Studying social work as a mature student, Nic learned a lot about herself while getting ready for a rewarding career.
Working with children in care sparked my passion for social work, but I recognised that my career options were limited without a degree.
At 17, I joined the Royal Navy. Through the extensive travel and humanitarian work that being in the armed forces offered me, I became interested in social justice.
Among all the universities I considered for a social work degree, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú stood out for its quick and helpful responses to my requests for information.
Passionate teachers and practical experience
During the interview process, I knew ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú was the right choice for me. The lecturers who interviewed me were friendly and passionate, and continued to be helpful and supportive after the interview.
The social work team has provided engaging and relevant teaching.
It has been fantastic being taught by people with the same passion for the subject that I have.
Skills days provided by guest speakers have been a great addition to the academic work. Social Workers Without Borders – a voluntary organisation supporting asylum seekers, refugees and migrants – was my most memorable skills day and a pertinent, contemporary issue for UK-based social workers.
The curriculum, and the supportive and dynamic learning environment, blend theoretical knowledge with real-world application. The course provides practical, hands-on experiences through a wide range of interesting placement options, with support from passionate and dedicated practice supervisors and educators.
Building skills and confidence on placement
My favourite part of my course has been my practice placements. I’ve been fortunate to have two excellent placements and two amazing practice educators.
During my first social work placement, I worked in the third sector with children displaying problematic sexualised behaviour. I completed self-assessments with young people and their families and collaborated with their schools and other professionals to gain a holistic understanding of their needs, and to create plans of work to disrupt sexualised behaviour.
This placement built my confidence in lone home visits and working with parents and guardians who were reluctant, for various reasons, to work with social workers. It provided me with valuable skills to approach challenging situations with empathy and effectiveness in my future practice.
My second placement was at Cafcass, where I supported children and their families through private family law proceedings. I gained valuable insights into the work of a Family Court Advisor. I spent many days in courts across Hampshire, shadowing Court Duty Officers, interviewing parents before their hearings, and presenting cases.
I led cases and completed Section 7 assessments and reports, to help the court make decisions in the best interests of the children I supported. This experience gave me a good understanding of the practical application of the law, assessment skills and working within tight timeframes.
I have received excellent feedback from my practice supervisors and educators, and from the children and families I have supported. This has built my confidence as I approach qualifying.
The first-hand experience gained in my placements has provided a strong foundation for my future career. I feel confident entering the workforce with my acquired skills and knowledge.
Developing resilience and self-awareness
The Social Work course will challenge you, but the support you receive from the teaching team and the University makes it manageable.
I have a clearer understanding of my values since undertaking this degree.
I had a terrible ethical dilemma in my first year and needed confidential advice. Despite having no religious affiliations, I approached the University Chaplains who fed me dozens of biscuits and endless cups of tea while listening to me and offering impartial advice. They are wonderful people.
The emphasis on self-reflection in the degree has allowed me to develop a heightened sense of self-awareness, enabling me to navigate challenging situations with resilience, empathy, and without bias.
Surprising personal growth
My time at the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú has been incredibly rewarding, both personally and professionally.
The academic work and my placements have promoted a love of analytical writing, and this is something that will benefit my career hugely.
Alongside the academic work, I am a student rep for my cohort. While this has also required good time management skills, the role has offered me new experiences and pushed me out of my comfort zone. For instance, I took part in a marketing video advertising the Social Work course to prospective students, which is not something I would have previously offered my time to.
As a mature student, I have grown and developed in ways I never thought possible
I am now in my final few months of university and close to the end of my 100-day social work placement. The workload between my placement, university and my personal life at this stage is heavy, but I’ve surprised myself with my ability to organise myself.
Juggling the demands of social work placements with academic work and family life has required a lot of me with respect to time management. However, I think the pressures of the course have provided me with a good understanding of the reality of a career in social work.
I am now at the stage where I am applying for AYSE roles for when I qualify. However, my time at university has reawakened a love of studying, and I am also contemplating an MSc