Resolved Question
I am currently claiming Jobseekers Alowance but want to train as a Social Worker?
Like many others in the country I have found myself Unemployed through redundancy. I have not been out of work for 15 years and am finding it a real struggle to find suitable employment. As a single parent (daughter 16 - in full time education) I wish to consider a career change, but the restrictions placed on me as a Jobseekers Allowance claimant are very tight. I wonder how I would train for my prefered career (Social Worker) without me losing my financial assistance support eg. Council Tax/ Rent relief. I really dont know my best options - Help please!!!!
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My mother is a social worker and went into it with no formal qualifications at all. She's now got what is the equivalent of a degree in social work where she has taken courses whilst working over the last 5-10 years and now holds a senior position.
Before going into social work she did extensive work in care homes which gave her the relevant experience to be considered for the job in the first place. There's always carer jobs about and whilst they don't pay fantastically they're usually full time and should work out as more than what you're getting in benefits at the moment.
The hours aren't great either BUT as a social worker you will do out of office hours anyway so I guess it's better to start at the bottom with the really **** hours so that when you're in the job and being called out until midnight it might not seem so bad!
There's also a few trainee social worker positions out there but they are a lot rarer to come by, but not impossible.
Getting relevant experience and on the job training/qualifications is probably the best way I can think for you to progress into the career you want whilst still being able to support your family. Try having a chat with someone at the Job Centre about it, they might be able to advise you further. Best of luck, it's a tough career path!
Before going into social work she did extensive work in care homes which gave her the relevant experience to be considered for the job in the first place. There's always carer jobs about and whilst they don't pay fantastically they're usually full time and should work out as more than what you're getting in benefits at the moment.
The hours aren't great either BUT as a social worker you will do out of office hours anyway so I guess it's better to start at the bottom with the really **** hours so that when you're in the job and being called out until midnight it might not seem so bad!
There's also a few trainee social worker positions out there but they are a lot rarer to come by, but not impossible.
Getting relevant experience and on the job training/qualifications is probably the best way I can think for you to progress into the career you want whilst still being able to support your family. Try having a chat with someone at the Job Centre about it, they might be able to advise you further. Best of luck, it's a tough career path!
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Other Answers (3)
- You can do a degree in social work,
being a student means you dont pay council tax although im not sure about the rent, but you would get support for that anyway.
and you still receive child benefits and stuff.
I dont know much about it but an open learning degree probably wouldnt effect your job seekers allowance - Have you tried the Local college or what about a post graduate course where you study at home the job centre cant penalise you for trying to further your career surely .
- Ask at your job centre, find out what benefits you would receive if you went on a training course.
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