Letters have been sent to more than 230 schools urging pupils to say #Yes2SocialWork.
As the Ucas deadline approaches, the Northern Ireland Social Care Council has written to schools to encourage pupils to look at studying for a degree in social work and following a “pathway to finding a fulfilling and rewarding career”.
The organisation delivers a campaign annually on behalf of the Department of Health to promote the benefits of studying social work to teachers, parents and potential social work students.
It says a career in social work is “an ideal journey for anyone who wants to support individuals, families or communities provide, or hoping to effect social change throughout the course of their career”.
Degrees are currently offered at Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, the South West College and the Belfast Metropolitan College.
The Open University also provide the approved degree, with this route requires the sponsorship of a social work employer.
Chief executive Patricia Higgins has written this week to more than 230 post-primary schools in the north to encourage students to look at social work as a degree option.
“It’s not too late for students to say #Yes2socialwork and be part of the next generation in this profession,” she said.
“Studying social work provides the opportunity to work with a wide range of people, groups and communities with diverse backgrounds and there are lots of different settings where social workers are making a difference.
“Examples include supporting children and families, older people, people with disabilities or health concerns, working in therapeutic settings and working in the education, justice or voluntary and community sectors to enable, empower and protect children and adults in need.
“If anyone is still unsure what to put down on their Ucas application we are asking them to consider social work.
“This is an opportunity for young people who care about their community to begin a journey in making a difference to peoples’ lives.”
