Recruitment Agencies for Overseas Social Workers

Recruitment agencies play a key role in helping social workers find jobs in the UK. They work with local authorities and other organisations to match candidates with suitable roles, whether permanent or temporary. Agencies guide you through applications, arrange interviews, and help with paperwork once you’ve secured a job.

You don’t need to use a recruitment agency to find a social work job in the UK but for many overseas social workers, they’re a helpful first point of contact when exploring social work jobs in the UK.

How to Choose a Reliable Social Work Recruitment Agency

When I first started looking for information about social work jobs in the UK, I quickly realised how confusing it could be. A lot of what I found online was outdated, not specific to social work, or simply unclear. There were also countless recruitment agencies claiming they could help, which made it hard to know where to start.

Coming from Australia, I wasn’t used to working with recruitment agencies at all.  I had always applied directly to government departments. So naturally, I had questions. Could I trust these agencies? Would I have to pay them? Would they actually support an international social worker?

Some of the top search results didn’t inspire confidence. A few websites hadn’t been updated in years and still referred to old regulatory bodies like the GSCC or HCPC. For clarity: to work as a social worker in England, you must be registered with Social Work England, which is the current regulator. Here is more information about registering with Social Work England as an overseas qualified social worker. There are also separate social work regulators for other parts of the UK (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland).  

I also came across general “moving to the UK” websites with social work sections that were very broad and didn’t reflect the realities of finding a job in the UK. It didn’t feel like the information was written by someone who had actually made the move or worked in the sector.

Permanent vs Locum Social Work Roles in the UK

Agencies usually recruit for two main types of roles:

Permanent roles

• Offer job security, annual leave, and sick pay
• Sometimes come with sponsorship opportunities
• May include relocation packages

Locum (agency/temporary) roles

• Higher hourly pay
• More flexibility
• No paid leave or sick pay
• Expectation that you can start confidently and independently

Both options have benefits, the right choice depends on your experience, confidence, and what you want from your time in the UK.

Do Recruitment Agencies Charge Social Workers?

No. Recruitment agencies are paid by the employer, not by you. 

For permanent roles, they usually receive a one‑off fee.  For locum roles, they receive a small ongoing amount.

Either way, you should never be asked to pay a fee.

My Experience Working With UK Social Work Recruitment Agencies

After more than 10 years working as a social worker in the UK, I’ve learned that recruitment agencies can be incredibly helpful, especially when you’re new to the country. There are excellent agencies that genuinely understand social work and support international candidates well. There are also some that are less familiar with the realities of the job or the experience of relocating.

A good agency should:

• Understand the Social Work England registration process
• Be familiar with international qualifications
• Offer clear communication and realistic expectations
• Have experience placing overseas social workers
• Be transparent about roles, pay, and locations

If an agency’s website hasn’t been updated in years or still refers to outdated regulators, that’s usually a sign to look elsew

If you’re planning to move to the UK, you might find these helpful:

• 5 things I wish I knew before I moved to the UK as a social worker
• The most common social work roles in the UK
• Frequently Asked Questions for overseas social workers

I also have strong links with reputable agencies that support both permanent and locum roles. If you’d like guidance based on your situation, feel free to get in touch, I’m always happy to point social workers toward trusted and experienced recruitment teams.