News

Carl is an 18-year-old who works at a home for adolescents.

What is your job?

I am a residential support worker.

What are your responsibilities?

I work in a unit with children who have challenging behaviour. I need to maintain a working rapport with all the children which is tricky as I work part-time.

What is your salary?

I earn £8 per hour.

What are your career aspirations?

I want to continue working with children, especially helping them develop their education.

OK, here are three possible career options:

1. Children and families social worker at a council. Possibly working as part of a leaving care team you would help young people, aged 16 plus, to move towards independent living. You would provide support to help young people have a positive transition into adulthood and improve their life chances. You would support them in their education, employment and training and ensure they have the necessary skills. You would earn £24,000 a year.
2. After this role you may be interested in taking on a more senior position. A section manager for the children and young people's service would be ideal. You would be responsible for a group of front-line staff who undertake assessments and deliver support and outreach services to children and their families. You would need a social work qualification and four years' post qualifying experience. You would assist in the co-ordination and development of the families and young people service. This includes staff appraisals and recording of staff training needs. You would manage the planning, allocation and the review of staff workloads. The salary would be £31,000.
3. You could extend your skills and become an education welfare officer. You would work with whole families and deal with the problems and issues that may prevent children from attending schools. You would require a recognised social work qualification and would be based within a local education authority in England and Wales. Your salary would be £24,000 a year.