Wednesday, September 8, 2010

PODCAST - Working in Australia's outback - a Social Worker's 5 year experience

Many Social Workers have dreamed of starting or continuing their careers in the land down under - Australia. HCL Social Care is now offering Social Workers the opportunity to explore the possibility of working in the Australia Northern Territory. Relocating to a new country can be tasking, especially not knowing what to expect on the other side. There are so many questions to be asked. It's always a good idea to connect with someone that has lived and worked there. In this podcast, HCL Social Care's David Dininio interviews Barrie Hannah - a Canadian Social Worker who lived and worked in Australia's outback for five years. Barrie gives you a first hand account of his experience as a Social Worker in the outback.
Download and listen to the podcast here

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

COST OF LIVING IN THE UK

Initial Costs


There are also some initial costs that will whittle your wallet down fairly quickly if you don’t plan accordingly, especially when it comes to setting up longer-term accommodation. Generally you should budget for the following:

Accommodation when you arrive: If you haven’t already organised accommodation for when you first arrive make sure you have enough money for hostel or hotel accommodation (from £11 upwards per night) or to give to mates who let you doss.

Bond and first month’s rent: This will be your most significant outlay. When leasing a flat or room in a flat-share bond can be up to 6 weeks rent and on top of that you will probably have to pay up to a month’s rent in advance. This could be as much as £1000 depending on the price of your rent.

Transport: Flat and job hunting can take a lot of trekking across the city on Tubes and buses. Make sure you have some cash for public transport or to purchase an Oyster card, see Getting around the UK.

Mobile phone: If you’ve brought your mobile phone from home you still may need to buy a SIM card or pay to have your phone ‘unlocked’ from your previous carrier. Avoid phone contracts if possible and opt for pre-pay calling. Be sure to put aside some cash to buy pre-paid top-ups; not being able to call back a potential employer because you have no credit is not a good look!

Internet access: You’ll probably be using the Internet for job hunting, searching for accommodation and staying in touch with family and friends back home. Internet cafes charge from £1 an hour, but allow plenty of cash for this as you’d be surprised how many hours you can rack up in these places.


Clothing: Hopefully you packed suitable clothes for the season you’re arriving in the UK and if you found room in your suitcase or backpack, suitable clothing for job interviews in your line of work. But, if sneakers won out over suits, make sure you have some pounds in your budget for interview and work-wear.

Eating and drinking: Your first few weeks are sure to be a blur of eating, drinking and socialising. Eating out in London isn’t cheap so try not to have breakfast, lunch and dinner (and those crisps with your pint) while out and about as it will be more economical to buy groceries and prepare your own meals.

There are of course ways of saving your hard earned pounds as a  social working traveller (you say frugal, we say sensible!) for more important things like skiing in the Swiss Alps and living it up in Ibiza. Here are some cost-saving strategies:

Utilise your student or youth travel card: You are entitled to many discounts if you have a student or International youth travel card. This includes discounted entry to museums, cinemas and clubs. There are also special deals and discounts associated with Oyster cards (see Getting around the UK), so keep it handy at all times. Remember, a pound saved on a movie ticket is a pound towards another pint!

Buy from Charity Shops: Walk down any High Street in London and you’ll be hard pressed not to see at least a handful of Charity Shops (op shops, or second hand shops). Make these your first port of call for any crockery, utensils or home wares for your pad. Most stock decent clothing and shoes too, so if you don’t have a suit for that all important job interview, you can pick up a bargain.

Keep your eyes peeled for specials: At home you may have cringed when your mate whipped out a ‘buy one get one free’ voucher, but when you’ve only a few pounds left in your wallet you’ll be cheering for specials. Check the back of your cinema ticket for discounts at nearby restaurants, take advantage of early-bird dining offers at restaurants you normally wouldn’t be able to afford and make note of happy hour times at every pub you pass.

Leave things till the last minute: If you’re working casually and can pack your bags at a moment’s notice there are some great last minute travel deals to be had. Check lastminute.com for flights, accommodation and package deals.

Book ahead of time: In slight contradiction to the above point, you can also save loads of dosh by booking your travels well in advance! If you know the best time for you to take off work or when your mates are free to travel, book your flights/trains and accommodation early, this is often when you will get the biggest bargains.

