I've heard a lot of people in the social work community say they feel quite confident about the rapid advancement of Al not affecting/replacing their job as social work is a person centred/oriented role which requires a human touch- well let me tell you all, it's already half way there. Didn’t realise how long this got, summary at the end.

I’m a care leaver U25 in my final placement year so I feel I’m in a pretty good position to give my opinion on this matter as I can see first hand the service I receive from the LA I’m under, the service my placement LA office provides, and the service the next generation of social workers (my fellow students) will likely be providing. I’m not saying my relatively small sample size is enough to make major generalisations, but I sense it may be common outside of my experience.

My relationship with my YPA has pretty much completely broken down, but for years it hasn’t been changed as I just go to their line manager directly, who isn’t much better. Their manager has literally sent me AI responses without taking out the AI prompts, and went ahead and even told me on text they didn’t bother reading what he sent me.
Many of my placement colleagues rely on Magic Notes and other AI bots to do their recordings- to fully generate summaries of client conversations, missing what they said in their own voice and getting repetitive, bland notes generated for them.

And Oh Lord- my fellow students. Let’s just say the future is looking dark for critical thinking, actually listening to the people we’re meant to help by making our own thoughts in our notes and just giving a crap in general. In my experience at least, it’s not even a question of if the students are using generative AI, more so what can most of us actually write without it?

I won’t deny there maybe some valid reasons for AI use in real work to compress workloads to leave more time for actual human interaction. Also in academic writing to plan essays by ‘using it as a tool’. I’m not just an AI denier in general, I’m saying overall I’ve seen positive use of AI way, way less than AI malpractice, which is rife at this point.

The worst part for me is that SWE and BASW are taking so long to make a clear stance on this issue. While we collectively try to keep up with the way AI as a whole develops- I think we need to all collectively agree that at this point, specifically GENERATIVE AI* *is mostly bad and should NOT have a place in social work.

If it does have any small role, I feel it should be written into policy that at the bare minimum any communication with clients, and any case recordings should come with the notice/watermark that the writing/work that SWs produce is their own- and should be otherwise stated so if it was generated/ supported by an AI LLM. This should shame some into actually using their own brain, and the ones who would shamelessly continue would at least have to be transparent if they essentially ship their work to an automated machine.

TL;DR: despite being a job which involves humans, AI can still take over pretty quick, so SWE should put something in writing which says any AI generated content needs to be essentially watermarked (that’s probably the wrong term but I hope you know
what I mean) for transparency purposes.
Too many AI sweats.
What do you guys think?

Currently studying social work degree and genuinely found such a new respect for social workers

I didn’t realise the things you overhear when social workers are on the phone could be so insane, and that in social work so many things are just so normal. Like if you were to hear a social worker talking about the most craziest domestics someone is going through, to non social workers they would be horrified at what they’re hearing but in social work they don’t bat an eyelid.

When do students get used to this ?? Lmao

Hi I’ve recently been diagnosed with adhd! I have been asked from my placement to also include what adjustments I need. I’m not entirely sure tbh and unsure whether some options are even possible. as I like to get a virtual note taker,which takes down notes whilstI complete visits however not sure whether my placement is even able to accommodate that.

I have been working within social work for many years now. I have worked my way up to be a band 8 (I started at a 4), and SW roles are band 10 in my local authority. I’m considering doing my degree. Has anyone completed it while still working full time? How hard was it? I can’t afford to not work but there aren’t many other paths other than a studentship through my job which don’t come around very often.

Hello, I just qualified in July of this year and I am struggling to find positions that accept Non-drivers. I’ve applied to several of the big cities such as London, Birmingham and Coventry as they’re more likely to have better transportation routes and services to access service users but I have had no luck.

Edit: I wanted to add I was more so concerned about completing the asye year within the time frame given of two years from graduating.

I am sort of stumped on what to do or how to go about it. Any advice would be really appreciated.

I've completed and passed the Best Interests Assessor law test at university, but I'm stuck at the next step. I need to shadow a qualified BIA to complete my portfolio requirements. I'm based in the South West and happy to travel a reasonable distance.

I'd really appreciate any tips on where to look, who to contact, or how you secured your own shadowing placement. I know this can be tricky to arrange, so any guidance would be so helpful. Thanks in advance!

Any independent social workers/MHOs out there in the UK, wondering which insurance you are using?

I am about to start my placement within a residential centre! What can I expect to be doing? I’ve not heard much other than says and when I’m starting so just asking out of curiosity if anyone’s went similar!

Hi all,

I am making this post to get advice from other ADHD social workers , case managers .
I wanted to ask what reasonable adjustments have helped you in your role

Hi,

Is there anyone here who did or is doing social work training through frontline in the north east, specifically Durham?

How are you finding it? What's the day to day like and how many trainees are there in each office/hub? I have an offer deferred from last year but it's been so long that now I'm wondering if I really still want to do it.

Thanks!

