Social Work

[vandy]

Hi All
I am planning to study further and after much thinking I have decided that I want to have a career with DOCS or some NPO as caseworker.
I have a few questions ad would love to hear from others who are already studying 'Social Work' course or works as a caseworker or are engaged in Social work.

1) What made you choose social work as your career
My Ans : I really feel that I want to give something back to the society. I feel that every child is special and they should all be blessed with a happy childhood.

2) In which area do you work (Child/aged/..?)

3 ) What are you studying (masters, bachelor or diploma) and From where are you studying ?

4) Any other guidance how can I start working on it. I am based in Sydney and would like to do some full time or part time course.

Look forward to all the replies
Much Appreciated

[GeorgiaAnne]

I studied Social work at Sydney uni and it was good - though i'm not practising in that field now. I studied straight from school which i'm not sure is the best idea - I do think people with a bit more "life experience" are better at the job. I did some work with DOCS and found everyone I met to be really committed and great - though the pressure is intense and you are overworked due to huge caseloads.
The most important thing IMO is wanting to be an advocate to help people through the outrageous beaurocracy our govts have created. EG: I worked mainly in the area of disability and to actually be able to find services, let alone engage these services is really hard, especially for people from NESB. Anyway, enough blah blah from me. Good luck with your studies :)

[sockstealingpoltergeist]

1) What made you choose social work as your career
My Ans : I really feel that I want to give something back to the society. I feel that every child is special and they should all be blessed with a happy childhood.

First I started in a scoiology degree, which I loved and learn't so much, but wasn't sure where it was headed.

Then I found human services (much like social work, except 1 yr less) involved a lot that i had learnt in sociology and was at the core of my belief system, so I studied human services.

Then I defferred to have my baby, then I was offered social work, so I took it up, as i just had to do one extra year to get my bachelor.

I love it as I really feel I have the tools and knowledge to make a difference and I'd like to do advocacy work.

2) In which area do you work (Child/aged/..?)

I would like to work with children and families.

3 ) What are you studying (masters, bachelor or diploma) and From where are you studying ?

Bachelor and am considering doing my masters when I finish at ome stage.:dizzy:

4) Any other guidance how can I start working on it. I am based in Sydney and would like to do some full time or part time course.

I would contact the universities that offer the courses you are interested in. They will have some adult entry info for you.:flowerz:

[JasmineLouise]

Im not studying social work but a majority of my subjects are social work related so i thought i might pop in my 2 cents...

1) What made you choose social work as your career
My Ans :I started of in nursing i really enjoyed the psych and sociology components of the course. I finished my prac and decided nursing wasn't for me. I applied for the double degree in Social Sciences and Psychological sciences majoring in human services. I like working with people and quite an interesting upbringing. I wanted to turn my negative experiences into something positive.

2) In which area do you work; im still at uni... until then i practice on those around me :p

3 ) What are you studying (masters, bachelor or diploma) and From where are you studying ? bachelor, internal full time, SA.

4) Any other guidance how can I start working on it. I would start by having a look at the universities you may be interested in applying to. Most websites have a search function that allow you to search individual degrees, subjets etc..

Good luck... if you have any more questions feel free to ask :)

[Pippi Longstocking]

1) What made you choose social work as your career
A strong belief in social justice and human rights. A career in social work will allow me to work with disadvantaged people.

2) In which area do you work (Child/aged/..?)
I'm still at uni but will be working with either Indigenous Australians or women-centred practice. Or both. Feminist practice is important to me, due to the political and economic power inequity between the genders.

3 ) What are you studying (masters, bachelor or diploma) and From where are you studying ?
Bachelor Soc. Work, currently 3rd year. Studying externally through James Cook Uni.

4) Any other guidance how can I start working on it. I am based in Sydney and would like to do some full time or part time course.

It may be helpful to volunteer at an HSO for a little while to see what the job entails. Definitely contact a few universities and see what they offer.