Watch out for swaps and freebies: The only thing better than something cheap is something for free! There are some kind souls in London who give away stuff they no longer need to struggling working travellers, you just need to be able to go and pick it up. From mattresses and couches to computers and tellies, there’s plenty up for grabs.

Join the local library: Once you’re settled in a suburb one of the first things you should do is join your local library. Many have free computers and Internet access and cheap (£1 - £3) CDs and DVDs for hire, not to mention guide books to borrow for all of your adventures abroad!

You can of course save even more money by living outside of London, as the cost of accommodation and day to day living expenses are significantly lower than the capital. Keep in mind though that your UK earnings may be lower (or higher depending on your line of work) and some people may find the lifestyle and travel options can be less vibrant and varied than central London. Of course, it’s each working traveller’s personal preference where they want to base themselves for what will be the adventure of a lifetime no matter what!

o gain a better understanding of just how far your pounds will go when you’re in the UK and when you get home (if you’ve been lucky enough to save some along the way) check out the OECD Purchasing Power Parities. Purchasing Power Parities (PPPs) are basically a rate of currency conversion that equalise the purchasing power of different currencies by eliminating the differences in price levels between countries. The simplest way of working out your own PPP is to compare two identical products in two different country’s currency (the most common products used to calculate PPPs are Big Macs and Coca Cola, basically because you can get them everywhere) and then see how much you would have to spend to obtain the same quantity of the product. So have a look to see how many burgers your savings will allow, although we hope you’ll be slightly more adventurous on the food front while you’re a working traveller in the UK!


Cost of Living in the UK
 

We can conclude that in General some things are more expensive in the UK and some things are cheaper and it sometimes depends on how you look at it. With most goods, you can expect them to cost the same in pounds as they do in dollars, ie. cd cost $13.99 in US, and costs IRO £13.99 in the UK, but if you consider the exchange rate, you’re paying over $20 for a cd here. This is not always the case, and things are improving as consumers are demanding to pay the same as other countries. One area in which the UK costs are terrible is petrol (gasoline) prices. They’re currently near £1 per litre. That’s near £4 per gallon, with exchange rate near $7.00 per gallon! These prices are largely due to tax.


Prices in general: milk : 87p per 2 litres; bread : 45-75p per loaf; eggs : £1.39 per doz; gas/petrol(sky high for the taxes) Petrol : 93p per litre, Diesel : 81p per litre (5 litres to a gallon); cigarettes : £4.50 pack of 20, give or take 50p depending on your brand of choice; you’ll find utility prices discussed elsewhere in the site (Home and Housing).

One University site states: “In total, for a full year, a single student will need about £7500 - £9500 (2000 figures) to meet the basic expenses of living in London (excluding tuition fees). A couple will need about £12000 - £15000 a year, with at least an extra £2000 per year for each child. " That might give you some idea.

While it’s important to be aware of the costs you will be facing as a working traveller, don’t let it put you off! As long as you plan carefully and think about cost-saving strategies the cost of living in England or the rest of the UK need not be prohibitive. In the UK, shared housing and utilising the excellent public transport networks are two significant ways to reduce your costs of living.
 
Here is a break down of some of the costs that you will incurred.
 Accomodations, Entertainment, Transportation  and Food Costs
 
Average Cost of Accommodation in London


Flat-Share Rental per month One Bedroom Flat Rental per month

East London £290 - £390 (single), £430 - £600 (double) East London £650 - £750

West London £280 - £430 (single), £459 - £690 (double) West London £700 - £800

South London £280 - £500 (single), £350 - £650 (double) South London £600 - £700

North London £300 -£400 (single), £430 - £550 (double) North London £650 - £750



UK cost of Food & Drink

Average weekly grocery bill (including food, basic laundry and toiletry items for 2 people) £60

Average pub meal £6 - £10

Average restaurant meal £12 - £20

Pint of beer £2.50 - £3

Average bottle of wine £10

Average meal for two in mid-priced restaurant £40



UK cost of Transportation

Weekly Zone 1-6 Travelcard £41

Monthly Zone 1-2 Travelcard £86

Train trip to Edinburgh £110 (standard single)