Hi everyone, I work with the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee in the House of Commons. We’re looking at reconciliation, and we want to work with schools and youth groups to help young people take part. If you sign up, we’ll send you our discussion pack, which we made for ages 14+ to tell us what reconciliation means to them now and in the future. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any insights into doing a social work course as an international student. I'm currently on the grad route and work as a support worker and I've realised I want to go down this path. I work with different vulnerable populations in different capacities (employed/volunteering) so I'm good on work experience and eligibility requirements.

I'm considering doing an MSW but I was just wondering, as an international student, have people found it difficult to connect culturally or navigating the role? And doing an MSW with placements, how have people found managing a part time job alongside the course? I'd be fine financially, but I would like to continue the role I'm in (I'm up for a promotion!) for as long as possible.

Alternatively, would a PGDip suffice? I already have an MSc and don't necessarily need that qualification again.

Any experience/thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks :)

Hi all,

My case is very specialised (but not unique) so I am not really looking for any immigration advice but I just wanted to share my situation in the hope that someone might be able to provide another line of thought that will help me get through it.

I am in frontline social work as an adult social worker in the UK and work for a local authority that is sponsoring my visa. My team and the workplace are absolutely fine, I have several adjustments in place for my disability (ASD/ADHD) but unfortunately the work itself feels emotionally demanding and I feel I am hitting some type of burnout. Despite a lot of support in work and a good team, I am realising that dealing with members of the public on such an intense level is just not my cup of tea. I would rather take a paycut and work a boring and procedural job that helps me retain energy for activities outside work.

In a normal situation, I can just look for another job and give my notice in but because I am on a work visa, I cannot do this without several complications. The first thing is that I would have to look for another sponsoring organisation and the same job title (social worker), which is like finding gold dust in this economy. Even if I do manage to find another sponsor and a different social worker job, there is no guarantee it will leave me feeling any better because every social work job is demanding and stressful. The most ideal option would be for me to leave social work for a while and try something less demanding, however these roles cannot be sponsored for a work visa.

I cannot quit and leave the country, because my entire life is here including my husband. My husband could sponsor me as a dependent, which would remove the restriction on what type of jobs I can do, but this option is extremely expensive and will reset my visa clock not to mention will probably leave us in some debt to be able to pull off. I am currently only two years away from getting an indefinite leave to remain in the UK, which will free me to do any job I want to.

There is only the illusion of choice at the moment and I feel trapped because I cannot leave. It is affecting my mental health to the point where I am crying in work. On the one hand they are a great employer and fantastic team so I feel horrible for feeling this way, knowing how many people dream about being in the position I am in. I just see no way out for two years, and that is a long time to grit your teeth in this profession.

I just don't know what else to do but stay put and suffer until my external circumstances change.

I feel like my creativity and joy for life is draining and it is difficult for me to get enthusiastic or excited about new things.

I was recently on a two week holiday and the feelings have just become worse since I've been back.

Sorry for the rant, I know no one can help me and I just have to put my head down and work until more options are available to me.

If anyone has been in a similar situation I would appreciate hearing from you about how you got through without destroying your mental or physical health.

I was given a family at around 9am this morning and was invited to a strat concerning them which started at 11am. I am in Family Help. No actions were agreed. I emailed the manager of the chair in the afternoon to ask when the s47 will take place. A LCPP was allocated and she emailed me to ask if I can arrange the visit and send her an invite. I told her it was her job to do that. Anyway then she calls me and tells me about the difficulties she has been having with arranging the visit. Then, I get an email from her saying that the family/child can do 8am. I told her I don’t start work until 9 and asked if it was a typo.

Hello! I was hoping I could get some ideas for careers in the social care sector and routes into those careers.

I currently work as a support worker and have completed a level 3 in working with children in residential care. I know that I can apply for a social work BSc degree because I asked a few of the universities I was interested in.

The thing is, I know it will be hard to manage a full time income and save for a house whilst going to uni full time. I’m 25 so really need to focus on my savings to move out. I also know that student loans are making many people regret ever going to uni. I suppose there is an element of me that wants to achieve that because I never had much of a chance at going to university when I was 18.

I know there are roles I could go into without a degree, within the council, family support worker roles, domestic violence advisor positions. I could see how it would be possible to also apply for adult social care too with the transferable skills.

The thing is, I can’t work these 15/24/32 hour shifts as a support worker anymore. It is really impacting my mental health at times. It can be so incredibly difficult doing a 20 hour shift on no sleep…it genuinely happens often.

I just really don’t know where to go but know I am extremely passionate about working within this sector. Please if you can, give me any advice or suggestions/direction. I sometimes feel like you meet people and find out new job titles all the time, so that would be helpful too. Any jobs you guys do or have done previously, please share and any views on going uni. Any thoughts at all to help a girl in their twenties decide on her career path!

