Hello, I'm a Canadian social worker interested in practicing in the UK. Was wondering what the job market was like there for social workers and what the salaries are like?
Also, I would like to get "indefinite leave to remain." Anyone have any info they could share?

hey jeff, i think if you check out this link it will tell you the process re ILR stamp....http://www.i-uk.com/servlet/Front?pa...=1006977150691

Thanks! Sorry about your Texas situation.....hope you get better soon!

LOL i'm great thanks and it's not forever thank god

You'll be fine if you are willing to go to London, and do front line child protection. I am happy to do child protection, just don't want to go back to London. There are plenty of jobs there, which is great, if you have no family to house along with you. Property is just way too expensive in London to rent or buy on a Social Worker salary. Start salaries for a LA begin at around £24,500, in London, around £27,000. I am a Canadian trained SW, also a Brit, also going back. I am finding that the jobs are there but when it comes to the crunch, the money is always at the bottom of the payscale range. You will face the "no UK experience" issue, which I shouldn't face, but unbelieveably do, as one of my degrees is Canadian.

Talk to Joanne Chambers at Synergy Group, they place Canucks all the time. This is a good agency, I have looked at a few.

I'm definitely keen on living in London as I myself come from Toronto and love big cities.
Are there many Canadians in London doing social work?
I also being Canadian would probably need a work permit.....
I suppose Canadians get sponsored and from the shortage of social
workers there, it isn't too hard to get a work permit?

You have to get registered with the GSCC - General Social Care Council, if your not already, to practise as a SW in the UK. www.gscc.org.uk

www.communitycare.co.uk - this is a great website to look at when seeking employment, look at the left hand side of the screen under jobs.

There are loads of positions, at least there was 2 years ago when I was in the UK. They are in short supply - especially in Children and Family teams. Most Councils in the UK will employ Social Workers on the basis of a Work Permit.

Good luck.

Claire

Hi Claire,

Thanks for the info!

Is it difficult to get a work permit? I know in Canada it's a lot of
paperwork and a medical. Is the UK similar?

Many thanks,

Jeff

Claire ,did you used to work at Ausgust House in Reading????
donna

No, I used to recruit Social Worker's from overseas into the UK - when I lived there. I am now doing Health and Social Care recruitment here in Oz.

claire

From recolection, work permits were obtainable through the employer, most facilities recruit overseas social workers and are generally familiar with this process. However, I haven't done this type of recruitment for a while. If you call a company called bbt www.bbt.co.uk they specialise in this type of recruitment within the UK. Ring 0121 212 2292 and speak to Harriet or Susan Lyons - tell them I told you to call. I used to work in the Birmingham office a while ago.

Medicals - you were required to get medicals done, in the form of a chest x-ray - again the requirements may have changed.

Good luck.

Claire

Many thanks Claire. My only concern with the UK is the high cost of living and if a social work salary will be ample to live on there. Otherwise, I can't wait for the adventure!

-Jeff

anyone know if there is a need for behavior analysis, or behavior therapy?

Avoid London, what about the West Midlands? Still affordable property (against London that is), commutable to London from Brimingham, just under 2 hours by train. Not a bad place either.

How about Manchester? I've heard it's nice and inexpensive....but one of my professors here says it's an industrial hell and filthy. Then again, he hasn't been there in 20 years.
Thanks for the job websites as well. It looks like social workers will be in high demand all over the U.K. for the next few years?