The Highland Council is keen to encourage people with an interest in Social Work to learn more about the Social Work Service and how they might train to become a Social Worker.
The minimum qualification to become a Social Worker is an Honours Degree in social work and various universities across Scotland offer courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen and the The Open University also offer the opportunity to study via distance learning. Courses will generally look for practical experience and aptitude as well as applicants’ academic qualifications. Anyone in Scotland who is studying to become a Social Worker must also be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). The Council is often able to offer students practice learning opportunities in Highland. These are negotaited directly with the universities. However, it is not possible for the Council to provide financial assistance to self-funding students.
What are the requirements for entry to Social Work training?
Universities generally recruit to social work courses through UCAS and the admissions criteria for courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels are clearly advertised on the university websites. The BA (Hons) course is demanding, particularly for those who are in full-time employment.
• Practice requirements - all applicants must be able to demonstrate at least one year of significant and relevant practice experience. This may be in the form of paid or unpaid work.
• Suitability for registration - in addition, you need to demonstrate that you are eligible to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the body which regulates the social service workforce.
Before making an application to study Social Work, you are strongly urged to check that already have or are working towards the correct qualifications for admission. You should contact the Admissions Tutor for the university where you are hoping to study.
If you are not interested in or do not meet the criteria for training to be a Social Worker
There is a range of options that are open to you to enable you to further your study and gain experience of the social service field:
Paid employment – there is a wide range of posts in the social services in the statutory, voluntary and private sector that do not require an Honours Degree in Social Work. These include jobs working with younger and older adults, children and families and offenders in residential, support and day care settings. It is often possible to work towards a recognised qualification (for example, a Scottish Vocation Qualification – SVQ) whilst you are in employment. Job vacancies with the Council are regularly advertised on its website and the local press carries advertsiements of vacancies in the other sectors.
Voluntary work – applicants for Social work training need to demonstrate that they have relevant experience. This may be gained through paid or unpaid employment or through volunteering. Information about volunteering locally can be accessed at Volunteering Highland.
Further and Higher Education – local colleges can advise on study opportunities that may assist you to build up a qualifications portfolio in preparation for study at undergraduate level.
Last updated: October 2010