Train trip to Cambridge / Brighton £17 - £20 (single)

Avg mid-sized car rental for a weekend £70

Return budget flight to Spain £120 - £150 (budget carrier)

Eurostar return ticket to Paris £125 (standard class)

Return flight to Ireland £50 - £60 (budget carrier)



UK cost of Entertainment

Movie £7-£10

West End Theatre £25+

Club/Pub Entry £5 - £20

Live music/concerts £10+

Chart CDs £8 - £12

New release DVD rental £3.50

Monday, June 28, 2010

ARTICLE: How to Help International Starters (by HCL's Meaghan Roland)




HCL's Meaghan Rowland explains how managers and HR directors can integrate new team members. Please click the link below:
http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2010/06/18/114747/quality-in-practice-how-to-help-international-starters.htm

Accommodation Options in UK? Where am I going to live ?


There are some accommodation options to consider when relocating to the UK. HCL is not a relocation service and we do not find you accommodations, but we can offer some advice to get you started. To start, you must consider short-term vs. long-term accommodation. Short-term accommodation can be a 1-3 month stay at a flat (apartment), friend's house, hostel or hotel. Long-term accommodation would be signing a 3+ month lease on a flat or apartment. There are two options to consider when deciding which route to go:

1. Secure short-term accommodation, until you find something long-term. Many people stay at a cheap hotel or hostel for the first few months while searching for long-term accommodation

2. Find long-term accommodation before you land. Will be a little more difficult since landlords can be reluctant to sign a lease with someone overseas with a promise of arriving. If you have a friend or family member in the UK, they can easily help secure a flat on your behalf. There are also services available that will find you accommodations within 24 hours of arriving in the UK. There is a cost for this service, usually the equivalent of a month's rent. One service is www.londonrelocationservices.com

Here are some other tips and pointers to consider:

Do you have family or friends in the UK? If yes, see if you can "bunk" at their place until you find long-term accommodations. It is cheaper on the wallet

Dig through the UK classifieds websites for flats. Don't be afraid to contact the landlords/owners to inquire about renting. The best site is http://www.gumtree.com/

Join networks and try to connect with other Canadians or Americans that are already working in the UK. Maybe they know of someone who has a room

Consider getting a shared-flat. A shared flat is simply a multi bedroom house or apartment shared by 2 or more people. You will have roommates, share the facilities, share chores, share cooking etc., but it is much cheaper than getting a place all your own.

Most rented flats in the UK are already furnished.

Are you close to transportation? If you have a car, you don't really have to worry about this. But for the rest, you should consider living within walking distance to work or be close to the bus or subway line.

When you are searching for accommodations, use the same thought process you would if you were looking for a place in your home country. Ask the same questions, consider the same issues and explore your options.

For more information about accommodations, please go to http://www.workgateways.com/uk-essentials-live-additional.html

Monday, May 10, 2010

QSWs and the Blogs They Write

Last time on my blog I wrote about ex-pat blogs that help me escape from the mundane everyday existence that I sometimes find myself dwelling upon. This next round of links is another form of escapism, but they focus more on the experience of QSWs (Qualified Social Workers) residing in the UK. Some are ex-pats, some are British Natives. Each of them describe work and life experiences that help to inform my own soon-to-be adventures overseas.
  • Fighting Monsters is a British Social Worker who works on an over 65s community mental health team. She holds the designation of an AMHP (Approved Mental Health Professional) and a BIA (Best Interests Assessor). She writes often about social policy in the UK, as well as her experience in this particular field.
  • Life Across the Pond aka Wanderlust, is a blog by Melissa. She is a Canadian (from the GTA) studying Law in London, and as a part-time job works in social care. She's not a QSW, but her experience is helpful in preparation for the professional adventure. She is a Key Worker (Case Manager) for adults in recovery from addictions.
  • Livin The Dream: An American Expat in London. Julie is, as you can tell, an American QSW in London. She has her Masters in Social Work and, when not being affronted by tumbling rats, works as a Social Worker for a school board in London.
  • Social Worker-to-be - as the by-line says, "The musings of a British social work student."
  • The Masked AMHP is a Social Worker and AMHP (Approved Mental Health Professional) working in a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) in England. (In English (and Welsh) law (Scotland is different again), if it is considered that someone needs to receive assessment or treatment in hospital for serious mental disorder and they are not willing or able to make that decision for themselves, two doctors need to make recommendations for a person to be detained, but the final decision rests with the AMHP, who is explicitly not a doctor, but can be a social worker, mental health nurse, clinical psychologist or occupational therapist. - from her About section.)
  • Yohabloespanglish's Blog is written by an American Social Worker who is awaiting her Visa, and in the meantime working in CP as a volunteer Social Worker.
C'est tous pour ce moment. I like signing up to have new posts emailed to my inbox, but that's your call, folks.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Youth Mobility Visa Applicants Experience and Practicum Experience and Are they related Does it matter? Some Valuable tips for people starting this journey

