• What is the difference between social work and social care work?
• What is social care?
• What kinds of careers are available in social care?
• Is there a minimum age before I can begin work in social care?
• How soon could I start?
• Do I need any qualifications before I start?
• Are there any checks I need to go through before becoming employed?

---

What is the difference between social work and social care work?

Social workers need an honours degree to practise, as they are involved at a senior level with people who use social care services. Social workers are trained to deal with complex problems and will assess an individual's needs, offer support and advice and if necessary act as an advocate to put in place a package of care. Social care workers tend to offer more personal care, and in many cases do not require any qualifications when they start work, as they are offered on-the-job training.

As social carers progress with their careers they have the opportunity to gain qualifications, such as NVQs, which allow them to take on more and more responsibility. In some cases, qualifications and experience gained as a social carer entitle people to go on and study for a social work degree.

Back to top

---

What is social care?

Social care staff work with people who, for all sorts of reasons, need support to carry out the day-to-day business of living. The key to the work is building relationships with people: winning their trust to help them take control of their lives.

Many social care workers work in residential homes or in people's own homes, working particularly with older people or with children. However there is also a huge range of other work, including work with families, with adults with disabilities or those who have social or family difficulties.

Back to top

---

What kinds of careers are available in social care?

There is a huge range of possible careers in social care. Social care workers work with all sorts of people, in a number of different settings, from children's homes to people's own homes. There are also many different types and levels of work. Sometimes the support will be physical support, as with support at home for someone discharged from hospital or it could be helping to run a support group or providing supervision to people in vulnerable situations to ensure their safety.

While you don't need any special qualifications to enter social care, staff are now usually expected to obtain a relevant qualification for the work they are undertaking. A qualifications framework has been developed for those staff who wish to make a career in social care, and work their way up through different qualifications to become a care manager or a social worker. You can also train to become a health worker or a nurse by starting in social care - it's a great place to start a very rewarding career.

Back to top

---

Is there a minimum age before I can begin work in social care?

It is possible to work in some areas of social care from the age of 16, in supervised posts. In other areas such as in a residential children's home, care workers/trainees have to be over 18 years of age. The regulatory body - the Commission for Social Care Inspection - has developed national minimum standards which are used to regulate the provision of service in several areas of social care. These national minimum standards lay down requirements in relation to the employment and supervision of young people. Details of the national minimum standards can be found on the website for the Commission at www.csci.org.uk

Back to top

---

How soon could I start?

Employers are often looking for staff to start straight away. You should also read the question about pre-employment checks as your new employer may have to obtain specific information about you before confirming your start date.

Back to top

---

Do I need any qualifications before I start?

Not necessarily. Most social care jobs do not require you to have any qualifications or training before you start. When you begin working in social care you will be given induction training which takes place in the first twelve weeks of your new job (or 24 weeks if you are working in child care), using national standards adapted to where you work.

This training will ensure that you know how to do your job properly and safely. Induction training gives you professional recognition, and then you may work towards the relevant National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).

Back to top

---

Are there any checks I need to go through before becoming employed?

Social carers work with people who are potentially vulnerable or physically frail, and so need to be of the highest calibre and integrity to do this worthwhile work. All applicants for such social care jobs must undergo pre-employment checks, which include potential employers requesting a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure and potential employees supplying references.

If you plan to work in regulated child care positions with children under the age of 18, employers will apply for a check against the Protection of Children Act (PoCA) list as part of the CRB Disclosure. Another list - the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) - works in a similar way to PoCA but will apply if you wish to work in care positions in registered care homes or domiciliary care agencies.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act will introduce a new vetting and barring scheme for those who work with children and vulnerable adults. The scheme is due for launch in autumn 2009 and will bring relevant information together in one place, and will cover those people working in health and social care services.

Further information is available on the website of the Independent Safeguarding Authority www.isa-gov.org.uk

Back to top