Applications for social work degrees in the UK have risen by a staggering 41% this year according to the university admissions body UCAS.

Over 52,000 people applied to start the course this September compared to 37,000 last year. The rise is being attributed to the national TV campaigns Help Give Them a Voice and Be The Difference which were funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now renamed the Department for Education).

The age profile of people entering the profession has also changed with more young people aged 19 to 21 choosing to study a social work as a degree, the training route introduced in 2003 for anyone wanting to pursue a career in this area.

Professor of Social Work at Kingston University, Dr Ray Jones believes that this is a good thing: “My view is that maturity doesn’t necessarily reflect someone’s chronological age.

"What we are looking for in every student is an intellectual ability to make critical judgements because they need to make sense of sometimes very confusing and chaotic situations.

"They should also not be overwhelmed when dealing with people who are distressed but be able to understand, empathise and stay emotionally in control.”

While the new coalition government has been upholding its election priorities to families, stronger communities and a fairer society – these values have for decades inspired people into a career in social work.

Third year student Grace O’Neill, 42, enrolled onto the BA in social work after working in the insurance industry and computer sales.

Reflecting on her motivation to change careers, she said: “I think it is a combination of personal experience of difficulties in life and being demotivated by greed and consumerism. I felt I was not contributing to society in a meaningful way. I wanted to be part of the process of building a stronger society and better community links.”

As part of the degree students experience 200 days work that can span a variety of social work fields - from children’s services, to adults with mental and/or physical disabilities and older people whose needs have become greater with age.

Dr Jones believes that these work placements are really influential in exciting students about what they want to do when they qualify.

He said: “People are not looking for easy options. They are looking for the stimulation and the rewards that can come from working with difficult and challenging work, for example working with children and child protection. A lot of qualifying social workers want to get that experience and see it as the sharp end of the work.”

Although there is no evidence at present, it is hoped that activities like the recent TV campaigns could improve the public’s understanding of social work.

Grace feels however that the profession needs more than brief adverts to give people an accurate picture.

She said: “I think more documentaries would be helpful to give people a better understanding of the kind of pressures and ethical dilemmas that social workers are facing all the time and the tough decisions they have to make.”