Social work and probation services
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in social and probation work.
What is Social and Probation Work?
Social care work provides services to vulnerable people in a variety of settings, supporting individuals, families and groups within the community.
Although there are over 100,000 registered social workers in the UK, there is a shortage of social workers, particularly in London and south-east England.
From 2003, professional qualifying training for social workers in England changed to a degree in social work approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with job profiles, including social worker, probation officer.
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/socprobwork
Target Jobs
How do I get into it?
Department of Health: Social Care
Includes descriptions of the different areas of social work, how to get into it, where to find courses and a comprehensive links page.
General Social Care Council
National Probation service
www.nationalprobationservice.co.uk
Social work bursary (NHS)
Look for courses at the university
http://courses.brighton.ac.uk/
Finding a job or employer in this sector
AllCareJobs
Compass Jobs Fair
COMPASS organise the leading recruitment, networking and training events in the country for the social work and social care sector.
www.compassjobsfair.com
Community Care
Is the major magazine of the Social Care sector. Its website contains a wide range of information about current issues, as well as a jobs page.
Job search
Probation Bulletin
Social Services Online
Great Social Care
Publications
Guardian Jobs
Health Service Journal
Opportunities
Professional Social Work (monthly)
Probation Quarterly
Further Information and Useful Links
British Association of Social Workers
General Social Care Council
Northern Ireland Social Care Council
Scottish Social Services Council
Social Care Association
NACRO
Nacro's vision is a safer society where everyone belongs, human rights are respected and preventing crime means tackling social exclusion and re-integrating those who offend.
www.nacro.org.uk
The Trade Union and Professional Association for Family Court and Probation Staff
National Probation Service of England and Wales
www.nationalprobationservice.co.uk
Probation Board for Northern Ireland
University of Oxford Centre for Criminology
www.crim.ox.ac.uk
Home Office
This site covers the prison, police and fire services.
www.homeoffice.gov.uk