Last month we celebrated Social Work Week. The annual celebration gives us the chance to mark the excellent work being carried out by social workers across Wales, and to thank them for all that they do.
There are almost 7,000 registered social workers in Wales and more than 700 students currently studying to become a social worker.
Social workers are often in roles you can’t see, working with people and families in their own homes and communities.
They support and empower people who are experiencing complex challenges and may be at risk of harm. They help people focus on their strengths and what matters to them and their families.
Social workers uphold the human rights of people who, for different reasons, may need help to speak for themselves. They also have statutory safeguarding duties to protect adults and children.
In all our communities there will be social workers supporting children, adults and families. This could include:
- working with children in foster care or residential child care
- supporting families and children in their own homes
- empowering people with mental health conditions, physical disability or learning difficulties, and people of all ages who use care and support.
It’s a busy, challenging and rewarding role. According to the Welsh Local Government Association (via StatsWales), in 2022 to 2023:
- social services received 416,040 contacts for adults, carers and children in Wales
- 76,315 adults, children and carers had a care and support plan in place.
To become a social worker, you need a degree, and the degree can be studied at undergraduate or postgraduate levels.
Universities across Wales offer social work programmes in partnership with social work services and there’s funding of up to £27,000 to support social work students with the cost of study.
Local authorities across Wales also support people to train and qualify as a social worker.
If you want to improve the lives of people by supporting, empowering and safeguarding the most vulnerable adults and children in society, you can find information about the funding available and how to get into social work on our website.
If you're a social worker or a student social worker, I wanted to say diolch / thank you for the critical work you do to support individuals in all our communities.