Moving from Australia to the UK as a social worker

When I moved to the UK as a social worker, I had no idea what to expect. I planned my move as best I could. I read everything I could find to help prepare me. But when I landed in London and took the tube to the hostel I had booked, all I could think was “what have I done?!”

What I really needed was some guidance from someone who had made a similar move, to answer my (millions of) questions.

So, here are a few things I wish someone had told me…

Differences between social work in the UK and Australia

In Australia, social work is broad. It covers everything from child protection to community development to counselling, and lots in between.

In the UK, social work usually means child protection and adult social care. It can also include specific mental health, youth justice, disability, and hospital roles. Here is some more information about what social workers in the UK do.

But unlike Australia, you cannot carry out many of these roles in the UK just by having a similar degree or experience. You must have a social work qualification, and be formally recognised as a social worker.

This means getting registered with the regulatory body for the part of the UK you will be working. Like a lot of Australians who move to the UK, I moved to London, so I am registered with Social Work England.

The registration process is a bit of a pain, but it is essential to work as a social worker in the UK. They will check your qualification is equivalent to a UK social work qualification, and that you meet the English language requirement.

Here’s what I wish someone told me: Get your Social Work England registration started ASAP – it is essential and it can take months to come through. And you can’t work as a social worker until you have it.

See my post registering with Social Work England as an overeas qualified social worker for more info.

Note: If you didn’t study social work, you may still be able to get a job in the field.  You could work in case management roles in youth justice.  You could also work in a support role such as a family support worker or social work assistant.  These jobs are great options and are often more hands on, but they are also likely to pay less.

How to find a social work job in the UK

There is a shortage of social workers in the UK, so there are lots of jobs! But finding the right one is tricky.

Jobs fall under three categories: Permanent, Agency/Locum, and Fixed-Term Contract.

Permanent Social Work Jobs are as you would expect. You apply for a specific role, usually write a long application telling them why you can do the job, and have an interview (and probably some kind of written assessment). There will be a bit of a delay in starting for references to be checked and police checks to be completed.

Recruitment agencies can sometimes help you find a permanent role. They submit you to their employer contacts who consider whether they want to interview you. This usually helps avoid the lengthy application process of when you apply directly to the employer.

In the UK, police checks are called DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and to work with vulnerable people (such as children or elderly) you will need Enhanced checks which are more thorough. Your employer or agency will sort this out.

Agency/Locum Social Work Jobs are (usually) short-term contracts where you get paid an hourly rate. Although these jobs usually start as a 3-month contract, they very often go on for much longer (sometimes even years). Agency jobs are generally to fill gaps where there is a staff shortage or recruitment is taking place for permanent jobs. Staff turnover means contracts often get extended.  Agency jobs pay more but there is less security, and you do not get holiday or sick pay.

I started with an agency/locum job, and it was perfect as I got paid more per hour and could take more time off to travel. It also gave me the chance to try different areas without having to go through lengthy recruitment processes. To get an agency/locum job, you need to be registered with a recruitment agency and you will have all your checks (references and DBS) done before you are put forward for a job so you can get started very quickly.

Fixed-term Social Worker Contract Jobs are a bit of a mix of the other two categories. They are not permanent but are usually longer, such as 12 months.

Here is some more info about how to find a good social work recruitment agency in the UK.

Is it worth moving to the UK as a social worker?

The most important question of all. My answer is:

Absolutely!

I have learnt so much living and working as a social worker in the UK. I have become a much more confident, experienced, and knowledgeable social worker. 

Was I terrified and overwhelmed about moving from Australia to the UK? Yes!

But am I glad I did it? ABSOLUTELY!!!

If you’re thinking about moving to the UK, have a look at these FAQs. But don’t worry if you still have questions! Unsurprisingly, moving your life across the world to work in an unfamiliar system is confusing! How do you know what the UK equivalent for your job is? Which area would be best for you to work in? Which jobs are most in demand right now?

If you’d like to have a chat about your unique situation, feel free to get in touch.

You can send me a message, connect with me on LinkedIn or email me.

Kristin

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