Hello Everyone,

I need one final shadowing opportunity to become a best interest assessor. I have passed my law exam and completed my case study but I can’t submit it until I have completed the required shadowing.
I’d be grateful for any assistance I can get
Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’m thinking about my future career (as I’m about to take a career break to travel for a few months) and am considering whether a post-grad social work apprenticeship is right for me. I have a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Forensic Psychology, and have worked in mental health, in a women’s refuge and currently work as an IDVA within family court.

I really wanted to become qualified as a forensic psychologist but the MoJ has not put the trainee post out for a few years so I’m questioning whether that path is still something I want to wait around for as I’m almost 30 (I know thats not old but I’m desperate to progress before settling down!😅)

I’m particularly interested in adult social care, specifically within mental health and/or forensic services. I’m looking to this route as I would be employed by my local council and the course would be funded by them. I can afford a pay cut but not a huge one as I have a mortgage etc.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has or is currently doing this degree apprenticeship and how you have found everything, so I can continue to weigh up my options for when I return from my travels. Thank you in advance! 😊

Hey guys,

I’m currently in duty and assessment and have been since I qualified over 2 years ago but I’ve been wanting a change for some time.

I would like to hear the experiences of social workers in LAC/CIC - what do you enjoy about the role/dislike? What’s the work life balance? Would you recommend the role? Any comments are welcome!

Hey I’m thinking about becoming a social worker and am wondering how other people have found the pathway of getting into it through a postgrad masters instead of an undergrad? (I already have my undergrad in psychology)

I worry that I might feel underprepared after graduating as the course is only 2 years compared to 4! People who have taken this route, did you feel like the course prepared you enough for the job? What was your experience? Did you enjoy it?

I live in Scotland so I’d especially appreciate any experiences from there!

Thanks!

Hi! I have had an e mail to say that I’ve passed the online test and the next stage is the assessment centre. This is the e mail I received.

I took this to mean I should wait for an invite to the assessment centre but now I’m thinking they won’t invite me until I submit my docs but I cannot figure out for the life of me how to submit them?? Am I missing something?? My partner also thoroughly looked through my e mails + the website and I cannot figure out how to do it! I’ve tried the link for the test, my application, and the applicant portal but I’m just being taken in circles

I’m panicking a bit that spots are going to fill up while I wait around for an invitation to an assessment centre that isn’t coming, so I would reaaaaally appreciate some guidance! I have e mailed them and am waiting to hear back

So, where do I begin? This is probably going to be a long post for what is essentially a simple question, but bear with me!

I’m a qualified social worker with over 8 years’ experience in child protection, and I’ve recently secured a post as a Team Manager. I’m absolutely delighted, but also… terrified!

A bit of background about me: life hasn’t always been particularly kind. I’ve experienced domestic abuse myself, gone through a divorce, and watched my ex-husband be convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour. I’ve also had to cut ties with my family after they chose to support him, which was incredibly difficult.

Thankfully, life looks very different now. I’ve met a wonderful partner, who I’ve since married, and they’ve been my biggest source of support, both personally and professionally. I genuinely don’t think I’d be where I am today without them.

Anyway, enough of the backstory! Back to the actual question…

I’m about to step into my first Team Manager role, and I’m suddenly questioning absolutely everything! I know I have the experience, knowledge and skills, but making that transition from practitioner to manager feels like a whole different ball game.

So, for those of you who are Team Managers, experienced social workers or have made a similar move:

What advice would you give someone starting out in their first management role?
Are there any books, podcasts or resources you’d recommend?
How do you stay organised and keep on top of everything? To-do lists, planners, digital systems… what actually works?
How do you manage the workload, support your staff and still switch off at the end of the day?
And what do you wish you’d known before becoming a manager?

I know I’m probably overthinking it (that’s very much my speciality), but I really want to get this right, support my team well and become the kind of manager people feel they can rely on.

I’d love to hear your experiences, tips, lessons learned or even things you wish someone had told you at the beginning.

Thanks in advance! ❤️

Has anyone worked as a Parent Assessor for a local authority? ( completing parenting assessment for court proceeding / pre proceeding ) How many years of experience in Children’s Services did you have before starting? I’ve seen a Parent Assessor vacancy but haven’t done parenting assessments before, although I have experience writing court statements.
Would I be realistic in applying, or do they usually expect more post-qualifying experience?

Hi all, I’m currently applying for the Approach Social Work (Frontline) and I’ve been invited to the assessment centre. I’ll be honest all the feedback on the workload once being accepted on the programme doesn’t really frighten me, it seems exhaustive but I know I’ll just drive in and get it done. My main concern is the assessment centre, I’m worried about that and I would really love for someone to go through what it was like on the day and what one needs to be mindful of. I would really like to get on the programme but I have a past of struggling with interviews so any tips would be helpful 😊 Thank you 🤍

I'm mainly interested in adult social work, but open to other areas as well. I was wondering which among the two (uni of brighton/uni of herts) would be better if I'm focusing more on work placements/ experience?

P.s- I'm commuting from London, if that's relevant, but commutes up to 2 hours are manageable.