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

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

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