There has been many questions with regards to the discipline you practice as a Social Worker, the experience you need in order to work there and the Visa eligibility and how all factors are correlated or affect each other one way or the other. Although there are many different scenarios we typically brake it into  4 different type of applicants that we can assist in this exciting journey of working in the United Kingdom as a Social Worker, today I'm going to talk about the Youth Mobility Visa applicants.

Youth Mobility Visa Applicants: This are qualified Social Workers or in some case unqualified Social Workers that are commonwealth citizens (from countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Monaco who are 30 or under. If you qualify for this visa we do encourage you to have some experience/ or recent practicum experience before you go. This is going to play a main factor in finding you a role. (We are not saying you need to have 6 years of experience, with a 1 year of a recent practicum or even 1 year of work experience we  can totally help you find a good role in the UK)

 If you qualify for this Visa..you have great opportunities and advantages...This visa is great because it gives you the opportunity to work in the UK for 2 years and also explore Europe. Our experience has been that it's fairly easy to get as long as you qualify;  from a timing perspective it takes between 15-30 days to get a response back from your closest UK consulate. You can work there in a permanent role or temporary roles you have great advantage and flexibility compared to other work permit visa holders; for example in some cases youth mobility applicants decide to work seasonally and they can work on a 3 month contract and then take a month off to explore Europe! After they come back from their Euro trip, we can find another role in a location of preference. There many opportunities on a contract basis, so this is something totally doable!

Stick with one Discipline:

If your qualify for this visa , it would be a "key" factor that your experience is relevant to the discipline you choose to stay with for example if you are a newly qualified Social Worker and you have done your practicum in Child Welfare we encourage you to be open to Child Welfare roles...because that is what you will be in most of the cases considered for,and  you have to think ahead, although you might not have completely enjoyed your practicum! You want to stick with something that is going to allow you to transition into your "ideal" role and pay off in the future.

 In the case of "unqualified Social Workers" not that we are trying to say you are unqualified, (we know you are properly trained to do you your job)  it's just a term used in the UK for describing applicants who don't hold a degree in BSW or a MSW therefore they cannot be registered with the GSCC.  For example some one with a BA in Psychology and a SW Diploma with 2 plus years of relevant experience ( type of roles available managing a caseload in foster care/ working as a youth transition worker) you will be looking at opportunities in "Social Care" for more information about the roles please visit: http://www.socialcarecareers.co.uk/
If this is your case, we do encourage you have relevant experience, since you are going to be competing with Social Care Workers in the UK you need to also have relevant experience in the area of your chosen discipline.
If you are a recent grad and you have no experience in Social Work and you fall under this unqualified category, we don't encourage you to go the UK. Even though you might qualify for the Youth Mobility Visa, you need to get at least 1 year of relevant experience before you. Since you are going to be competing with the British grads and it will make your job search a little bit more challenging. Our advise in this case is Get Experience before you go! It's going to be easier to help you find a role with some relevant experience, plus you will be in advantage to the recent grads in the UK since you have some relevant experience and this will give you more advantage!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Jen On Learning About QSW Culture Across the Pond Part I

I'm the first to admit that I'm no expert on Social Work in the UK. With a trip overseas - to work in the field - just around the corner, I've made it my mission to learn more about what to expect when I start working over yonder.

