Social workers are needed in the United Kingdom because of the urgent need to improve social care in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
To care for their families and loved ones back home, many foreigners are successfully moving to the UK to work as social workers. If you are considering this route, this article will help you decide whether to work as a social worker.
You must enroll in a social work diploma or degree program, or if you already have professional and academic credentials, you are good to go!
What is a Social Worker?
A qualified social worker helps communities, groups, and vulnerable individuals learn to live better. Social workers typically assist communities experiencing prejudice, poverty, or other social injustice.
Additionally, professional social workers aim to promote resilience in communities, families, and individuals while bringing about change. This career can be rewarding for people who like giving back to the community and changing society.
Responsibilities of a Social Worker
Social work combines many aspects of counseling and psychology while focusing on client case management. Take a look at what types of responsibilities you’ll have if you become a social worker in one of these main settings:
- Family and schools: Social workers who assist local families may promote the best interests of a child’s upbringing. In educational contexts, social workers collaborate with educators, learners, and families to address issues that affect kids, like bullying and learning disabilities.
- Healthcare: Critically ill patients and their families are supported by social workers in medical and public health settings, who assist them in identifying resources and medical requirements. The need for senior social work in healthcare is increasing due to the population’s rapid aging, particularly in the UK.
- Substance use disorder: In circumstances about mental health and substance use disorders, social workers help individuals obtain affordable rehabilitation and therapy. Social workers may also engage in community outreach and prevention initiatives about substance use disorders.
Steps to Relocate to the UK as a Social Worker
Register with Your Local Regulatory Board
After fulfilling the requirements, you must register with your local regulatory authority, regardless of your level of training or experience as a social worker.
Regional regulatory bodies are typically in charge of licensing and registering active social workers. They generally administer tests to determine a person’s eligibility for Professional Social Work registration.
In addition, they establish and uphold disciplinary and ethical standards for registered individuals and also take actions that the Council deems desirable or necessary to advance the interests of social workers and raise the standing and efficacy of the social work profession.
Obtain a Passport
You must have a government-issued travel document. Find out what your country’s passport requirements are. Most nations typically require a completed application form, a national ID, and a birth certificate.
Additionally, you might have to pay an application fee. You will need your passport to obtain a visa and travel to and remain in the United Kingdom.
Take Your IELTS Tests
You must take an English proficiency test, and since you are categorized as a skilled worker, you must take the academic test rather than the general one.
The test will have four parts: speaking, writing, listening, and reading. When you feel prepared, schedule an exam with the British Council in your country using the International English Language Testing System.
To prepare for the test, you must practice a lot. You will use the IELTS certificate to demonstrate your proficiency in English. Ensure you find out which band is appropriate.
Secure a Driver’s License
Preference is given to individuals with a driving license, as you must drive from one place to another.
The good news is that if you already have a driving license, you will be allowed to drive in the UK for the first year until you become eligible for the British driver’s license.
Get Your Papers Certified
Getting your academic, professional, and identification documents validated would be beneficial. These can consist of your transcripts and university certificates.
It will also be helpful to note how they want your copies certified. They want this done in a certain way. Ensure you register with Social Work England (SWE) to move to the UK and work as a social worker.
To register or apply for the SWE, you need to create an online account, and they will verify that you are a licensed social worker with your granting institution.
Afterward, you can apply to become a registered social worker and pay the registration cost using your online account. You will also use it to record CPD and renew your registration annually.
Apply for a Social Work Job Position in the UK
After registration, you must look for a UK social work job/position. You can apply to the councils yourself or through recruitment agencies.
COS
When a company or Council expresses interest in you, they will issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship, depending on your eligibility and willingness to do so.
The certificate of sponsorship is an electronic record, not a physical document with a reference number, which you’ll need for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within three months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.
Police Clearance
As an international candidate, you must get a police clearance or criminal record certificate. The right time to do this is when you have landed a job and are considering applying for a visa.
Your national police or any other organization required to carry out such duties can provide you with a police clearance. Remember that your visa application could be denied if you don’t submit an overseas criminal record certificate or there is no valid reason why you can’t.
Take a TB test
A tuberculosis test is required to obtain a visa to move to the United Kingdom and work. Staying in the UK for more than six months is mandatory.
An x-ray of your chest will be taken to check for tuberculosis. You might also be requested to submit a sputum or mucus sample from your lungs if the X-ray results are unclear.
In addition, if your test results indicate that you do not have tuberculosis, you will receive a certificate that is good for six months after the date of your X-ray. Ensure you attach this certificate to your application for a UK visa.
Apply for a Visa
A skilled worker visa application is required. Before applying, you need a confirmed job offer and up to five years left on your visa before renewal.
When your passport expires or you move jobs or employers, you must apply to extend or amend it. If you are still eligible, apply for a visa extension as frequently as possible.
After five years, you might be eligible to apply for “indefinite leave to remain,” another name for permanent residency in the UK. This allows you to apply for benefits if you qualify and to live, work, and study in the UK for as long as you wish.
Budget for Your Flight
Having received the good news that your visa application to relocate and work in the UK as a social worker was successful, you will need to fly to the UK.
That means you need to have already budgeted for your flight ticket so that you can travel when you receive your visa. You may find cheap flights depending on the time you want to travel.
Meanwhile, there are periods when flights are affordable and become expensive, so it depends on the timing.
What is the Average Salary of a Social Worker in the UK?
In general, social workers in the UK are paid relatively well. A newly qualified Social Worker can expect approximately £27,000 – £38,000 annually. With time and experience, your rate can rise to £39,000 – £50,000 annually.
These rates are for permanent positions and vary depending on the employer. Many overseas candidates arriving will be hired onto fixed-term or ongoing contract positions.
Rates vary widely according to the employer; however, a guideline is £26 to £37 per hour, depending on the position, experience, and location.
These rates are generous and will afford the average working traveler a comfortable life, extra money for traveling, and the possibility of building up some savings.
What is the Job Outlook for Social Workers?
The overall employment of social workers is set to grow 9 percent between 2021 and 2031, which is faster than average. Healthcare, substance abuse, and mental health fields will see the most significant growth due to a large aging population and a trend toward more mental health treatment programs.
Professionals with master’s degrees in social work and interested in mental health can look into becoming therapists.
Within talk therapy, there are many psychological modalities that you’d work with that require specialized training, but this can also be a fulfilling and well-paid career (depending on your location and qualifications).
Wrapping Up
Thousands of international social workers come to the United Kingdom yearly to obtain invaluable work and life experience abroad. And a lot more of you are welcome! We hope your move and employment as a social worker in the UK go well.