Adult Social Workers

Adult social work provides a wide variety of challenging career opportunities, and the freedom to progress and specialise within a number of disciplines.

The combination of extending life expectancy and an ageing population means that the number of over 65s is growing at a much faster rate than those under 65. Over the next 20 years the population aged 65-84 will rise by 39% and those over 85 by 106%.

Local authorities are under increasing pressure and the workforce is responding, keeping ahead of the curve in terms of the skills and support they offer.

Productive and satisfying careers

Social workers know they’re up against it. The workload can be demanding, and helping people live independent lives can be a thankless task, but many social workers build productive and satisfying careers: for them it’s all about the relationships they develop and the sense of achievement at the end of the day. 

For some social workers, the most rewarding part of their role is the face to face contact they have with their clients – their days are rarely dull, and never the same. The rewards might come when you know someone has a place in the residential home they wanted, or when you have achieved the right outcome in a safeguarding case. 

Why do our social workers work in adult services?

When Tina, a senior practitioner in an acute recovery team remembers she has a direct, positive impact on the people she works with, it all makes sense:

“Because people make progress gradually, step by step, it’s not until you have a second to take stock that you can see how far they have come. Those are the times when the day’s to-do list matches up with the great practice we’re all aiming for.” 

“It’s all about positive outcomes. Recently, I’ve been working with a man with very low self-esteem. Together, we explored opportunities to find voluntary roles and get involved in a community allotment. These new outlets have helped his mood improve and given him a real sense of belonging.” 

Of course, there are challenges in adult social work, and often people can feel up against it. For Jonathan, his new role in an adult safeguarding team can seem daunting:  

“Sometimes you think, ‘how am I going to make a difference here?’ Then you start working with someone – just on a very human level – and with your social worker head on, you know you have knowledge and skills which help you listen and provide support. You might need to make hard decisions and stick at it, but the win comes when they don’t need you any longer. That’s a great feeling.” 

Career planning with Pertemps

Whether you’re just starting out in a social work career, are ready for the next step, or keen to develop skills in a specialist area, Pertemps Social Care consultants will be able to help. They will listen to your requirements and aspirations, assess your CV, and work with you to develop a plan you’re happy with. They work with local authorities and employers right across the country to find the qualified social workers they need. 

We have social work roles supporting adults living with physical disability or mental health related needs, with older people and those who need help promoting independence, wellbeing and having control over their lives. 

Adult social work careers are rich, productive and rewarding. There are opportunities in a wide variety of areas:  

• the elderly
• people with learning and physical disabilities
• young offenders
• people with mental health conditions
• drug and alcohol abusers
• the homeless.