There are three main routes to become a qualified social worker, and to gain your Social Work England recognised degree. If the degree route isn’t for you, there are still many roles and career paths available within the children’s social work space that you can pursue without a formal qualification.
To find out more about the individual opportunities that our authorities can offer to start your career in children’s social work, take a look at our authority pages.
The most common route into social work is through gaining a recognised undergraduate Social Work degree from university. Entry requirements will differ, but most will require around 2 A-levels, plus 5 GCSEs, including English and Maths, at grade C or above.
If you already have a degree qualification in another field of study or that is unrelated to social work, another route to starting your career in children’s social work is to complete a fast-track postgraduate course, such as the Step up to Social Work programme.
Many of our 11 authorities offer Apprenticeship schemes which allow you to gain your degree whilst gaining practical, on the job experience. Whilst working, you’ll have dedicated time for your studies as part of a structured programme to gain your formal qualifications – all the while earning a salary for the work you do.
Once you’ve gained your degree and become a newly qualified Social Worker, many of our authorities host Your Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programmes to further develop your skills, knowledge and professional confidence.
