Work Environment
Social Workers typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos & Interviews
Naoise Pye, Social Care Worker
After completing the Leaving Cert, Naoise completed a 1 year course in Early Childhood and Education. She then went to Carlow College and completed a BA Degree in Applied Social Studies and Social Care. Now working in a residential unit in St Michael's House, she works to enhance, develop and support goals for people with an Intellectual disability.
Videos on the Web
- Social Worker- from: Youtube Search
- Social Care Workers - from: YouTube Video
The Work
Social workers work with individuals and groups that are referred to as clients.
Clients that a social worker may work with include: ethnic groups, young and adult offenders, children, families, travellers, older people, homeless people, unemployed people, those with drug and alcohol problems.
Some social workers specialise in specific areas dealing with individuals suffering from HIV/Aids, or those suffering mental health problems or a disability. Social workers often work as part of a team covering a geographical area.
Some of the activities social workers engage in on a daily basis could include some or all of the following:
- Using a range of skills with clients- e.g. counselling
- Using a range of preventative supports to help clients - e.g. family support services, family centres and neighbourhood youth projects
- Intervening in crisis situations - e.g. neglect, abuse
- Protecting children in "at-risk" situations
- Helping clients deal with practical issues - e.g. investigating entitlements regarding housing
- Working with other professionals, such as psychologists, doctors, childcare workers, gardai
- Helping to facilitate support groups and working within the community - e.g. drop-in centres
- Talking to solicitors, preparing evidence and attending court, in relation to clients
- Providing training to social work students and other professionals
- Researching into social work and social policy
Further Information
- Social Worker - from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Social Worker - from: GradIreland
- Social Worker - from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Social Worker - from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Social Worker - from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Social Worker - from: GradIreland
Qualities - Social Worker
As a social worker, you must be committed to working with people and helping them to solve their problems. You must have a sympathetic and caring nature, as well as the ability to empathise with clients and to win the trust of people from all kinds of backgrounds.
Good communication skills are very important. You should be able to listen carefully, and ask the right questions to find out more about the client's needs. Report writing is an essential skill; you are also quite likely to need some basic IT skills to produce your reports.
Social workers must be observant, able to read situations and identify problems. Although you should try to be non-judgemental and avoid imposing solutions, you must also be able to make difficult decisions and enforce the law. You must be firm, and able to act quickly and calmly, for example, if you think a child is at risk from abuse or neglect.
You will also need strong negotiating skills, not just when you work with clients but also to arrange support services from other local authority departments or private agencies.
This career can be emotionally and intellectually demanding. People may be hostile, and see you as an interfering 'do-gooder' with no right to get involved in their lives. You must be resilient and not become burdened by the problems you encounter. You must also be able to defuse potential confrontations, using a calm, firm professional manner.
You must be able to manage and prioritise your own workload. You should have good team skills, to work closely with other professionals.
Many social workers are part of a team, depending on their employer and the area of social work they are employed in. For example, you may work with doctors, nurses, psychologists, probation officers, residential care assistants and the police.
Travel throughout the local area is usual, therefore a full driving licence can be a requirement of the job.
Interests - Social Worker
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry - Social Worker
Training & Development Pathways
FET Centre Traineeship: Youthwork, Special Needs with Intellectual Studies, Health Service Skills, Social and Community Care at NFQ Level 5 Search our FET Coursefinder
FET PLC Courses: Social studies, Applied Social Studies, Applied Social Studies with PsychologyArts and Social Science - Pre University, Criminology & Social Studies, Health and Social Studies - Advanced, Psychology & Social Studies, Psychology with Social Care , Psychosocial Awareness & Training, Applied Psychology, Community Care at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder
Apprenticeship: Social Work Apprenticeship NFQ level 9 Search Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO Entry: Social Care Work, Social Science - Youth & Community Work, Social Work - Mature, Social Studies (Social Work), Community & Addiction Studies NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder
Undergraduate Entry
A Bachelor's degree which combines professional social work training - there are 2 programmes available:
- Bachelor of Social Studies (BSS), at TCD
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), UCC.
Postgraduate training is not required currently for holders of these Degrees.
Professional Development
Postgraduate Study Options Social Work, Social Work Studies NFQ level 9
IASW Irish Assoc of Social Workers
Last Updated: August, 2023
Pay & Salary - Social Worker
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €40k - €76k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.
Data Source(s):
HSE.ie/ Gov.ie/ PAS
Last Updated: July, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Social Worker
This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment growth for this occupation was slightly below average, with employment declining slightly between 2021 and 2022. The share of non-Irish citizens at 29% is higher than the national average. A small number of new employment permits were issued in 2022 for social workers. Approximately 1,300 awards were made in 2021 at level 8 or higher in the broad social work field.
A report in 2022 by the Irish Association of Social Workers identified retention of social workers to be a key issue, particularly in areas of child protection and adult safeguarding. Despite issues with recruitment and retention of suitably qualified social workers remaining, the data does not currently point to a shortage.
Useful Contacts - Social Worker
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Health Service Executive (HSE)
- Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
- 041 685 0300
- Click Here
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Public Appointments Service
- Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
- (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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Irish Association of Social Workers
- 114-116 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
- (01) 677 4838
- Click Here
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CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals
- Infinity Building, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y
- (01) 293 3160
- [email protected]/ [email protected]/ [email protected]
- Click Here
