Key resources

• Overview of the social care sector and graduate jobs in the social care sector from Prospects.

Research the sector and keep up with current issues by reading:

• industry news from Community Care, Guardian Social Care Network and the Government’s social care blog
• information from organisations promoting social care and social work, including the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Probation Institute
• Frontline video Why we need more men in social work
• Understanding social work, reference book in the Careers information room.

Employers in this sector look for candidates who show real motivation to help others, plus evidence of some of these skills, depending on the organisation and specific role:

• patience and sensitivity
• active listening
• able to stay calm and work effectively when under pressure
• excellent communication - verbal and written
• strong teamwork
• non judgemental approach and able to deal with a range of people
• self awareness
• resilience
• awareness of confidentiality
• time management skills and ability to prioritise
• information handling.

Depending on your area of interest, you may need a degree in a specific subject or be willing to undertake further qualifications.

• Jobs in housing are open to graduates of any discipline, but if you have a non-housing degree you should be prepared to undertake qualifications accredited by The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) to progress your career.
• Social workers need an honours or postgraduate degree in social work approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). There are also a small number of graduate schemes in which you get qualified while working, including Frontline and Think Ahead.
• Youth workers need an honours or postgraduate qualification validated by the National Youth Agency (NYA)
• Counsellors typically undertake a three-stage training route accredited by a professional body, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
• Probation officers need a professional qualification in probation, which is studied while working in a probation service. It takes 15 or 21 months, depending on what you have studied in university.

Work experience is essential if you want to work in social care or social work. Work shadowing and work placements can help you learn more about the areas of the sector that most interest you, and volunteering will show your dedication to the sector and help you develop your skills.

Housing

• Make speculative applications to housing associations, tenants associations or organisations like the National Landlords Association.
• Find part-time work developing your customer service skills.

Social care work

• Many national and local charities require volunteers to support their work. Opportunities are advertised through Careers Gateway, Do-it, YUSU and on charity websites. Consider organisations like Nightline, Samaritans and Childline, where you can volunteer as a listener taking calls from distressed members of the public.

Working with offenders

• Build your experience of working in challenging situations and supporting people who display challenging behaviour by volunteering with local authority youth offending teams; City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council regularly seek volunteers. You could also consider volunteering as an appropriate adult, in victim support or with the police.

Working with children and young people

• Explore the opportunities available with York Students in Schools.
• Local youth organisations like Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scouts require volunteers.
• There are opportunities to work abroad over summer as a counsellor at US summer camps.

See also the Psychology sector page for further suggestions and links to local care providers, including mental health support services.

Jobs are advertised on:

• websites like Community Care, JobsGoPublic, NHS Jobs and Careers Gateway
• local authority websites
• HM Prison & Probation Service for probation worker training.

Graduate training opportunities in social care include:

• Frontline
• Think Ahead.

• Take advantage of the volunteering opportunities available through Careers and Placements and YUSU.
• Read profiles of York graduates who have gone into social work on York Profiles and Mentors.
• Get your CV reviewed and attend mock interviews run by Careers and Placements.
• If you're not studying a social work course, consider a placement year to increase your experience and gain a better understanding of the sector.