In our latest ‘Care to chat?’ podcast, discover how to get into social work as a career in Northern Ireland and learn more about the qualifications, skills and experience you’ll need.
Our panel of experts explain from their own experiences why they decided to embark on a social work career and what they love about it. They tell us that there is ‘more than one chance’ or pathway into social work and what it is really like to be a social work student in training towards one of the most rewarding careers there is.
Host Dr Wendy Austin MBE is joined by Catherine Maguire, Head of Workforce Development, Northern Ireland Social Care Council (also a registered social worker), newly qualified social worker Ioan Racasan, current social work student Niamh Quinn and senior social worker Caragh McLaughlin, Head of Community Social Work, Western Health and Social Care Trust.
Wendy asks the questions so you don’t have to about what preparation you need to do before you apply for the Degree in Social Work in Northern Ireland, where you can study and what support is available.
Talking about what it is like to be a social work student Niamh said:
“They are preparing us for the outside world when we go in to be a social worker, and just the real-life experience is brilliant. Most of my tutors are social workers, so they are teaching us skills, but they are also telling us about the skills they have used and how they used them. It’s really rewarding.”
A must listen for any budding social worker. Let your career journey start here.
Feeling inspired? For more information on how you can train to be a social worker in Northern Ireland check out our Interested in becoming a social worker? page.
The Social Care Council releases a new episode every fortnight, discussing current topics about social care and social work regulation in Northern Ireland. Download, subscribe and listen to the latest Social Care Council ‘Care to chat?’ podcast episode today here, or by searching ‘Care to chat’ in your podcast player.
For more information:
If you have questions or feedback about the podcast, email comms@niscc.hscni.net.