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Social Welfare and Mental Health

Social welfare and mental health are connected in public policy and service provision to promote the well-being and social inclusion of individuals experiencing psychological distress or socio-economic disadvantage. The UK’s welfare system, administered primarily through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), provides financial support to individuals with mental health conditions, including Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). 

Mental health services are principally delivered through the National Health Service (NHS), with provisions ranging from primary care support to specialised psychiatric services. Recent policy initiatives have emphasised the integration of mental health into broader health and social care strategies, notably through the NHS Long Term Plan, which prioritises early intervention and community-based care. 

Local authorities also play a crucial role in supporting individuals with mental health and social welfare needs through housing assistance, social work, and community support services. Collaborative frameworks, such as multi-agency safeguarding hubs (MASH), aim to ensure coordinated responses to complex needs. Despite these efforts, challenges persist, including service accessibility, funding limitations, and disparities in outcomes, particularly among marginalised populations.  

To learn more about the range of roles in social and mental health visit the following example occupational profiles:  

Further research 

If you are interested in this area, you may also wish to read about the following sectors:

Skills employers look for

Employers in social welfare and mental health services typically seek a blend of professional knowledge, interpersonal aptitudes, and emotional resilience.  

Professional resilience is vital for delivering safe, ethical, and effective support in both statutory (Public) and non-statutory (Private) services.  Read ‘Discover the skills you need’ in Social Care People. 

Knowledge of Legislation and Safeguarding – Understanding frameworks such as the Mental Health Act 1983, Care Act 2014, and safeguarding protocols will also be beneficial. 

Required key skills include: 

  • Empathy and Active Listening – Essential for understanding and supporting service users effectively.
  • Communication Skills – Both verbal and written, for liaising with clients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Teamwork and Collaboration – Working with professionals across health, housing, and social services.
  • Cultural Competency – Understanding diverse backgrounds and adapting support appropriately.
  • Assessment and Planning – Conducting needs assessments and developing care or support plans.
  • Crisis Management – Responding calmly and appropriately in high-pressure or emergency situations.
  • Record-Keeping and IT Literacy – Maintaining accurate, confidential case records using digital systems.
  • Resilience and Emotional Stability – Managing the emotional demands of the role.
  • Problem-Solving – Addressing complex and evolving needs with practical, effective solutions.

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Read also through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in:   

Volunteering 

 University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

  • Grand Challenges theme on Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing  a project week in which you work in interdisciplinary groups with other like-minded students to design innovative solutions to real world challenges e.g. Mental Health and Social Inequality. 
  • Career Zone Internship schemes: Internships can be extremely useful, so try and get relevant vacation work or placements.
  • Professional Pathways Charity & Development: a suite of sector specific training courses and paid week-long internships that take place in June.   

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before exploring the options below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Finding part time work  

  • Charity Job – advertises part-time roles across various sectors, including in mental health or educational roles
  • Handshake, our vacancy database with employers who are targeting University of Exeter students. 

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

For opportunities in the South West look at: 

Search other external sites below: 

Try too specialist recruitment agencies: 

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page.  

Graduate schemes and internships 

There are fewer graduate schemes in social welfare and mental health than in more corporate professions, so we encourage you to look toward opportunities local to where you wish to live. 

Examples of places you could work includes: 

  • Local councils
  • Community centres
  • Citizens Advice
  • Universities
  • Job centres
  • Prisons or probation centres 

Search for advertised internships 

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad. 

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. 

Social work conversion courses - Typically taking two years to complete, the Masters in Social Work involves assessment through group projects, essays and a compulsory dissertation. As part of your application, you'll need to demonstrate a passion and commitment to social work through plenty of prior work experience - either from paid or voluntary positions. Find out what else you'll need to become a social worker. 

Use the sites below to research your further study options: 

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.  

  • Health and Care Professions Council – Health Regulators including Social Work England, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Social Care Wales, Scottish Social Services Council.
  • The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (the PSA) promotes the health, safety and wellbeing of patients, service users and the public. It does this by improving the regulation of people who work in health and social care and running the Accredited Registers programme for roles not regulated by law. The PSA is an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament. 

Advice 

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.