My research started last fall, when I first made contact with HCL. I was referred through the Australian division (don't ask how my email ended up there; I'm not really sure how that happened) to Dave in the HCL Canada office, and I was soon surrounded by application forms. Many, many application forms. It was somewhat overwhelming and I had a lot of questions. Although Dave had answers to everything, I wanted more. More I say! I asked to speak with other HCL candidates, and was put in touch with B, who had recently returned to Canada after four years spent working as a QSW in London.
B was great - still is great, in fact. Every time I write her an email, she replies quickly with a no-nonsense answer. She told me that she travelled to the UK on her own immediately after completing her BSW, and on arrival she worked for Hackney in CP, but very quickly chose an alternate demographic. B ended up working three other jobs before she returned to Canada, and she said she chose HCL because they had the most variety and best social work jobs.

Then I found Julie - an American MSW now working in London. Julie had a rough go at first; not eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme, she had to find an employer who would agree to sponsor her for a VISA. After a few trying months, it seems that everything has worked out. Julie didn't want to work in CP, so she set out to find a different type of social work role. She's now working for Tower Hamlets as a School Social Worker. You can read about her experiences on her blog. Julie has also been a huge source of information for me during this process - filling me in on social work roles and interview tips.
I've found some other social workers through my online trolling, and in my next entry to Traveling Social Workers, I'll briefly share what I learned from them.
Until then, I bid you farewell!

Jen

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Social Work Podcast- Interviews HCL Social Care About working abroad.

Recently we had the opportunity to be interviewed by The Social Work Podcast, a blog that shares information about many Social Work topics. David Dininio, Recruitment Manager for HCL North America had the opportunity to share more information about the process and the requirements of working internationally as a Social Worker in the UK. There are some of you out there may think that working abroad is very remote idea,something not very tangible and maybe just a very distant dream!

Thi podcast talks about the process and how it can be done, we hope that it can help you answer some of your questions and give you some perspective and tick your travel bug!

In this globalized world, Your perfect world is closer thant you Think...

Here is the Link to the Podcast:

 http://socialworkpodcast.blogspot.com/2010/04/so-you-want-to-work-abroad-interview.html



Thursday, April 8, 2010

A Wandering Social Worker

I was first introduced to the idea of overseas social work while studying for my BSW a few years ago. The thought of living and working in an entirely different city, country - even continent - was very exciting, but also incredibly frightening for this small-town girl. I had decided to stick with my small-town existence with the goal of working in Children's Mental Health for our community branch of Children's Services. Then, life happened the way it is inclined to do, and I was faced with the opportunity to run away. In 2008 I spent a few months in Ireland - at the time a difficult period of my life - which prepared me for my new life... wanderer!

International social work practice gives me the opportunity to earn money, see the world, and have new experiences, and the idea has crossed my mind several times since, but only recently have I overcome the fear of the somewhat-intimidating paperwork. GSCC applications, reference forms, employment histories, extensive Curriculum Vitaes (gosh their resumes are different in the UK); all previously acted as a great excuse to not proceed with these plans. But not any more.



My name is Jenni-Raie Merritt, and I am a Canadian-trained Social Worker.  I have completed my Competency Interview, submitted my GSCC application, and am counting down the months until I leave for London-Town. Dave has been a big help in this process, and I am excited to be a contributor to this Traveling Social Worker blog. I have been following blogs of a variety of ex-pats in London, but there aren't a lot of social workers documenting their time; hopefully this blog will serve to fill in that gap.

You can follow me on my own blog, She Went Away where I chronicle my travels to places like Ireland and France and through life... and the QSW application process!

