A career in social services covers the widest range of occupations throughout the professional sector. But one thing that these jobs have in common is the kinds of skills and attributes that people need to be successful in their dealings with individuals and families who are in unfortunate and emotional circumstances. The profession therefore needs special kinds of people who can manage the trauma and distress of others.
Social Workers
One particular job is that of social worker, or social carer. Specific categories of individuals or families you will be supporting may include those with mental health problems, those suffering from family breakdown, people with drug-related problems, adopted children, asylum seekers or disabled children.
Once you are registered as a practicing social worker – in England, with the Health Care Professions Council – you are then able to pursue your career. You might work in the NHS, the voluntary sector, or within a local authority, and will work alongside the prison service, GPs, and schools and colleges.
The job of a social worker mainly involves taking responsibility for managing a number of specific cases involving individuals or families, commonly known as a ‘caseload’. This would involve you in keeping detailed records of progress with your cases, visiting those involved, organising their support by referring them to other agencies, and making recommendations about their future needs to your colleagues and managers. You are likely to be part of a local multidisciplinary team.
Other Jobs within Social Services
Within social services, what other jobs might be available? Consider the range. Clinical psychologist, care assistant, community transport driver, counsellor, probation officer, residential support worker, welfare rights officer, youth offending team officer, psychotherapist, and playworker.
A welfare rights officer would help the public about housing, employment rights, or how to manage debts. A care assistant would help people who cannot manage their normal daily activities. Youth offending team officers are employed by local authorities to support young people who have offended or likely to offend. A residential support worker would work closely with, for example, young people in care, or with adults who have particular social needs. A psychotherapist will help distressed people who are suffering from a particular problem in their lives.
Skills to Have
You can see that working in the social services requires a measure of empathy, perspective, diplomacy and tact, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills. You will need to combine the professional skills of mentor, coach, listener, motivator, leader and supervisor.
Working in the social services can mean long hours, anti-social hours, working at weekends, being called upon at short notice to deal with an emergency situation, travelling – often every day – between agencies. However, as a new entrant you may be earning the average national wage and there are many opportunities to eventually move into a co-ordination or management role.
The most significant benefit will be that of seeing individuals and families improving their emotional prospects because of the work you have done as well as the influence you have had on their lives.