You need a Level 6 qualification to work as a Social Worker.
Pay range: National Careers Service.
Live listings typically advertise £37.50 to £38 an hour. See the full Social Worker salary guide.
Your route in
Qualification REQUIRED to practise (regulated) - minimum L6
Starting from scratch
Entry-level courses that feed this route.
- BTEC National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care (Level 3) L3276 courses
- BTEC National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care (Level 3) L3119 courses
- Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care L342 courses
- A Level Sociology L320 courses
- Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care L314 courses
The qualification you need (Level 6)
Below this level you cannot practise; these get you there.
Where this can take you
During your first year as a social worker, your employer is likely to offer you professional development, like the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). This includes extra support such as: regular supervision, a tailored caseload and training time to complete professional development tasks. With experience you could: become a senior practitioner, mentoring new staff and dealing with complex cases, become a practice supervisor or service manager, supporting a team of social workers, specialise in a particular area, such as substance abuse, mental health or child protection and move into research, teaching, consultancy and policy development. Explore roles in child and family social work to find out more about career progression options.