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Social care qualification FAQ

What qualifications do I need to become a social worker?

In order to become a social worker a professional qualification is required. In September 2003 the three-year degree level qualification in social work replaced the two-year diploma (DipSW) in England. The DipSW will be phased out during 2003/04. There will be opportunities to study the degree full-time and part-time. Graduate entrants and mature students with relevant work experience may be able to complete the course in a shorter timescale.

The degree includes 200 days of practice learning. This will ensure students have the practical skills required of them before they enter the workplace.

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What are the entry requirements for the degree?

The requirements for social work training state that universities should ensure all applicants have Key Skills level 2 in English and mathematics. This would normally be equivalent to grade ‘C’ at GCSE level.

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Will I receive any financial aid during my studies?

People interested in pursuing a degree in social work are entitled to a bursary of up to £2,900 per year as well as payment of tuition fees and £500 placement costs. The non means tested bursary is available to anyone taking a course which leads to a social work qualification. You must ordinarily be resident in England and not funded by your employer.

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What qualifications do I need to become a social care worker?

You may not require any qualifications or training to start a job in social care. However, social care workers will be given initial education training during the first six weeks of employment followed by foundation training, which helps extend skills and experience. Following this, social care workers can work towards the relevant National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), which has now become part of a qualifications framework for staff who wish to make a career in social care.

Social care employees are increasingly expected to obtain a relevant qualification for the work they are undertaking.

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What is an NVQ?

  • NVQs are nationally recognised qualifications that are assessed against National Occupational Standards
  • National Occupational Standards, or units of competence, describe best practice by bringing together skills, knowledge and values
  • NVQs are made up of a number of units of competence, the full NVQ is gained by achieving a set number of units from a range of choices
  • Care NVQs are assessed in the workplace by gathering evidence of the candidate’s competence so there are no exams. NVQs are set at different levels depending on skills and responsibility
  • NVQs are an assessment system not a training course, so people will need to learn to be competent prior to assessment. The learning can be of what ever type suits so work based learning, open learning, E learning (using a computer) as well as college based programmes can be used
  • Assessment of an NVQ is managed by ‘Assessment Centres’ who appoint assessors. Assessors can be your manager or a person who works out an assessment plan and visits you at work. Your manager may be able to tell you about how to organise training and assessment. If not, contact your local Learning and Skills Council and ask for their assistance.
  • An NVQ in care is open to anybody working as a social care worker (whether full-time or part-time, paid or voluntary)
  • NVQs relevant for posts in social care include:
    • NVQs in Care at levels 2, 3 and 4
    • NVQs in Caring for Children and Young People at level 3
    • NVQs in Promoting Independence at level 3
    • NVQs are also available in Housing, Early Years Care and Education, Community Justice and Community Work
  • NVQs are flexible; there is no condition that a candidate needs to complete all the parts of an NVQ within a set period
  • Assessment for a full NVQ can take between 9 and 24 months, though the national average is around 12 months

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Will I receive any financial aid during my NVQ studies?

Funding for the completion of NVQs is available through the Learning and Skills Councils.

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How does the social work bursary work?

Financial help is available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students who are studying for a social work qualification at a course that has been approved by the General Social Care Council and are not supported through training by an employer.

Financial help is available through two bursary schemes operated by the General Social Care Council: one is non-means tested for both undergraduates and postgraduates, and the second is an additional means-tested bursary for postgraduates only. The following information relates to the non-means tested bursary.

Whilst the General Social Care Council busary is not “means-tested”, different rates will apply depending on where the student lives. The bursary also includes an additional £500 to cover the cost of travelling to ANY work placements as part of the course. The General Social Care Council will also pay the university or college the full amount of any tuition fees not covered by the student’s local authority.

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Who can I contact for further information about social workers?

Further information about the degree course, applications and financial support can be found at www.socialworkcareers.co.uk or by calling social work and care careers on 0845 604 6404.

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Who can I contact for further information about social care workers?

Up to date information regarding registration fees and details of the range of awards available can be found via respective awarding bodies. The main awarding bodies are:

The National Occupational Standards that make up the NVQs can be found on www.topssengland.net

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What are the criteria for receiving a bursary?

  • You must be entering or already studying a degree in social work which has been approved by the General Social Care Council and it must be your first social work qualification
  • You must have first applied to your local education authority for financial support and they will have sent an ‘Assessment of Eligibility for Financial Support for Higher Education’ letter to the GSCC, confirming you are eligible to apply for a student loan and tuition fees
  • You are not supported through training by your employer
  • You normally live in England
  • You meet eligibility criteria for accessing public funds under the Education (Student Support) (No. 2) Regulations 2002. See www.gscc.org.uk/Home/ for more details

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What are the rates?

Student studying in London £2,900 grant

+ £500 for travel to work experience

+ tuition fees

Student studying outside London £2,500 grant

+ £500 for travel to work experience

+ tuition fees

Student living with their parents or parents-in-law (whether living in or outside London £2,100 grant

+ £500 for travel to work experience

+ tuition fees

Part-time students A percentage of the applicable grant as above

+ £500 for travel to work experience

+ tuition fees, paid proportionally over the course of your study

For information on postgraduate means tested bursaries call the General Social Care Council on 020 7397 5835 or email postgraduate-bursaries@gscc.org.uk

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