I think social work is the sort of job that you have to do for the love of it. Most social work positions are way under-funded, overworked and under valued. Knowing that before you get in is important, IMO. It won't be easy, it will be stressful and you won't get the fiscal rewards and acknowledgement you deserve. :no:

[zenifa]

I have a few questions ad would love to hear from others who are already studying 'Social Work' course or works as a caseworker or are engaged in Social work.

1) What made you choose social work as your career
My Ans : I really feel that I want to give something back to the society. I feel that every child is special and they should all be blessed with a happy childhood.

When I was at uni, I found that I wanted to work with people and that social work values and ethics resonated with me and provided me with a framework to help people and supported my views on the right to self determination, social justice and human rights.


2) In which area do you work (Child/aged/..?)
I have worked in the field of Psychology and Social Work for 10yrs, here in Australia and the UK - so I've done a variety of jobs, both in govt, non-govt and private practice. I have worked with lots of client groups - children, families, couples, and groups mostly in health or community settings. Some of my main areas of interest are health (renal, oncology, maternity), mental health, refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, grief and loss including palliative and coronial counselling. I also do supervision of social workers, plus supervise students on placement so there is a lot of variety in the field - not just direct work with clients but also policy work too.
I have worked a lot with children but not in direct child protection (although my DH has) and it is very challenging - high caseloads, limited resources, limited support, so the burnout rate is high.

3 ) What are you studying (masters, bachelor or diploma) and From where are you studying ?
I initially studied Psychology at UQ (via a Bachelor of Arts, double major in Psych) and then after a little bit of time in the field, came back to uni to study Bach of Soc Work at UQ, graduate entry, so it was only 2yrs fulltime (with 2 placements).

4) Any other guidance how can I start working on it. I am based in Sydney and would like to do some full time or part time course.
Its worth finding out which universities in Sydney offer the Bach of Social Work course (you can find out via Aust Assoc of Social Workers) and look at your options. Even with part time courses, you will need to be full time to do your placements/practicum. My advice would be go for Social Work courses over Human Services, Behavioural Sciences etc.

You can start to get experience in the field by working voluntary or part time, as there are unqualified jobs that can give you experience and help you decide if this is really want you want to do - sometimes the idea and the reality can be vastly different.

Social Work is a job or vocation that is driven by people that are passionate about people and issues, and it can be a very challenging area to work in. Not because of the type of cases you encounter but often having to negotiate systemic, beaurocratic and organisational obstactles to advocate for your client and meet their multiple complex needs. Its not a job that is often valued in society (& is always criticised) and the pay is usually quite poor, hours can be long but it is very rewarding in many ways.

If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me.

[wildoats]

1) What made you choose social work as your career
My Ans : I really feel that I want to give something back to the society. I feel that every child is special and they should all be blessed with a happy childhood.

I love to help people in need. Like you I would like to give back to the community.

2) In which area do you work (Child/aged/..?)

I'm studying and haven't actually worked in this area before. However, work experience is just around the corner. Wish me luck! :fingerscrossed:

3 ) What are you studying (masters, bachelor or diploma) and From where are you studying ?

I'm studying my diploma of "Social Science" through Cengage Education and then I will be doing my Bachelor through ACAP (Australian College of Applied Psychology)

4) Any other guidance how can I start working on it. I am based in Sydney and would like to do some full time or part time course.

I'm currently doing my Diploma externally through Cengage. You choose part or full time work. The course is "Diploma of Applied Social Science". This is similar to social work but focuses greatly on counselling and communication. There are 24 modules and they allow 4 years to complete it. I'm currently thinking of taking some time off. I've just had a baby and I'm not coping (see my thread). However, Cengage do not allow you defer for any time. This is sort of Ok as I have completed over half of my course and I have 2 1/2 years left to study the remaining modules. But it does make me nervous as the course is very expensive ($9000). And if I don't complete it in time no diploma...

I hope to then go on my Bachelor through ACAP - only three more modules are required. Plus work experience.

Cengage are based in Sydney. Study material are brought to your door as soon as a module is completed. You need to be focused because you have no one really to "get your but into gear" so to speak. You control your study. I think personally face to face interation with tutors would be ideal I feel I miss a lot without this interaction.

Hope that helps. :fingerscrossed: Goodluck.