Next steps

Hannah, 21, works with an independent provider of assessment and
treatment services for adults with learning difficulties and
challenging behaviour who have been detained under the Mental
Health Act 1983.

What is your job?

Assistant psychologist.

What are your responsibilities?

Assisting in the psychological assessment of patients.

What is your salary?

£15,000 a year.

What are your career aspirations?

I have a psychology degree but I am interested in social work
and possibly using my skills within that field.

Here are three possible career options:

  1. How about becoming a social worker at your present place of
    work? You would need to work towards a recognised social work
    qualification but your experience of working with people with
    mental health problems would be invaluable. You would be working in
    a multi-disciplinary team assessing and treating people with
    learning difficulties and challenging behaviour. Knowledge of
    legislation that affects this sector would be helpful. Your salary
    would be £25,000 a year.
  2. You could find work as a forensic social worker, again with a
    recognised social work qualification behind you. You could work as
    part of a multi-disciplinary team holding caseloads of clients who
    are subject to Home Office restrictions. You would help to monitor
    and rehabilitate individuals in the community or find them suitable
    “step down” facilities. You will be expected to have a personal
    development plan and undertake approved social worker training. The
    salary would be £29,000.
  3. You could extend your skills and become an education welfare
    officer leading to a role as an educational psychologist. As a
    welfare officer you would work with families and deal with the
    issues that may prevent children attending schools. As an
    educational psychologist you would assess young people’s learning
    and emotional needs by working directly with them and consulting
    others close to them. You would develop and support therapeutic and
    behaviour management programmes. The salary would be
    £35,000.

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