Hi
I`m a social worker, with 2 young children in London. I`m looking for options to work from home part time.
Are there any options/opportunities to do social work type work from home on a part time basis? I`ve also got an interest in therapy.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
If you need to be at home most of the time (i.e. not out visiting) then that does put more restrictions that saying you want to work from home. (Some local authorities for example encourage home working, but you would need to be able to go out and about). The option that you may want to consider is becoming an independent social worker and picking up free lance work - foster care assessments, advocacy, court reports, advising people who want to pay for a social work service. Suggest that if you are intrested in that you consider joining BASW and being part of their independents network, also sorts out insurance etc. Just look at BASW web site
I agree with that comment. There is a huge difference from being home-based (minimising time in an office but still going out and doing lots of visits - the bread and butter of social work and occupational therapy) and being a home worker (where you don't or can't go out to do many visits). I doubt see any real chance of a social work or occupational therapy job with the second type.
Question - which local authorities welcome or promote home/mobile working? I love my job as a community social worker for adults with physical disabilities and older people but hate going into the office just to type when this could be done anywhere with wifi. A list of those authorities who are not obsessed by bums-on-seats and more focused on outcomes would be very interesting.
MJ
I work from home for an independent fostering agency - experience in therapy and attachment disorders is an advantage and there are jobs around for the right people, based at home. However, my home is just an office base and I am in my car or with carers most of the time. Many people have told me that they envy me, but I am busy and I couldnt imagine how anyone could focus on the job whilst managing child care. My eighteen year old daughter who is jobseeking is enough a distraction (although she is great for coffee and a sound off!) Home working can be very isolating at times and is not for everyone. It does have the odd benefit, but I am going slightly mad! Please dont think that working from home means you can escape child care costs - you are being paid to work after all. However, if you are looking for flexibility Form F assessments as an independent social worker could be handy. If you have a partner or someone who can babysit evenings/weekends, this lends itself well to the work - again counselling skills are useful, but you might also want to look at BAAF training first
good luck in your search
LaMagia, that's really good advice, because who can honestly work around children, unless your job is childcare? I can't-and it's hardly fair for the child.