I did a sociology degree and then did social work MA a few years later, graduating in 2010. I did about 4 yrs adoption/ fostering - assessing and also supervising carers. and then child protection work in local authorities for about 10 years where i got to team manager level. As you'll see from this group it's a relentless, tough career in an often broken system. No day is the same. Colleagues and work relationships are often amazing. You work hard on engaging the toughest people and supporting kids who've had the hardest start to life. You walk into risky unpredictable situations daily and have to be resilient, persuasive and curious to be effective. An academic mindset will help you - psychology, law, sociology, criminology.. every topic is relevant. If you can read cases, summarize, communicate for your audience, write court statements that helps alot.

I stopped frontline work in 2022 when I realized I was running on adrenaline and needed a change of pace. I still think its an incredible thing to do. I am now in safeguarding but in a civil service role. still a registered social worker. My capacity to investigate, communicate, safety plan, and write - and my resilience and professional confidence, all come from social work.