In my 1st year of my BA social work degree - I shadowed a social worker for a day - However,she made some racist comments and I felt that she was mocking one of her service users - she also hinted to me that she would like me to do her filing - which I just smiled and didn't offer (and rightly so!)

On my first placement on my 2nd yr - I was placed with a children's charity - I was paired up with another student - within 2 weeks I was allowed to observe a group of service users and then eventually participate in the group work - the other student was told she wasn't ready yet and would have to wait a month to do the observation.

 However, 4 weeks later - I thought I was safe to say that I had a breakdown 5 yrs ago - as the GSCC informed me over the phone that the college will inform my placements of this - so I just thought that this had already been done.  However, I wasn't safe to do so as my supervisor had a meeting with the manager - he shouted at me and rang the college to say I wasn't to come back - after a long heated discussion with my lecturer and the manager - the manager agreed that it wasn't my fault and that the college is at fault for not passing this information on. 

 On reflection, I know I should have disclosed this in my interview - I will make sure I will do this in the future and the college will make sure that this info gets passed on - however, the manager said to my lecturer that if they had this info to begin with - I would not of had an interview! 

 This has really upset me - so much that I couldn't face another placement and have decided to defer - I will go back to college but not yet. 

Although I haven't been diagnosed with anything and the drs say I'm have not got a mental illness - I don't even have any medication -the dr said I can't have anti depressants as they don't think I'm depressed (however some days I think I am) - and the GSCC registered me on the basis that I have made a very good recovery since my breakdown.

 Now I feel that having previous mental health illness is worse than having a criminal record - I know of some students with criminal records and they are getting an easier time than me and were registered before me.

I told the manager at the placement that I feel that he has discriminated against me - he said you can think that if you want - but I'm just looking out for the service users , we need robust people working here.

 So that's that - really fed up and feeling that even social services discriminate against people - has anyone else had similar experiences?

Hi Disheartened

It sounds like you have been treated very unfairly. We had a discussion about some similar issues a month or so ago - which you might be interested to look at.

I've just read the discussion - thanks - now I'm really disheartened!!! When I first applied for my social work degree - I got 5 offers out of 6 and the interviewers made it clear that they welcome service user involvement - so this naively made me think that this was the same throughout social services - oh dear how wrong was I!

 Yet there are a few students on my course - one had a criminal record for violence and the other one for drugs - both got registered before me - and both no questions asked on placements!

 Mum asked me how long does my breakdown stay on my dr's notes - I said for life!  Now wishing I had spent 8 weeks in jail rather than hospital - would have a better chance of getting a job when I qualify!!!!!

It sounds like neither the university nor the placement were being terribly supportive or understanding. There's no reason you can't be a better and a more understanding social worker as a result of your past experiences.

I know when I was at uni another student had a conviction for a non-violence related offence and I think there was one placement where it had been raised but it didn't affect things in the long run and she is, indeed, one of the best, most effective and caring social workers I know.

Surely some aspects of the disability discrimination act would come into play about you being offered appropriate support.

As for prejudice, it exists in social care and any field. I just think it exists less. It is highly objectionable but, in my experience, it is unusual - but it says a lot about a workplace culture and if I were to go for an interview and heard some of those statements being made, in any kind of context, I would be extremely reluctant to accept a job there.  

The whole experience has had an extreme knock on my self esteem - and now I'm really questionning whether I should go back.  It's a rat race it really is - I just thought that this was in the private sector - but it's every where I guess

Hello Disheartened, Im so sorry to hear of the way you have been treated. I do not believe you need to disclose this information to anyone. I understand you felt safe and told someone believeing honesty was the best policy but if you do not have a diagnosis, are not on medication and not recieving any treatment then you have nothing to disclose. The DDA would only be of use to you if you suffered from a condition that lasted, or was expected to last for 12mths or more. If you had been diagnosed with depression or Generalised Anxiety Disorder or something the manager you referred to would have been guilty of disability discrimination and could have been held to account for his behaviour towards you. If I was you I would consult your GP forst of all and get his advice on the subject. Tell him how you were treated and how this had made you feel. I would also speak to someone at the University...they should really have done more to support you...and tell them you feel you have been badly treated. I would also write to the Director of whichever service you were on placement in when this terrible situation arose. I think you have been treated appallingly . It would be extremely sad if yet another promising social worker left just for being human .

Funnily enough before I disclosed my breakdown - I did mention to the manager that the building wasn't wheelchair accessible - but he said service users can come round the back of the building and there is a room for counselling or a play room that doesn't have steps - however, I thought at the time would they be prepared to turn that into an office to take on an employee with a wheelchair - I thought probably not -you had to climb steps for the other offices - even the reception!

 But I guess it didn't have many employees working there so they could get away with it.

 The college has been ok - would have helped if they discussed things first with me and passed on the relevant info as I had told them after the GSCC registration that they would have to do this and apparently the GSCC had sent them a letter confirming this - also the GSCC said they will ask the college to give me extra training on assertiveness - however, this has been mentioned but nothing sorted out as yet.

 Feeling a bit disappointed with the college and very miffed with the placement -however, my lecturer did say to me on Monday that they are looking into that placement and will rethink whether they will send future students there.

 All along my supervisor said to me to not make assumptions and to always question them - feels to me like she should take her own advice!