See you around,

JR

New Changes in Visa UK Visa processes

New rules for Tier 1 and Tier 2, and other changes to the Immigration Rules

On 6 April the government will make significant changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based system. It will also amend the Immigration Rules covering asylum seekers, English language qualifications and marriage visas for members of the Armed Forces.
The government has accepted changes to Tier 1 recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), and has set out details of how it will implement the MAC's recommended changes to Tier 2.
The changes include new points criteria for both tiers, a simpler route for very highly skilled workers without Master's degrees, greater flexibility for short-term transfers by multinational companies, and more protection against the use of such transfers to fill long-term vacancies that should go to resident workers.
The changes were announced today by Borders and Immigration Minister Phil Woolas, who said:
'We've always said that we would run our immigration system for the benefit of the UK, and that is what we are doing.
'The changes that we are making today will build on an already robust system which is now the envy of the world. A strength of the points-based system is the flexibility to predict and respond to events.
'By utilising the flexibility of the points-based system, we are now ensuring that only those that we need to come to the UK to work can do so.
'I will continue to ensure that immigration does not act as a disincentive for employers to employ and improve the skills of the British workforce.'

The changes are included in the latest Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, which was laid before Parliament today.
The other changes to the Immigration Rules include:


■revised provisions governing English language qualifications for migrants who are applying for permanent residence, to ensure that those relying on qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) will study at accredited colleges, and to clarify the progression that migrants are required to demonstrate before they can apply for permanent residence;

■changes to prevent asylum applicants from claiming humanitarian protection if there are serious reasons for considering that they have engaged in undesirable behaviour;

■clarified interview procedures for unaccompanied children seeking asylum;

■removal of a requirement for asylum seekers to be asked to sign the interview record, as other safeguards are in place;

■lowering the marriage visa age to 18 for serving members of the Armed Forces and their partners, recognising partners' role in supporting those on the front line and reflecting the unique circumstances in which the Armed Forces operate; and

■adding Monaco to the Youth Mobility Scheme.

The Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules will be incorporated into a consolidated version of the Immigration Rules. You can find copies of all the Statements of Changes in Immigration Rules issued since May 2003 in the Policy and law section of this website.
The changes will come into effect on 6 April and 7 April 2010. Applications that are made before the new rules come into effect will be considered under the rules in place on the date of the application.
Migrants who want to apply in person should note that the date of their application is the date when they go to the public enquiry office. Applicants should consider this when they book an appointment.
You can download a statement of policy setting out the changes to Tier 1 and Tier 2, and the written ministerial statement regarding changes to the Immigration Rules, from the right side of this page.
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/255022/46-new-rules-for-t1-t2-and-ir

Friday, March 12, 2010

HCL International will be attending ACSW Conference

HCL Social Care International at the ACSW Conference  from March 18  to March 20th, 2010.



Dave Dininio, Recruitment Manager for North America and myself will be attending the ACSW Conference that will take place in Edmontron Alberta next week.


The 2010 ACSW Conference in Edmonton provides a venue for sharing fresh ideas and approaches for social workers working in a variety of settings all across Alberta. Seen the profession as separate and distinct from other professions, and wish to enhance our understanding of the Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and the Health Professions Act.


Practice Area Child Welfare, Children & Youth, Family Violence , Mental Health, Elderly Care


HCL Social Care International will be meeting and greeting with Qualified Social Workers from different practice areas at the ACSW Conference, from March 18th to March 20th 2010.


If you are attending the Conference, don't forget to stop by our stand.
We would love to meet you and hear from you! .


Some of the topics we will be discussing with interested applicants:


-How to get the process rolling?

-How long does the process take?

-Visa Elegibility

-Qualifications and Credential

-Areas of Speciality and experience

-The Social Work Job Market in the UK and Australia

-The Jobs
-Training and Courses offered by HCL

-Social work legislation in the UK





For more information send us a message at careers@hclsocialcare.ca

An Interview with one of our succesful Applicants!

HCL Social Care recently interviewed one of our Social worker applicants, Tamara S. about her experience in the process of relocating to the UK and the assistance we provided to her.
She has succesfully moved into her new role in the London Area! And this is what she had to say when follow up with her!



HCL:What made you decide to use HCL? Did you use any other recruitment agencies, if so why?



Candidate: A consultant from HCL contacted the office I was working in looking for people interested in working in the UK. When I spoke with her, she was really helpful, so the decision was easy.


I have not used any other agencies.


HCL Social Care :What sort of information were you provided before you move to the UK? Was this sufficient? Helpful? What other information could be useful?


