselling. will this help?

Best Answer:
yes i got my counselling after i became a social work and it helps. you need a BA(hons) or MA social work there are several good university that offer this qualification. the best 3 are Lancaster, Sheffield and Uclan (all on the web) you will need GSCE maths and english and the normal entrance for uni... the BA is a 3 year and the MA is a 2 -3 years it can be a rewarding job good luck

prob not - it seems that they give you a computer ? - and when somebody makes a claim - COMPUTER SAYS NO
Answered by scouser

ya sure good luck most important that you must have good patience and heart
Answered by jessy

No, u need to do a 3 yr social work course - very stressful!!! Also if u dont have the grades for this course u may have to complete an Access to higher education course first...
Answered by leannadamadingdong

that's fine. qualifications simply assist us understand new things easily. human life is complexand we face different problems daily. no one qualification is best. we need all specialists. you're on the right path.
Answered by MUNA

Going by what I have read in the papers,none at all and it dont matter what sort bulls up you make,you will not be held responsible so apply and dont worry.
Answered by PHIL D

Hi, Your counselling will help broaden your knowledge and learning skills but i think you would need to go on some sort of training programme - part work based to gain the experience needed. You could then gain yourself a degree. To keep it flexible why not try an open university course, K100 Understanding Health and Social Care is a good one to start with and on their website is a ready reckoner to check whether you are entitled to help with costs to all or part of your fees. Hope this helps hun, Conkys Mummy.
Answered by Conkys Mummy

Yes, it will help. You didnt actually specify which area of social services or which country you are in. You could get a support workers job, or something else like that. If you want to be a social worker, you must do the degree. If in Britain, the open university offer a fantastic course adn you can do it in your spare time. ALso, going to your local council adn asking if there are any jobs in that field, they may be able to take you on whilst sponsoring you through the normal university route too. The possibilities are actually endless. Good luck! P.s the other person who mentioned K100, that was the first course that I did as I am beingput through the degree programme by my work (you have to be sponsored through your emplyer) K100 is a fantastic course) you can probably even use your qualifications to possibly fast track....
Answered by brunelscooby

A CVQ in art.
Answered by John H (UK)

You do not necessarily need to have studied a certain course and got particular qualifications for a job in social services. It depends on the area to which you are applying. Your counselling diploma could be useful but again it really does depend on which area you are applying to. My father used to work for social services and he had no academic qualifications to his name! These who are telling you that you need to have studied a complicated course are wrong and lying. Good luck with it x
Answered by georgie

ok my answer is ignor everyone even me and contact your local job centre / education department for more info... you say social services but in what field... As basically you can get in with social services from the bottom and work your way up... I became a care assistant in a residental home working for social services did my NVQ 2 then you can do NVQ 3 once you have done your NVQ 3 that then opens all doors in the social services with additional training its not hard as some say it is its heart caring determination and ambition if you want it go do it dont be a dreamer but a realistic it worked for me and i now hold a large book of certificates and quailfications and im a single mother
Answered by MissTee

you are a capeble persone youcan doit yourself and this qualificationis enough foryou .and your depend but ihope youcan doit godblessou
Answered by sunil l

They have many job types at Social Services, including Social Workers (SW). There is a lower level job, usually referred to as 'Support Worker', and these people usually spend much of the day to day time with clients, more than the the SW's themselves. Often Support Workers, who show competence, will take on some of the role of the SW's, possibly contributing towards assessments etc. Quals - Good written language skills and maths, preferably with some GCSE's. A degree for a SW is good, as it proves academic skills. Alof of SW's get paid course fees and time off for training, Masters level degrees etc. Experience counts for alot. I know an ambulance driver who went on to become a support worker in the mental health section of a Social Services dept, so aptitude / ability, however it can be demonstrated is key. Getting in is important, as internal moves are easier and you'll see internal job vacancies too. Perhaps your 1st job there won't be the ultimate that you'll aim for. I'd suggest 'A' levels to start Social Worker training, if you have limited other work experience. Good luck! Rob
Answered by Rob E

Hi, It depends what you want to do in Social Services. You could start by applying for a caring role such as a home carer family aid worker etc. They don't normally ask for qualifuications but may require experience in caring posts. I think that a caring attitue and life experience is what they are looking for. You could apply for an assistant SW post and you would work with the SW's following a care plan laid out by the SW.There are other posts in some areas who work as SW's but hold less complex case loads although they are not qualified SW's. OT's and OT technicians work in the comminity adapting houses and providing equipment to promote independance at home. There are jobs in Childrens, children with disabilities, LD, adults and mental health. If you wish to train as a SW a K100 through OU is a good start. SW degrees run over 3 years - they may take your qualification as units towards it. You can either do this off your own back or get an unqulified post with SSD and hope that they will sponser you. The best place is to look on the net for the local council website and they will have a list of vacancies and local universities. It is hard work - could you tell an elderly lady that because of budget cuts you were taking away her home help that she has had for 7 years and she will have to pay privately while she is crying (not nice for you or her!)? Could you cope with aggressive and volient clients and relatives? Can you be non judgemental? Could you cope when clients make complaints about you (normally when you say no)? You can see from some of the negative comments on here what people think of childrens SW's. Also the 1st one who like alot of people mistakenly think that Social Services are the same as the Dept of work and pensions. You will rarely get thanks and most people seem to hate SW's! I have worked for many agencies, including the NHS and have never had such appalling conditions and bizzare management, I do the job becauase, for some people, we make a real difference to their lives. If you can then go for it!
Answered by lovelylittlemoo

