Social Worker Month: The Path to a Career in Social Work and the DBS Requirements
March marks Social Worker Month, a time to recognise the incredible contributions of those in the field. Social workers play a vital role in supporting individuals, families, and communities, often working on the frontlines to improve lives and create positive change.
Whether you’re considering a career in social work or simply want to learn more about the profession, this blog dives into what it means to be a social worker, how to pursue this rewarding career, and what you need in terms of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
What does a social worker do?
Social workers are champions for vulnerable individuals and communities. They help people cope with life’s challenges, whether it’s mental health issues, poverty, addiction, abuse, or family breakdown.
Social workers can be found in various settings including local authorities, healthcare organisations, schools, and charities. They work with children, adults, and families to provide support, advocate for their needs, and connect them with resources to help improve their circumstances.
Some specific roles for social workers include:
- Children and family social workers: They support children and families in need, often working with families facing difficulties such as domestic abuse, substance misuse, or mental health issues. They may also be involved in child protection.
- Adult social workers: These social workers support adults with various needs, including older adults, those with disabilities, mental health conditions, or those experiencing homelessness.
- Mental health social workers: Specialising in mental health services, they help individuals with mental health conditions access the care and support they need.
- Healthcare social workers: These professionals work in hospitals or clinics, supporting patients and their families during illness, injury, or recovery.
The role of a social worker requires empathy, resilience, and strong communication skills, as they often deal with challenging situations while trying to bring about positive change in people’s lives.
How to become a social worker
Becoming a social worker is a structured process that involves both education and practical experience.
- Education requirements: The first step is to gain a recognised qualification in social work. This can be done through a degree in social work, which is typically a three- or four-year course available at universities across the country. A master’s degree in social work (MSW) can also be pursued if you already have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
- Work placement: During your studies, you’ll need to complete practical placements as part of your training. These placements provide you with hands-on experience and help you develop the skills necessary to work with clients in real-world settings.
- Registration with Social Work England: After completing your degree, you must register with Social Work England (SWE) – the regulatory body for social workers in England. SWE ensures that all practising social workers meet the required standards and continue their professional development throughout their careers.
- Ongoing training and development: As with many other professions, social workers must keep up to date with the latest policies, techniques, and research in the field. Continuous professional development (CPD) is a requirement for maintaining your registration with Social Work England.
DBS checks for social workers
Given the sensitive nature of social work, safeguarding vulnerable individuals is a priority. To ensure that social workers are suitable for their role and don’t have a history that might pose a risk to others, they must undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
A DBS check is a criminal background check that is used to assess whether an individual has any criminal convictions or other relevant information that could affect their suitability for working with children or vulnerable adults.
For social workers, the type of DBS check required is typically an Enhanced DBS Check. This is the most comprehensive check and provides details of any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings held on the police national database. An Enhanced DBS check also includes a search of the barred lists, ensuring that the person is not banned from working with vulnerable groups such as children or vulnerable adults.
Why is a DBS check important for social workers?
A social worker’s role often involves working with vulnerable individuals who rely on their expertise, compassion, and trust. A DBS check helps ensure that social workers don’t have a history of harmful behaviour or criminal activity that could endanger the people they are supporting.
In addition to the Enhanced DBS check, social workers are expected to maintain high ethical standards and ensure that their personal and professional conduct is aligned with the values of the profession.
Social Worker Month is the perfect opportunity to recognise the incredible impact social workers have on the lives of individuals and communities. Ensuring you meet the necessary DBS requirements is a key part of the journey to becoming a social worker, as it helps protect the vulnerable individuals that social workers serve.
Ready to begin your social work journey? Get in contact with the eSafeguarding team today to obtain your DBS check.