• 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?

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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 care workers 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 while working in social care entitle people to go on and study for a social work degree.

For more information please visit www.socialworkcareers.co.uk.

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What is social care?

People who work in social care help people who, for all sorts of reasons, need support to live their lives to the fullest. The key to social care 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. 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.

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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, for example 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, social care workers are now usually expected to obtain a relevant qualification for the work they are undertaking. A qualifications framework has been developed for those 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.

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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

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How soon could I start?

Employers are often looking for people 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.

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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).

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

Social carer workers help and support people who are in potentially vulnerable circumstances or are physically frail, and so need to be of the highest calibre and integrity. All applicants for such social care jobs must undergo pre-employment checks, which include potential employers requesting a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure at enhanced level and potential employees supplying references. From 12th October 2009, the CRB disclosure will tell an employer whether a person has been barred by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) from working with children or vulnerable adults.

From 26th July 2010, new appointments and job changers will be able to register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme, and from 1 November 2010, it will be compulsory to register. Registration means there is no known reason why a person is unsuitable to work with children or adults in vulnerable situations.

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

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