Social care jobs FAQ

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

Social workers have to attain the degree in social work. They will be involved at a high level with users, working with them to assess their care requirements and working alongside other professionals such as doctors to make sure that every user receives the particular type of support that he or she needs.

Social care workers tend to offer more personal care. Often they will be involved in supporting one user or a few users in the tasks of everyday living. They often do not need any qualifications when they begin the work but they will usually be expected to work towards a qualification as they work and they will receive training through their employers to this end.

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 processes 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, or work with adults, who may be physically disabled or have social or family difficulties.

What kind 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. In the past, social care workers have not required specific qualifications. However, staff are now usually expected to obtain a relevant qualification for the work that they are undertaking and a qualifications framework is being 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.

Do I need any qualifications before I start?

No. 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 during the first 6 weeks of your employment to ensure that you know how to do your job properly and safely. This should be followed by foundation training, which will extend your skills and experience and you may then work towards the relevant National Vocational Qualification (NVQ).

What are National Vocational Qualifications?

A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), or a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Scotland, is a work based qualification recognised throughout the UK. NVQs are evidence that you are competent in the work that you do. They are set at different levels dependent on the level of skills and responsibility. You don't have to take exams; a trained assessor will join you at work to assess your abilities in various areas

What would they do for me?

NVQs show that you are competent at doing your job. As with all qualifications, there is no guarantee that NVQs will get you the job, but they will show prospective employers what skills and knowledge you have and what you can do. You will also know that your skills have been recognised and rewarded.

Are they open to anybody?

An NVQ in care is open to anybody working as a social care worker (whether full-time, part-time - paid or voluntary). Someone will assess you while you're working. This means that although you don't have to be in full-time work, you will have to arrange to be assessed in a work situation

What NVQs are most relevant for posts in social care?

NVQs in Care at levels 2, 3 and 4
NVQs in Caring for Children and Young People at level 3
NVQs in Promoting Independence at level 3
NVQs are also available in Housing, Early Years Care and Education, Community Justice, and Community Work

How long will it take?

NVQs are flexible, there is no condition that a candidate need complete all of the parts of an NVQ within a set period. Experience shows that assessment for a full NVQ can take between 9 and 24 months, though the national average is around 12 months

How much will it cost?

For up to date information regarding registration fees and details of the range of awards available contact the awarding body you intend to use.

Your employer should have a scheme for staff training and development and you should discuss the question of undertaking NVQs with them. Funding for the completion of NVQs is also available through the learning and skills councils.

What is the pay like?

Your pay will depend on what work you are doing, who you are working for, and whereabouts in the country you are working. The average is that most care workers would start on about five or six pounds an hour, but your employer may be offering incentive schemes or special benefits to social care staff. Ask about this when you apply for the job.

Would I be able to work flexible hours?

Many jobs in social care - particularly residential care - need people who can work flexible hours. You would need to check with your employer, but it should be possible for you to work part time, or work particular times, to fit with your own commitments. Ask about this when you apply for a job.

What other benefits are there?

Individual employers may offer a range of benefits, from 'golden hellos' for new recruits to pension schemes - for example, if you are working for social services you could be eligible for the Local Government Pension Scheme. Contact individual employers for details.

If I work in residential care, is accommodation provided?

It used to be common for staff to live onsite, but it is now much less frequent. However, in some parts of the country employers are starting to reintroduce accommodation for staff. This is particularly common in places where accommodation is expensive. Ask individual employers when you are applying for jobs.

Am I subject to any pre-employment checks?

As part of pre-employment checks potential applicants are checked with the Criminal Records Bureau. As part of this providers of care will also be able to request a check against the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) list to see if individuals they propose to employ in care positions have harmed vulnerable adults in the course of previous care work. If such individuals are on the list they may not be offered employment. The POVA list is not yet implemented, although the Department of Health plans to consult on, and implement, it at the earliest opportunity.

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 workers/trainees have to be over 18 years of age. The new regulatory body - the National Care Standards Commission - is presently developing national minimum standards which will be used to regulate service provision 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 National Care Standards Commission at www.doh.gov.uk

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

Social care workers work with people who are potentially vulnerable or physically frail and therefore need to be of the highest calibre and integrity to do this worthwhile work. All applicants for such social care jobs must therefore undergo pre-employment checks, which include requesting a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure and the taking up of references. For those planning 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) list - is also planned, which will work in a similar way to PoCA but will apply to applicants wishing to work in care positions in registered care homes or domiciliary care agencies.

Individuals with 'social worker' in their job title, or those roles which require a social work qualification or involves work normally only undertaken by social workers, have to registered with the GSCC or one of the other three care councils in the UK after the 1 st April 2005.

By registering, social workers will demonstrate their professional standards and abilities and that they are committed to high standards of conduct, practice and accountability. All social workers, the public and the people who use services will know the standards they should meet. One of the aims of registration is to improve public trust in social care. To find out more information on GSCC contact the registration helpline on Telephone 0845 070 0630, or Email - registration@gscc.org.uk

What are the main Awarding Bodies?

City & Guilds Affinity – Telephone: 020 7294 8007 or visit their website at www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
CACHE – Telephone: 01727 849636 or visit their website at www.cache.org.uk
Edexel – Telephone: 020 7393 4500 or visit their website at www.edexcel.org.uk
SQA – Telephone: 0141 248 7900 or visit their website at www.sqa.org.uk