Opportunities for Qualified and Experienced Social Workers in the UK have never been better. Whilst British Social Workers are snapped up quickly, there is still a large gap in the market place that desperately needs to be filled.

The industry is getting a lot of positive attention as it grows to become more regulated, more effective and more highly regarded. The UK is in great need of qualified individuals with great work ethics, energy and a positive attitude.

While the employer of most Social Workers in the UK is the government, vacancies also exist within the Private Sector. Local Government in England consists of County Councils  which are located outside of London. London is divided up into ‘Borough Councils’ of which there are 33. Each Local Authority has it`s own budget and control their own staffing.

Duties of a Social Worker would include managing a caseload of between 15 and 30. You will generally work within a multi agency team which would include working closely with various other organisations such as the police, schools, hospitals, and other professionals.  Adherence to all Local Policies and Procedures is imperative as well as working within the legislative acts, frameworks, guidelines, policies and procedures of the Country. Duties would normally include a fair amount of assessments, report writing, planning and reviewing , and attending various meetings and supervision. Equal opportunities and non discrimination practise is high on the agenda.

Social Work in the UK is generally divided into specific Teams in order to provide more specialised  services to clients. Whilst most Social Workers abroad do Generic Social work, the majority of Local Authorities have divided teams for Children & Families and Adults & Elder Persons. These include the following CLIENT GROUPS:

Children and Family  Services                                                        
Emergency Duty / Initial Response
Referral and Assessment
Child Protection
Family Support
Locality / Safeguarding Children
Children in Need
Children Looked After
Leaving Care
Supported living
Adoption
Fostering
Children’ s Disabilities
Intensive Prevention
Youth Offending
Hospital Social Work
Residential Social Work
Adolescents
Commissioning and Reviewing
Unaccompanied Minors
Community Mental Health

Adults and Elderly
Assessment
Community Rehabilitation
Community Mental Health
Care Management
Physical Disabilities
Sensory Impairments
Adults and Older Persons
Integrated living

Other
Substance Misuse / Drug and Alcohol
Asylum Seekers
HIV Care management

RELEVANT LEGISLATION ACTS:
(also see “Useful Links”)

National Assistance Act 1948
Family Law Act 1996
Children Act 1989
Children (Leaving Care ) Act 2000
Adoption and Children Act 2000
Children Act 2004

NHS and Community Care Act 1990
Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995
Care Standards Act 2000
Carers (Equal opportunities) Act 2004
Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000
Disabilities Discrimination Act 1995
Disabilities Discrimination Act 2005

Crime and Disorder Act 1998
Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003
Sexual Offences Act 2003

Mental Health Act 1983
Mental Health (Patients in the Community) Act 1995
Mental Capacity Act 2005