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Residential Social Worker Residential social workers work in residential settings such as children's homes and long or short-stay care centres. These are run by local authority social service departments (social work departments in Scotland) or by voluntary or private agencies. The work tends to involve sleeping in on a rota basis rather than living in permanently. They manage the welfare of residents by providing physical care, individual counselling, teaching and group therapy. The residents are usually from the same 'group', - children, adults or elderly people - but all will have individual physical and emotional needs. Skilled care is particularly needed with some clients who have behavioural or physical problems. Every case will be different, as will the course of action that needs to be taken for each individual. Building relationships with clients is a key element of the work, as this is how social workers can begin to help residents deal with problems and perhaps make the transition to independence. Because they work in a unit where their clients live, they often have much more in-depth contact than other types of social work. Children and young people: Children, often teenagers, who cannot be placed with foster carers, are cared for in children's homes. Some children will have suffered neglect or abuse from their families; some will have experienced repeated rejection and numerous changes of carer; some may have broken the law; and some are the subject of various court orders or, in Scotland, a supervision requirement made by a children's hearing. Some children's homes cater specifically for children with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or behavioural and emotional problems. The work involves assessing the particular needs of children, providing support over a range of issues, helping to find and settle children into family placements, and preparing young people for living independently outside of care. Residential social workers also supervise their day-to-day routine and organise recreational activities. Some residential units cater for parents and their children together, providing help to parents who have difficulties looking after their children. Social workers may also need to supervise parents as stipulated in a court order or supervision requirement, because of previous abuse or neglect. Working with adults: Many adults with mental or physical disabilities live with staff in small residential units in the community. Residential social workers help residents to claim benefits, budget their money and develop personal and social skills. They also liaise with other professionals such as GPs and psychiatric nurses, and encourage residents to take part in recreational and leisure activities, helping people who were previously institutionalised to live independently. Sometimes staff help residents move into their own home. Some units (nursing homes) are managed and supervised by trained nurses as most residents need some form of nursing care. They may also work in hostels for adults with various needs: rehabilitation or an adjustment period before returning home; ex-psychiatric patients; single parents or parents who need support raising their children; young homeless adults; or people with temporary disabilities. Other work: As well as direct work, residential social workers spend time writing reports and attending meetings and conferences. They may have some responsibility for day-to-day management, including staff and finance. Working Hours, Pay and Conditions A residential social worker can work in a variety of settings, from former homes that have been converted into residential units, to modern, purpose-built facilities with the latest specialist equipment. Most residential social workers spend some nights sleeping in, usually in self-contained apartments. Salaries for staff in local authority residential homes begin at around B#13,000, rising to B#24,000, depending on the type of home and the level of responsibility. Salaries may be lower in the private sector. For senior care workers, team leaders and unit managers, the scale starts at B#25,000. Occasionally free or subsidised accommodation is provided. Hours tend to be long and varied and allowances are paid for working unsociable hours such as weekend and evening shifts. Social workers may be expected to sleep in on a rota basis. Job sharing and part-time work may also be available. Entry Requirements Note The Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW) has recently been replaced as the statutory training body for social work. The role is now carried out by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) in England, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), the Care Council for Wales (CCW)/Cygnor Gofal Cymru (CGC) and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC). The aim of these bodies is to maintain and monitor the standards in the social care workforce. The professional qualification for social work in the UK is the Diploma of Social Work (DipSW). The minimum age to qualify is 22. Pre-entry experience is essential. Most residential social workers do not have to be professionally qualified, although many use their experience in homes and hostels as a stepping stone to getting a place on a DipSW course. Adult entry is usual- experience