Candidate:  Both my  Northamerican consultant and UK consultant provided me with a lot of information. The main information I was worried about at that time was: would I get a job and how long would it take. I was told by my UK consultant I would be working within 2 weeks of arriving and I was.


I was also provided with information about pay rates, using i4, what other benefits I could expect,what clothes would be acceptable to wear for work, etc.


I had travelled quite a lot so I did not have many questions about that side of the move, but I would expect people who haven't travelled may need some basic information like how to get into London from the airport, details of the Tube, etc.
Other information that may have been useful is the requirements to secure rental accommodation.
Both consultants were very helpful and made me feel very comfortable in asking questions.


HCL Social Care: How did you find the candidate service in the office? How can it be improved?


Candidate: I always found my consultant very responsive. I cannot think of any improvements to suggest.

HCL Social Care: How did you find the candidate service in the UK office? How can it be improved?


Candidate: My consultant has been fantastic. She has kept in regular contact with me and even followed up with me after I started work. She has made it very clear I can phone her any time which offers rel security when you are travelling on your own and trying to set up in a new country. She is a fantastic ambassador for the company and I could not think of anything that requires improvement. She is a real asset to the business and I would not hesitate in recommending her to anyone.


HCL Social Care: Were you confident about finding work before you arrived? How easily did you secure employment in the UK? Was the job you were placed in suitable? Are you happy with the location and pay rate?


I was worried but my consultants kept ensuring me everything would be OK. I am a person that requires significant security and felt the move without having a definite job to go to a real challenge. My consultants supported me through this (otherwise I would not have come).


I had one interview and secured that job on a three month contract with the possibility of extension. I am very happy with the location and know the pay rate is very good. I have only been in the job a week but am really enjoying it.


HCL Social Care: Please summarize your general experience with dealing with HCL.


I have been very comfortable with both consultants and have found them to be very helpful and understanding. As stated previously, if it were not for their manner and support, I would probably have pulled out on coming over. I have been extremely satisfied with the service and have passed HCL's details on to other people. I would not hesitate in recommending the service to anyone.
 

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

March is Social Work month. This year’s Social Work Month celebration showcases the expertise and dedication of professional social workers in helping to improve community life

At HCL Social Care! We love Social Workers and we assist them achieving their career goals,
Let's Celebrate the Social Worker Month by recognizing their  continuous efforts and contributions to the Society:
  • Social workers inspire community action to improve lives.
  • Social workers are integral parts of a vibrant community.
  • Social workers know the full range of challenges facing families of every description.
  • Social workers advocate for inclusion, fairness and non-discriminatory access to services that help people reach their full potential.
  • Social workers make a wide range of social contributions throughout their careers.
  • Many social workers work to resolve systemic issues that negatively affect a community. Some work in education or research, and others work as elected officials, in government or as heads of nonprofit organizations to create positive sustainable change in communities.
  • Most social workers serve individuals and families. Working through private practices, agencies and organizations, they provide resources and guidance that support social functioning.
  • People who become professional social workers believe that there are no limits to human potential and use their talents to help others lead rewarding lives.
  • Social work is a profession of hope, grounded in practical problem solving expertise.
  • Social work is a desirable field of study for bright and socially engaged people of all ages.
  • Professional social workers have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree in social work from a program or school of social work.
  • Social workers are employed in schools, courtrooms, drug treatment clinics, hospitals, senior centers, shelters, nursing homes, the military, disaster relief, prisons and corporations
  • Social work is relevant to the successful functioning of Global Society
  • Social workers are on the frontlines, developing social programs that are responsive to such human needs as homelessness, poverty, family break-up , mental illness, physical and mental disability, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence and many other issues.
 Happy Social Workers Week to All of You!

What is the GSCC?


The GSCC is the regulatory body for Social Workers in the United Kingdom. It's a non-departamental body that promotes and sets standards for qualified social workers ensuring that all workers in the Social Care sector adhere to high professional standards in the UK.
It's an Arm's lenght body sponsored by the UK Department of Health.
Any social worker that wants to work in England as a qualfied social worker must be registered with the GSCC.


