In the Highland Council, we are keen to encourage people with an interest in Social Work to learn more about the service and how they might train to become a Social Worker.
In 2005, the Highland Council Social Work Service won a national COSLA Award for its in-house Social Work Trainee Scheme. We aim to recruit to the Scheme each year and advertise on the Council website as well as in the local press throughout Highland.
****We shall be recruiting for our 2008 trainees in October/November, so keep a look out for our recruitment campaign*****
There has always been a great deal of interest and competition for places on our Scheme.
What is the Social Work Trainee Scheme?
Our Scheme enables suitably qualified and experienced people to become Trainee Social Workers in a post in one of our teams. The number, type and location of these posts vary from year to year. Applications are invited from external candidates as well as people already working with us in the Council.
Whilst employed as Trainee Social Workers, we support our staff to complete the BA (Hons) in Social Work by Distance Learning at the Robert Gordon University. It normally takes 42 months to complete the course. However, if you already have a relevant degree and experience it may be possible, through submission of a portfolio of evidence, to achieve entry to Year 3 and qualify as a Social Worker in 24 months.
What are the requirements for entry to Social Work training?
The BA (Hons) course is demanding, especially for our Trainee Social Workers who are in full-time employment. As a result, we are looking for individuals with a proven academic record, who are mature, enthusiastic and resilient with relevant practical experience.
- Academic requirements - we interview applicants jointly with our academic partners at RGU. In terms of academic achievement, you need to demonstrate the minimum of the equivalent of 120 academic credits at Scottish Degree Level 1/SCQF 7. These credits can be obtained through a variety of academic courses such as an HNC, 2 x 60-credit Open University modules or one year of a degree course.
If you are unsure whether you have the necessary academic qualifications, you should contact Neil Munro, RGU Admissions Tutor at n.munro@rgu.ac.uk or on (01224) 263214. You can also find out more about the range of study options at RGU by looking at RGU: Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses.
- 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, the body which regulates the social service workforce.
If you are not interested in or do not meet the criteria for joining the Trainee Social Worker Scheme…….
there are still options for you
- University study - if you do not meet the criteria for becoming one of the Council’s Trainee Social Workers, you might still be able to apply to a university to study for a social work degree. Both RGU and the Open University offer study through distance learning.
- Employment – there are a wide range of posts in the statutory and voluntary sector that do not require you to have a Social Work qualification. These include jobs working with young 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.
To learn about opportunities to work with the Social Work Service, look on the Highland Council website and in the recruitment section in the local and national press.
Last updated: August 2008