of life and work are greatly valued. . There is no upper age limit for entry to a DipSW programme. Entrants must show they can cope with the level of study involved, and completion of an Access course, run at local colleges full- or part-time, can help demonstrate this. The Open University also offers a route into social work training and extended part-time DipSW programmes for candidates with family commitments are also be available. It is possible for adults to discover whether they are suited to residential care work by working temporarily in a residential home or day centre. A key element of residential social work is being able to work with the same people over a long period of time, often on a daily basis. Social workers must build relationships with clients and gain their trust, before helping them with their problems. To do this they need to be patient, sympathetic and good listeners. The work can be demanding, both emotionally and physically, so the ability to detach from work is important, as is a sense of humour. Tolerance and persistence are other key skills but social workers also need the ability to establish effective control and to be firm when necessary. Residential social workers need to enjoy working in a group setting and as part of a team. They must also be able to manage people and carry out some administrative duties, which will involve some numerical skills. There are courses in Northwest Workplace related to this profession: SOCIAL / FAMILY / COMMUNITY WORK (4 courses) Opportunities As with all areas of social work, the demand for qualified residential social workers is high. Local authorities and voluntary agencies such as Barnardos are the biggest employers, although many homes for young and older people are run by the private sector. Some voluntary organisations that employ residential social workers may have strong religious or social convictions. There is some scope for self-employment, and some local authorities and private homes keep an 'on-call' list. Vacancies are advertised in Community Care, Public Service, Local Government Appointments, The Voice, The Scotsman, The Herald, The Independent and The Guardian. Promotion within residential social work is based on experience of clients and settings, and qualifications. In private residential homes, an experienced social worker may become an assistant or deputy to the manager, while local authorities have a more formal promotional structure with opportunities to move into management. There is an option to move into other fields of social work but this will depend on experience and qualifications - there are also opportunities for specialisation. Transfer from the public to the private sector is common, although the reverse is less likely. There are vacancies in Northwest Workplace related to this profession: (1 job) Further Information Affinity (City & Guilds), 1 Giltspur Street, London EC1 9DD 020 7294 8007 British Association of Social Workers, 16 Kent Street, Birmingham B5 6RD 0121 622 3911 Web site: www.basw.co.uk Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work England: CCETSW Information Service, 4th Floor, Caledonian House, 223-231 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NG 020 7278 2455 Web site: www.ccetsw.org.uk Scotland: c/o Scottish Executive, James Craig Walk, Edinburgh EH1 3BA 0131 244 1949 Wales: 2nd Floor, West Wing, South Gate House, Wood Street, Cardiff CF1 1EW 029 2022 6257 Northern Ireland: 6 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 5BN 028 9066 5390 Training Organisation for Personal Social Services (TOPSS), c/o CCETSW, Derbyshire House, St Chads Street, London WC1H 8AD 020 7520 3530 Web site: www.topss.org.uk CCETSW/TOPSS Wales/Cymru: 029 2022 6257 CCETSW/TOPSS Northern Ireland: 028 9066 5390 CCETSW/TOPSS Scotland, c/o Scottish Executive, James Craig Walk, Edinburgh EH1 3BA 0131 220 0093 TOPSS England, 26, Park Row, Leeds LS1 5QB 0113 245 1716 London Voluntary Service Council, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA 020 7700 8107 National Association for Voluntary Hostels, Fulham Place, Bishops Avenue, London SW6 6EA 020 7731 4205 National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Regents Wharf, 8 All Saints Street, London N1 9RL 020 7713 6161 National Institute for Social Work, Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SN 020 7387 9681 Web site: www.nisw.org.uk Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, 18-19 Claremont Crescent, Edinburgh EH7 4QD 0131 556 3882 Web site: www.scvo.org.uk Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Hanover House, 24 Douglas Street, Glasgow G2 7NQ 0141 248 7900 Web site: www.sqa.org.uk Social Care Association (SCA), Thornton House, Hook Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 5AN 0208 397 1411 Web site: www.socialcareassoc.com Social Work Admissions System (SWAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham GL52 3LZ 01242 544600 For a handbook or application pack: 01242 223707 or web site: www.ucas.com/packs Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Llys Ifor, Crescent Road, Caerphilly, Mid-Glamorgan CF8 1XL 029 20869224 Relevant Labour Market Information NMW and age discrimination ? Caution urged on NMW increase ! Fat cat salaries and the baverage wageb Tough time for SMEs Flexibility Plants at Work Improve Health

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