Hi,

I've wanted to be a social worker for the past ten years however due to raising my family and wanting to be there for them all the time I've not been able to take this further until now.  I work in sales & marketing and would like to take a part time course to gain a qualification in Social Work.

 My questions are:

Am I too old? Where do I start looking for courses? I don't have relevant experience in social work (apart from being a mother of course!!) will this go against me? Will I receive funding if I do a part time course? Is there part time courses? Can I do a course which will allow me to be a social worker for children in care or does the courses cover all aspects?

As you will see from my post I am a total novice and any help would be great.

 Hi Help

I'm sure you're not too old at 32! There are lots of mature students on social work courses. I'm not sure about your other questions but I'll see if I can find some relevant info. 

 You might find this article relevant - it's about someone who wanted to become a social worker at 57.

look at the General Social Care Council webpages  for info.  You are definitely not too old!  http://www.gscc.org.uk/Training+and+learning/Become+a+social+worker/

good luck

You're definately not too old! For courses, try www.ucas.co.uk. You do need some work experience, but obviously been a mother provides experience with children! It might be worth looking into voluntary work though, even if it's only a couple of hours a week. Check out www.do-it.org.uk. You will have to do a course that covers all aspects, and both placements will have to be in different settings.

 I changed career when I was a bit older and can heartily recommend it - although it is hard sometimes when you have to start at the bottom again!

In addition to my previous reply, one of my practice teacher's didn't qualify as a social worker until she was in her late 40s. Social Work is a profession that does actively welcome mature applicants, because of the life experience they have. I started my MSc at 21, and felt very young and under-experienced compared to the other people on the course.

I was 42 when I started the degree, and will be 45 when I qualify, of the many factors that cause me stress my age is the least of them. I do however have over 20 years experience in social care, but many of my fellow students have much less.

As you study at home for much of the time (apart from being on placements) the full time route feels like part time. In my first year I was at uni for two and a half days a week. I would start by calling the admissions tutor in any universities that are local enough for you. You could also check out this link http://www.socialcarecareers.co.uk/

Good luck

  Hi

I was the tender old age of 42 when I started my degree after doing an access course for a year to make sure they 'grey matter' was still up to the job !!  Your definately not too old and raising your children will have given you some experience of childcare and child developent.   There was a mixture of ages on our course from 21 year olds to a 50 year old and the 21 year olds mainly said that they felt that they did not have enough life experiences to deal with some of the things that got thrown at them on placements!!"  Your never too old to learn.  Since qualifying I had also embarked on a three year counselling and therapy course so that will make me nearly 50 when I qualify !!!  (oh to be young again!!)

 Go for it and good luck

If you think you are told old at 32 god help us 50 something

hi, you are not too old. i am 34 and in my second year there are lots of different ages in my year group, many over 30. where i am studying they value the life experience that people have. dont forget you have lots of transferable skills for example you must have good communication skills from your sales job and communication skills are valuable in social work.Being a mother also will have given you skills that you can use in social work.

i dont think there are part time courses but there maybe. my course is full time but i am only in university for 2.5 days a week with the other time for studying and reading at home. this is really good as i have a son so it means i am around for him as well as having time for studying.

financially things are okay i am not sure of your circumstances but i have a loan and a grant and a bursary and as students we dont have to pay council tax which is a help.

i hope this helps. i would say go for it if you really want to do it i love it and having a passion for the subject definately helps. 

Hi I'm 38 and about to qualify after a 4 year course.  Depending on where you live you could get a job as a trainee and they will pay for your tuition, placements etc but you need to apply for the jobs.  I am in northwest and there are quite a few do it round here.  My mum was 48 when she qualified.  She went to night school and di 2 years of A levels and then applied to UCLAN.  She was worried because she had 'no experience' but the big thing she has is an understanding of what it is like to be a young mum with 3 small children. Go for it!

Hi, I too am 42 and hope my life is just about to get interesting!!! I have just finished my first degree - Childhood & Youth Studies - and I have an interview for the MSc in Social Work in 2 weeks time. I feel I haven't even started yet in terms of careers.

Good luck with your decisions.

 

Thanks to everyone that has posted, you've all helped me.  I've looked into various different options and I am going to my local college next week as they have an open day to discuss these options further.  You have all put my mind at rest on my age so thanks again.

I'm looking forward to learning again and one day being a social worker