The GSCC was set up in 2001 further to the Care Standards Act 2000, which was enacted partly in response to criticisms in the late 1990s of social services in Britain, in particular the high-profile case of Victoria ClimbiƩ, a young girl who was abused and eventually killed by her relatives in north London despite having been known to local social services. The GSCC inherited the mantle of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW), a previous body which had responsibility solely for managing and funding Social Work education. The GSCC was given a broader remit to take a lead not only in education but in the strategic development and promotion of the whole social care sector in Britain.


A major responsibility of the GSCC and other councils is the maintenance of a professional register of Social Workers.


 From 1 April 2005 it became a criminal offence to claim to have the title Social Worker without proper qualifications. Social Workers are required to renew their registration every three years, and to undertake a certain amount of professional training and learning during each three-year registration period. In this way the GSCC hopes to raise the standards and reputation of the social care UK workforce.


How to register?


If you are a social worker that is applying outside of the UK, you can download and application form at:
http://www.gscc.org.uk/The+Social+Care+Register/Apply+for+registration/Social+workers+trained+and+qualified+outside+the+UK/Qualifications+-+post+Oct+2008.htm


The qualification equivalency and the assessment criteria, for social workers trained and qualified outside the UK is the degree in social work. This change came into effect from 1 October 2008. If you apply to the register application  they will be assessed using the new equivalency.


To apply to the register from 1 October 2008, download the following application form, guidance notes and supporting documents.


Before you do ensure you have reviewed the country assessment guidance ( you can donwload it from the page) to identify whether your qualification will meet the qualification and assessment criteria.







Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The UK Social Work Job Market!

As any qualified Social Worker can attest, Social Work is a demanding but rewarding career choice. The UK offers challenges even greater than you may have experienced thus far in your career. Coupled with these challenges, however, are rewards and experiences which you will not find elsewhere. Opportunities for overseas-trained Social Workers in the UK have never been better. The industry is getting a lot of positive attention as it grows to become more regulated, more effective and more highly regarded.
The UK is in great need of qualified individuals with great work ethic, energy and a positive outlook. Read on and learn how to prepare for your UK trip – including how to register with the Social Work industry’s governing body, the GSCC, for work in England. Don’t forget to apply to jobs and register with us before you plan to travel to the UK.


What types of social work jobs are available in the UK?
The shortage of UK Social Workers
While the UK has implemented a new qualification program in an effort to boost UK-trained Social Worker numbers – this has resulted in only a moderate increase in qualified British candidates. As such, there remain numerous, quality positions for overseas Social Workers planning to gain some UK experience. The opportunities for Qualified Social Workers Both short and longer term contracts as well as permanent UK Social Work jobs are available through specialist UK Social Work recruitment agencies.
Industry sectors where placements are usually available:
Children’s services Elderly Care Mental Health Young Offenders Drugs and Alcohol Adults & Children with disabilities


Structure of Social Care industry in England
While the employer of most Social Workers in England is the government, vacancies also exist within charitable organisations from time to time. Social Work recruitment agencies handle all types of Social Work positions. Local government in England consists of County Councils which are located outside of London. Inside of London, government is divided up into ‘Borough Councils’. There are 33 Borough Councils in London. Usual responsibilities for UK Social Workers: manage your caseload working out of various government institutions (such as police stations, hospitals, municipal offices), ensure adherence to new legislative procedures, report writing, and attending case conferences.
How much can I expect to earn as a Social Worker in the UK?

In general, Social Workers in the UK are paid very well. According to the Department of Health’s - ‘Social Work Careers Page’, a newly qualified Social Worker can expect approximately £17,200 (slightly more in London) per year. With time and experience your rate can rise to £28,000+ per year. These rates are for permanent positions and vary depending on employer.
Many overseas Social Workers arriving in the UK will be hired onto fixed-term or ongoing contract positions. Rates vary widely according to the employer however a guideline is £18 to £26 per hour depending on the position and your experience.
These rates are generous and will afford the average UK working traveler a comfortable life in the UK with extra money for traveling and a good possibility of building up some savings.

Social Workers on the Go!

The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being.

At HCL Social Care International we understand the impact of Social Workers and we partner and assist them in expanding their careers and experience and bringing out their passion and support to multiple communities in the UK.