If you want to be a support worker this could help, but you really need an NVQ in Health and Social care
Answered by HELENe

hnc/d social science and them a diploma in social work all in all it takes about 5 years
Answered by spoofred23

The couselling qualification will help, it shows you can study at that level. Depends on what sort of SW you want to do, ie, mental healthc childrens, hospital etc. You need to be good at English, Maths is also useful, psychology or sociology at c and above would help. Check with your local college or uni ask for the application pack it will give you the basic info you need.
Answered by Peter M

A thick skin! A love of sitting on your bum & eating biscuits! The ability to do as your line manager dictates no matter how much you feel the person (you are being paid to help) just needs compassion & simple support they are not getting! The ability to make mistakes & cover those up nonchantly! If those are attributes you think you have, please apply in triplicate, keeping a record, for a trainee position during which far too much responsibility will be heaped onto you, so when your contract changes without notification... OR you are asked to leave because "you care too much" you will hopefully be able to recover sufficiently Just bear in mind, before applying, it is likely you will never receive an apology for not being given the support & back-up you desperately needed to do the job efficiently... Sorry my dear, but if I were you, I would pursue a career in private practice
Answered by jillionsing

From cases over the past few years you need to be blind and deaf to the suffering of children but assured your bosses will protect you and say "Lessons have been learnt"
Answered by Tallboy

A snotty i know better than you attitude a one track mind and the willingness to harass good parents while ignoring abusers
Answered by garrettfromthecity

Not all jobs that fall under social services require you to have a social work degree. Experience is just as important unless you want to be a social worker then obviously you wil need a degree
Answered by jojitsui

Apart from the educational qualifications I think the most important one would be - a grip on reality which is sometimes lacking in Social Workers.......Best of luck to you
Answered by pussy galore

Stay away from social services its a job for interfering busybodies and turn you into a social leper
Answered by relegationlooms

a lack of common sense should do the trick
Answered by gemma v

A sociology degree won't do it for you. counclling diploma might help your application but you will probably need a DipSW (Diploma of Social Work)certificate to work in the field in the UK. EDIT: In addition and in response to a lot of the answers above, i would suggest you also have a high endurance of stress and a tolerance of beaurocracy. Sociol Workers are trained and are highly capable people who often have a bad reputation. (looks up) the truth of the fact is that it is the government legislation and beaurocracy that limits the powers of social workers to help the people that are in dire need of it. people will always resent anybody that is seen to be checking up on their family life despite them having only the most honourable of intentions. and people do not realise that for a Social worker to ensure people are safe and well, they do have to do this and follow the proceedure the government lays out for them.
Answered by isildurs_babe

sociology would be advantage
Answered by Andy H

Only a degree / diploma in social work will allow you to practice as a social worker. However for positions such as family support worker (formally known as assistant social workers) it is less about formal qualifications and more about life experience and a broad understanding of the issues around the service user group you wish to work with. For example a family support worker for a children and families team will need to have a working knowledge of why families experience crisis, what support may help children prosper within their own home, child development, assessment tools (National Assessment Framework etc) and debates around child protection. An ability to communicate and establish relationships is crucial, and to formulate and adequately explain an argument. Basic english and maths is a must but a broad range of life experience will be much better received than merely a list of qualifications. Absolutely a diploma in counselling will help but you need to argue that you could adopt much more of a partnership approach than a wholly counselling one would lead you to! And always in interview return to a client-focussed perspective. good luck!
Answered by jane M

I'm a Support Worker but with a Non-Profit company. You may like to know Social Services no longer exists and is known as something else now. I got my job because recruitment is poor. People qualities are preferred over qualifications. Now I'm doing a Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care with Sunderland Uni. Tht could get me on the way to becoming a Social Workershould I choose that route.
Answered by howaytheladlee

depends on the job you want to apply for - if you want to be a Social Worker then you will need to study the Social Work Degree. Contact your local social services office as some will take on Community Care Workers or Day Care Support Workers to assist Social Workers and support you to train. Good Luck.
Answered by Snowflake

surely it would depend on what exact job you are applying for. i doubt you need counselling diplomas to do admin work, if you get my point
Answered by knibby1

I work for social services, I have the RMN registered mental nursing. I work in mental health, and learning dissabilities. I am not really convinced the Diploma in counselling is enough. All jobs for manchester city council seem to ask for the dipsw, or cqsw, or at least an NVQ4 for even an unqualified position.
Answered by babysham

A lobotomy seem a required option.
Answered by jimmy the one

Umm yeah!
Answered by jessicacalvey

Suffer unto me my little children. A qualification of life and a conscience is what social workers need to have
Answered by STIBS

if you love life you help it along . no qualifications here just lifes experience.........
Answered by ray m

Arrogant and thick as 2 short planks
Answered by k4268133

i think as long as your willing to help the system snatch kids from family's. and sell them in a legal black market you should have no problem getting a Job with the baby snatchers. good luck.
Answered by loretta

GNVQ IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE. COUNSELLING WILL BE AN ADVANTAGE.
Answered by bunny.world

You have to be the worlds biggest busy body to cases that dont really need your help. But when someone is actually in need or even danger then you have to be able to be uncontactable under a mountain of paperwork. Oh yes and dont forget to give preferential treatment to those who aren't white and dont speak English
Answered by MICK B

You need to be blind, deaf and dumb with a degree of ignorance.
Answered by Crazy Diamond

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