Recruitment Agencies for Overseas Social Workers

How do you find a good recruitment agency?

A lot of information was outdated, not social work specific, or was just confusing!

There were countless recruitment agencies claiming to help find social work jobs in the UK. 

I wasn’t familiar with working with recruitment agencies.  In Australia, I had only ever applied directly to whichever government department I wanted to work with.   

How did I know if I could trust recruitment agencies?  Would I have to pay them for their services?  Would they help an international social worker to find work in the UK?    

I was not filled with confidence when several of the websites within the top search results had outdated information. One had not updated the social work information on their websites in 7 years!   

There were references to a social work registration body that no longer exists (GSCC) and more commonly to a body that is no longer responsible for social workers (HCPC).   How could I trust these social work recruitment agencies to properly support me through the process when it seemed they didn’t understand it themselves?!

To be clear, to work as a social worker in England, you must be registered with Social Work England.  This is the current registration body!  Not one of the outdated ones you might have read about elsewhere.  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).  

In search of information about moving to the UK as a social worker, amongst the top search results were websites about relocating to the UK. There were social work specific sections which provided very broad information and did not really tell me what I needed to know about finding a social work job in the UK. The information did not seem to have been written by someone who had ever moved to the UK or worked as a social worker.  

Recruitment agencies can really be really helpful in finding a social work job in the UK.  But, not all recruitment agencies are created equal!  

There are some social work recruitment agencies that specialise in international recruitment.  This includes permanent roles, with sponsorship opportunities, and relocation packages.   

There are some recruitment agencies that specialise in temporary/ locum/ agency roles.  These roles are more flexible, you get paid a higher hourly rate (but no sick leave or annual leave), and you are expected to hit the ground running.   

Most recruitment consultants have not worked as social workers but some have a lot of social work knowledge from years of supporting social workers to find work.  Others… not so much!  

It can sometimes be difficult for recruitment consultants to understand what it is like to move across the world.  But some have specialist international teams, including people who have made similar moves and relocation experts who know all things visas, booking flights, and finding accommodation.   

Social work recruitment agencies are paid by the employer, not the candidate (i.e you, the social worker).  They either receive a lump sum for a permanent placement or a small ongoing amount for agency (temporary/locum) social work jobs.  Either way, you should not be paying them!

There are lots of social work vacancies in the UK so social workers are in demand.  Have a look here for more information about what social workers in the UK do.

The demand for social workers is ideal for international social workers wanting to move to the UK. But you still want to make sure you find the right role, in the right location for you.  Moving your life to the other side of the world is difficult enough. You need to know you will be supported in your job as a social worker.  

If you are a social worker planning to move to the UK, have a look at these 5 things I wish I knew before I moved to the UK as a social worker and these FAQs. But also feel free to get in touch with me. I am always happy to talk about what it is like to move to the UK as a social worker. I know how overwhelming and daunting the process can be!

I also have strong links with good agencies for social workers who provide support for permanent and temporary roles.  Get in touch about your situation and I will point you in the direction of trusted and reputable international social work recruitment agencies in the UK!