I would like to ask you something. I ahve chosen this site as you can give me an impartial advice.
I am 30, have just been made redundant, not a great fun of office job.
What would you recommend?
a> go to uni to change my career (e.g. do a three year course in Social Work
b>keep on working in a similar job that I had
c>b as above plus looking for something else
If you are currently unemployed and in receipt of benefits (or even if you're not getting benefits) Learn Direct do lots of interesting courses for free. They can also discuss future career options with you. At 30, you still have a plethora of options.
Why not dip you toe into some social work by doing so voluntary work with a drug agency or youth club or adult education. Community Education can give you a wide spec on social work. contact your local council or search for social ed/psyco agency that you are interested in and see what you like.
there are alot of SW jobs that have on the job training or will do day release to uni.
I agree with redcrx, get any old job and fit in study around it, if social work is what you really want to do then do some training in that area.
However from what I hear in the news social work is one of the areas that there is a skills shortage at the moment even in the recession so you may even be able to get some kind of on the job training or day release and get paid for it.