Social work services in North Lanarkshire are among the best in Scotland, according to inspectors.

The Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) looked at 10 key areas. Three were rated as ‘very good’, and the other seven as ‘good’.

Inspectors said social workers were improving the lives of many of the people they were dealing with.

Leadership within the social work department was singled out for praise, as were the brilliant partnerships with the NHS and other agencies.

Inspectors also commended staff for seeking ‘highly personalised’ outcomes for people.

The inspection took place over a 6 month period last year and involved 1,500 questionnaires being sent out to staff, carers and those who use the authority’s social work services.

Executive director of housing and social work services, Mary Castles said:

‘This positive inspection report reaffirms the high priority we place on delivering essential services to the most vulnerable people in our society.’

‘SWIA singled out our ‘highly motivated staff’ who like working for this council and who had a real vision for social work services in North Lanarkshire.’

‘It is extremely pleasing that they feel supported by managers and acknowledged the opportunities available to them for professional and career development.’

Restart Resources provides assessment and front line social work resources for Childcare and Mental Health Services, for more information please click here.

Continuing from where we left on our last post, in this post you’ll find detailed information of what qualifications are required to become a social worker in the UK.

To become a social worker you will need to study for an honours degree or a postgraduate degree in social work, the course must be approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).

To get on an honours degree you will need at least five GCSEs (A-C) including English and Math and at least two A levels or equivalent such as a BTEC National Diploma or NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care.

Some colleges and universities may also grant access to students with a Higher Education qualification or relevant work experience, so it is best to check with them what qualifications are required.

When you apply for a course you’ll also need to pass a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) background check.

Honours degrees in social work are 3 year full time courses, there are some part-time and distance learning courses but you can only do these courses if you are already working in the social area and have with the support of your employer.

For the full time courses, your time will be divided between classes and supervised work placements that will train you to work with a wide range of service user groups as well as prepare you to offer a comprehensive range of experience to employers when you start work.

In case you already have a degree, you may only do a two-year postgraduate degree in social work instead of three years. After completing your honours degree or postgraduate degree you must register with the GSCC, visit their site for detailed information about how to register.

GSCC is also the commission that approves all full-time, part-time and distance learning courses in the UK, with the exception of the Northern Ireland that has its own Social Care Commission, the NISCC (Northern Ireland Social Care Community).

A social workers job is to protect, help and support people who are facing difficulties in their lives. A qualified social worker help others overcome problems and improve their lives and at the same time be prepared to work with a wide range of social services users, including:

• Children
• Older people
• People with some kind of disability, physical or mental
• Young adults
• Homeless people
• Drug addicts

Social workers tend to specialise in working with single adults or with children and families. In both cases he or she should prepared to:

• Assess and Review a service user’ situation
• Build relationships with service users
• Make decisions when necessary, common in child protection cases.
• Offer information, counselling and advocacy
• Take part in team meetings, supervision and case conferences
• Work together with other professionals, such as Health, Law and other social care professionals
• Keep an accurate record of events.
• Contact and make referrals to other agencies
• Provide evidence of court hearings

It is crucial for the social worker to have excellent communications skills, the ability to relate to people of all ages, social classes and races and gain their trust as well as have a non-judgemental attitude.

These are only a few skills required for someone that is willing to work as social worker, on our next post you will find detailed information about what qualifications and skills are required to be a qualified social worker in the UK.