Social services careers Volunteer work Getting involved
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The most common opportunities for voluntary work are with voluntary agencies. Statutory bodies such as local authority social services/work departments may also have opportunities. The addresses of volunteer bureaux or councils for voluntary service are listed in telephone directories, public libraries and Citizen Advice Bureaux.
Volunteer Centre Network ScotlandThe Volunteer Centre Network in Scotland is made up of 42 volunteer centres and helps people get involved in volunteering. The centres provide information about a whole range of volunteer opportunities in your local area and beyond. Workwithus.orgA useful website providing links to different voluntary organisations. This site has specific pages about volunteering and social care.
Contact: Mansfield Traquair Centre 15 Mansfield Place Edinburgh EH3 6BB T: 0131 556 3882 CharitiesNational charities and voluntary organisations look for volunteers on a continuous basis. Their contact details can be found in your yellow pages or telephone directory. Some suggested organisations and opportunities are listed here:
The Children’s PanelIn Scotland, panel members sit on children’s hearings and make key decisions about children that, in other countries, would be made in court.
For further information, contact: T: 0131 244 5483 Student Volunteering Scotland (SVS)An organisation of student volunteers.
Contact: E: svs@studentvolscotland.org.uk T: 01786 479593 Community Service Volunteers (CSV)A national organisation that helps place people between 16 – 35 in voluntary projects usually lasting four months to a year. Projects are available throughout the UK and volunteers are often placed away from their home area. All CSVs receive pocket money, meals, and if placed away from home, rent-free accommodation and return fares to and from home at the beginning and end of the project.
T: 020 7278 6601 Do-it.org.ukA website containing news and features on volunteer work and a database allowing you to search for volunteer opportunities by geographical area. |
Caring Careers website
Visit the Caring Careers website to find out more about working in social services in Scotland.
The website will help if you are new to the sector or if you are already working within social services and will let you know about different career routes. It has lots of information and useful real case studies of workers.
Career Pathway tools
The SSSC has developed two interactive online career pathway tools for social care, support services, early years and child care workers.
The tools will help to inform current and potential workers of the variety of qualifications, career routes and development options within the sector.
Early Years and Child Care
The Early Years and Child Care tool was created in response to the National Review of the Early Years and Childcare Workforce and provides comprehensive up-to-date guidance regarding career Pathways.
Care and Support Services
The SSSC also commissioned the development of a Care and Support Services tool for workers in social work, social care and housing support.