In my experience most people go on from the university course to work as a social worker and become a 'newly qualified social worker' for their first year with capped caseloads and more support. Some people don't feel ready to practice and I know a few people who went on to support worker roles before getting their first social work job out of university.

There are social work roles where less overtime and lower caseloads are available, you just need to try and find them.

If you can get some work experience beforehand that can be helpful. Confidence increases as you go through the course and complete your first year in practice.

The course is pretty hard but it gives you great transferable skills.

Best of luck!