Residential Social Worker
Further Information

What is the work like?
Residential social workers are responsible for the well-being of residents living within a unit or centre. These may be adults or children, and many will have physical or learning disabilities, mental health problems, or be emotionally vulnerable.
A central part of the job is to develop and implement care plans for each person. This is done with the residents themselves, as well as their families and other professionals. By providing counselling, teaching, therapy and physical care, the aim is to help residents become as independent as possible.
A social worker may also become a key worker for several individuals and will need to build strong relationships with them.
They probably work with one of three main groups of people, each requiring specific skills:

Older people
• A key role is to make sure people are treated with dignity and that the residential home is as safe, comfortable and cheerful as possible.
• Adults
• As well as helping residents with daily living skills such as shopping and claiming benefits, they also help them to develop social skills and take part in activities.

Young people

• Building relationship and trust is a key part of working with young people, as many will previously have had bad experiences of adults.
• Other tasks may include:
• recruiting and training other members of staff and foster parents
• accompanying residents on trips and holidays
• keeping accurate records about daily life at the unit
• attending meetings and writing reports
• developing links with local communities so that residents can take part in local events.

Social workers work closely with doctors, psychologists, teachers, nurses, probation officers and outside agencies.
Starting salaries are around £13,000 a year.

Hours and environment

Social workers tend to work a 35 to 40-hour week, with unsociable hours, including shifts and rotas for weekend and evening work. They may also be on call in case of emergencies.
They are normally based in a children's home, hostel or adult or youth centre. They are more likely to sleep in rather than being a permanent resident.
Part time work may be available.

Salary and other benefits
These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

• New or probationary residential social workers earn up to £13,000 a year.
• Qualified residential social workers earn between £18,000 and £25,000.
• Senior residential social workers may earn over £25,000.

Skills and personal qualities

Residential social workers need:

• to be capable of befriending a wide range of people from different backgrounds
• to be mature enough to help people cope with painful situations and decisions
• to be sensitive and compassionate
• to be patient and tolerant
• good communication skills
• understanding of relevant law
• to be self-motivated and able to motivate others
• to be able to liaise and negotiate with other agencies
• to be able to maintain confidentiality
• organisational skills
• to be able to cope with demanding and stressful situations.

Getting in

Residential social work is a growth area. The main employers are local authorities and, increasingly, the private sector, voluntary agencies, and specialist employment agencies.
Qualified social workers are very much in demand, and jobs are available in most areas of the UK. Self-employment and freelance work is sometimes possible.

Entry for young people

People can enter residential social work with relevant experience, such as voluntary or paid work with children. But to have a career in residential social work they must qualify.
Social workers used to need a Diploma in Social Work (DipSW). This is being replaced by a new three-year degree in social work. Like the DipSW, the degree is a combination of academic learning and practical work experience and can be studied full time, part time and by distance learning.
For some posts (eg care officers), NVQs at Level 2 or 3 in appropriate subjects may be required, rather than the diploma or degree.
Entry requirements are for usually two A levels/three H grades, and five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), or equivalent qualifications. Law, sociology or psychology may be useful.
For the DipSW, people under 21 must have two A levels/three H grades, and three GCSEs/five S grades (A-C/1-3), or equivalent qualifications. People over 21 might not need formal academic qualifications.
People who have been convicted of a crime may not be able to become a social worker.

Entry for adults

It is quite common for older people to retrain as social workers. In fact, experience of life and work is greatly valued.
There is no upper age limit for entry to a degree or a DipSW programme. There are Access courses specifically for social work or for social sciences or humanities.
The Open University offers a qualification route for social work training in partnership with employers.

Training

Social work training is provided jointly by colleges and universities and social care employers. Most programmes offer general training and the opportunity to practise in a particular area - such as working with children.
Full-time and part-time students spend at least 200 days on placement under supervision, and students are assessed throughout the course.

Getting on

Depending on experience and qualifications individuals may progress in their career.
There are post-qualifying awards to help individuals improve their skills and career opportunities.

Related jobs

Adult Nurse
Care Worker
Children’s Nurse
Connexions Personal Adviser
Education Welfare Officer
Mental Health Nurse
School Matron
Social Worker

Further information

City & Guilds, 1 Giltspur Street, London EC1 9DD. 020 7294 2800. Website: www.city-and-guilds.co.uk
British Association of Social Workers, 16 Kent Street, Birmingham B5 6RD. 0121 622 3911. Website: www.basw.co.uk
The Care Council for Wales (CCW)/Cyngor Gofal Cymru (CGC), 6th Floor West Wing, South Gate House, Wood Street, Cardiff CF10 1EW. 029 2022 6257. Website: www.ccwales.org.uk
Department of Health recruitment campaign. 0845 604 6404. Website: www.socialworkcareers.co.uk
General Social Care Council, Goldings House, 2 Hays Lane, London SE1 2HB. 020 7397 5800. Website: www.gscc.org.uk
National Association of Social Workers in Education (NASWE), c/o National Children's Bureau, Pupil Inclusion Unit, 8 Wakley Street, London EC1V 7QE. 020 7843 6000. E-mail: jnewvell@ncb.org.uk
National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL. 020 7713 6161. Website: www.ncvo-vol.org.uk
Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Seventh Floor, Millennium House, Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7AQ. 028 9041 7600. Website: www.niscc.info
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, The Mansfield, Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB. 0131 556 3882. Website: www.scvo.org.uk
Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Compass House, 11 Riverside Drive, Dundee DD1 4NY. 0845 603 0891. Website: www.sssc.uk.com
Social Care Association (SCA), Thornton House, Hook Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 5AN. 0208 397 1411. Website: www.socialcaring.co.uk
Social Care Institute for Excellence, First Floor, Goldings House, 2 Hays Lane, London SE1 2HB. 0207 089 6840. Website: www.scie.org.uk
Social Work Admissions System (SWAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3LZ. 01242 222444. Website: www.ucas.com
TOPSS England, Hanover House, 61-64 Dudley Road, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton WV2 3BY. 01902 877920. Website: www.topss.org.uk.
Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Baltic House, Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 5FH. 02920 431700. Website: www.wcva.org.uk

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Residential Social Worker Further Information

Residential Social Worker
Further Information