UK social work

GSCC registration takes so long as it was only introduced a few years ago and they are working out all the bugs. Now is the first round of people apply for re-registration, so they are very busy. Plus, it isn't just social workers anymore, they are including all social "care" professionals.

Once you finally get it done, re-registration is a snap (I think! Although I am just doing mine right now).

My registration too 8 months btw.

GSCC registration takes so long as it was only introduced a few years ago and they are working out all the bugs. Now is the first round of people apply for re-registration, so they are very busy. Plus, it isn't just social workers anymore, they are including all social "care" professionals.

Once you finally get it done, re-registration is a snap (I think! Although I am just doing mine right now).

My registration took 8 months btw.

wow.i definately didn't think it would take 8 months.

especially on the site it says 4 months and on another board i was talking to someone who got it in 2.5 months.

I don't think it takes 8 months anymore, but I was in the first batch of international workers to get theirs, thus the delay.

Hey There

Just touching base as I have seen a few forums of people talking of Social Work in the UK. I am based in Canada and have extensive knowledge of the UK system and how it all works and more than happy to set the record straight and put you in the right direction!

Drop me a line via canuckabroad.

Cheers

B

Interested to know if anyone has more information on the GSCC registration. Despite the long-winded explanation of my qualifications (social service worker NOT social worker), each of the places that I contacted have referred me back to the GSCC for registration.

I see here that the original poster has said "Plus, it isn't just social workers anymore, they are including all social "care" professionals", but in the information I have received from them it asks only about social work qualifications.

Does anyone know what I should be after? Here we register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

I have no interest in wasting time or being denied, so any and all direction will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Hey there..it is a tough one. Generally speaking they only accept people who have a degree or diploma as a social worker however if you can register with the Ontario College of Social Workers this may assist. I used to work in recruitment there and they were very strict. I got knocked back after having a 3 year degree (that made me more qualified than there 2 year diploma people) because social work was not in my degree title. It is a right old pain in the arse the whole process. It is well worth it if you get it but a lot of hard work and money that you don't get back if not. The criteria is vague and they are usually just as unhelpful if you were to take the time to call. There is no easy answer!! If you are so keen to get back you can try - be prepared for it to take months even a year for a response as well! No agency will employ you without the GSCC as it is law over there. You may get work as an unqualified social worker but those opportunities are not as common these days. Good luck! Cheers

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I have spent the day researching and speaking to a number of people in the UK. I also had my husband navigate through some of it because while we all speak English, I swear there was a language barrier with all of these issues as well! Glad I recognized it!

Anyhow-I think I have just figured it out. I looked into edexcel, ofqual and finally found naric:

http://naric.org.uk/index.asp?page=17

"UK NARIC is the national agency responsible for providing information and advice about how qualifications and skills from overseas compare to the UK's national qualification frameworks.

They can compare your qualifications to the UK's qualification frameworks by providing you with simple and officially recognised documents.

-a statement of comparability; providing information on the comparable level of your qualifications to UK standards
-a career path report; an in-depth report describing one of your qualifications and the education system in which you studied

These documents will help explain the level of your qualification.

*Please note that at UK NARIC we are unable to provide a comparability statement for the grades obtained in your qualifications. It is recommended that you present transcripts directly to potential employers/admitting institutions for consideration on an individual basis in line with specific grade requirements."

Hope this helps others.

Thanks again!