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JOB PROFILE: Social Worker
Tue 29 Jan 2019Qualifications and courses
Qualification is with an Honours degree in social work, approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) or Scottish Social Care Council (SSCC). The degree takes 3 years full time and approximately half of the course will consist of work-based training. There are also options to study part time. Entry requirements are usually 2 A levels/3 H grades and 5 GCSEs/National 5s (C or above, or 4 or above in England), including English and Maths.
If you already have a different degree you can take an HCPC- or SSCC-approved postgraduate course in order to gain the appropriate knowledge required. You will need a minimum of a 2.2 Honours degree to be accepted onto this.
Both the degree in social work and the postgraduate degree usually require relevant work experience for entry. This can be gained through paid positions in community care centres or by volunteer work. Some universities request a specific period of experience.
To work as a social worker you will need to pass checks from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and register with either the HCPC or the SSCC. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland registration with the HCPC takes place after completing your degree. In Scotland, you will need to register with the SSCC when you are accepted onto the degree and then again when you finish.
Some local authorities may also sponsor employees working in a social care support role to take a social work degree part-time or as part of a distance learning programme.
What the work involves
Working at a senior level, you will interview your clients and assess their complex problems and needs.
You will then advise on the best package of care for your client.
Your goal is to support people to live independently and thrive in their surroundings. This might involve helping families to stay together, protecting vulnerable people or helping the excluded to be a part of their community.
You will keep detailed records of all your work.
Type of person suited to this work
You should be culturally aware, non-judgemental and able to engage with clients of all ethnicities, religions and backgrounds.
Caseloads can be heavy, so you need to be organised. Excellent communication skills are important.
At times your clients may become difficult and you must be confident at resolving conflicts. You also need to remain professionally detached in emotionally tense circumstances.
Working conditions
You will often work within a team from other disciplines including psychologists and therapists and will be office based. However, most of your time will be spent visiting clients at their homes.
A driving licence is essential.
You will work 37 hours a week but this may include evenings, early mornings and weekends. You may be on call on a rota basis.
Future prospects
There is currently a demand for qualified social workers so job prospects are high. You will most likely work for a local authority social services department or for children's or adult services departments within the National Health Service. Jobs may also be available with armed forces support groups.
After gaining experience you can vary your role by changing your speciality or by moving on within your speciality. For example, you could move from child protection into foster care.
You could also become a senior practitioner or manager but this will mean you will deal more with finances and bureaucracy rather than directly with clients. Lecturing and self-employment opportunities are also possible.
Recent and prospective cuts to social care funding may make your job more difficult. You may have to reduce the services you can offer due to a lack of resources, which may be frustrating.
Advantages/disadvantages
No two cases will be the same, keeping your work interesting.
It is rewarding to see people reach their full potential, solve their own problems and improve their lives.
Social work systems can be bureaucratic and frustrating at times.
Your work can be emotionally distressing and may put you in vulnerable situations.
Money guide
Starting salaries vary between £19,500 and £30,000 per year, depending on where you are working. Salaries starting out in the NHS could range between £28,050 and £36,644.
With experience, you could earn up to £40,000. Managers can earn £42,000 or more.
Many employers offer additional benefits such as car allowances and child care.
Further information
Content generously provided by Indigo Trotman.
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JOB PROFILE: Air Cabin Crew
Tue 22 Jan 2019Qualifications and courses
Entry requirements depend on the individual airline. Employers often expect 3–5 GCSEs/National 5s (C or above, or 4 or above in England), including English and Maths and although a degree is not required, having one in languages, hospitality management or travel may be useful.
You will need to be at least 18 years old (sometimes 21), physically fit and within height and weight restrictions. You will also need a valid passport allowing unrestricted world travel, or at least, with no restrictions to the countries the airline travels to. Most airlines will expect you to be able to swim at least 25 metres. Previous experience in a customer service role, the ability to speak another language (essential if you are looking to be based abroad) and training in First Aid would all be beneficial.
There are various qualifications that could be useful for people looking to become an air cabin crew member. These include a GCSE/National 5 or A level/H grade in Leisure and Tourism, BTECs in Customer Service or Aviation Operations and NCFE Airline Cabin Crew courses. While these qualifications may give you an edge over other candidates, they don’t guarantee you a job and are not required by airlines.
Cabin Crew Apprenticeships are also available and are a good way of preparing you for the work involved.
Some airlines may want relevant work experience rather than qualifications, so it is a good idea to do part-time or temporary work in customer service roles or anything that demonstrates teamwork and communication skills.
Once accepted by an airline you will take part in their 3–6-week training course which covers areas such as First Aid, safety and emergency procedures, security regulations and customer care.
What the work involves
When you have prepared the cabin, you will welcome your passengers on board and make sure that they are comfortable.
You will be responsible for checking that customers are wearing their safety belts when required and that their bags are stored away. You will demonstrate safety procedures before take-off.
During the flight you will help to care for any young children and sick passengers, giving First Aid if needed. You will also serve food and drinks, sell duty free items, ensure that passengers are ready for landing and see them all safely off the plane.
Type of person suited to this work
You will need to be welcoming, friendly, well-groomed, confident and caring.
You should be happy working in a team with the rest of the crew.
Common sense and tact are important when dealing with a variety of situations ranging from nervous or unruly passengers to medical emergencies. It is essential to stay calm under pressure and to have a reassuring attitude.
Working conditions
You will work in a cabin, which can sometimes be cramped and unstable. You will spend the majority of your time standing up and the work may affect your health, for example ear pain from cabin pressure or jet lag from long flights.
Planes fly 24/7 which means unsocial working hours. You will work different shifts on a rota system. You might work on short flights within the UK/Europe or you could fly long-haul with frequent periods of time away from home.
You could be based overseas as a member of an airline's international crew.
You will be provided with a uniform and you must have a smart appearance at all times.
Future prospects
There is strong competition for jobs and the assessment process can be very tough.
With experience, you could progress to working as a purser (looking after a particular cabin such as first class) and then to cabin service director or crew controller. You could also go on to train new cabin crew.
Advantages/disadvantages
You will travel to dream destinations, but on short flights you will not always get off the plane!
No two working days will be the same.
While working with people can be very rewarding, you may have to deal with difficult passengers.
Money guide
Starting salaries for air cabin crew are usually around £12,000.
With 5 or more years' experience, earnings can rise to £15,000 to £18,000. Senior members of the crew with 10 or more years' experience can earn between £20,000 and £30,000.
Benefits include meals, free or discounted flights and allowances for working unsocial hours or working away from home. Air cabin crew can often boost their income with commission on in-flight sales.
Further information
Content generously provided by Indigo Trotman.
