I'm interested to hear what students think of their social work degree course. I'm just wondering if the new course is better than the old one - is it producing better social workers and is it practical enough? 

I am extremely impressed with the degree I am on, the quality of education is very good and I feel it is preparing me for the profession fully. Of course I can't comment on how it is better or worse than previous courses as I wasn't on those!

I am quite pleased with my course so far, but towards the end of my first placement (February 08) the workload got to ridiculous levels. How they expected someone to manage to write assignments, construct a portfolio, do all the planning and preparation needed for the full time work at the placement etc etc, I don't know. I strongly feel that students should have a full study day each week on placement. By the end I had so much to do that I was not able to effectively learn anything, I just became a human word processor. I planned my work throughout my placement, it was not that I left it all to the last minute, but that the demands on my time within my placement increased over time.

I'm back at uni now until July and am able to see friends and family again, something that became impossible while on placement.

'human word processor' - now that rings a bell!!! Good preparation for social work in the real world!!!

 Hi ,

 I did  3 month placement which was over the Christmas period and I STRUGGLED [:'(] with the work load of working full-time having to do 4 assignments as well as care for my family. I am dreading year 3 as again it starts in Nov so Christmas is spoilt again . I found year 1 fine but year 2 was heavy and I know  year 3 will be extremely hard going. But i am enjoying the challenges (sometimes

Given that many social work students are mature students with families to look after do people think enough weight is given to this in the workload of social work courses or the flexibility (or lack of it) in the way the course is provided? Or is it appropriate that the courses are simply ran to the usual level and it's just up to people themselves to ensure that they are going to be able to do it alongside all their other commitments? I do not have experience of this myself but  obviously doing a course while having children to look after is a completely different kettle of fish compared to being a care free 20 year old.

 Aimes

I agree with you that the course does not take into consideration mature students who have families to care for. There is a lack of flexibility which can cause extra stress especially when we are on placement. I’m just finishing year two with my law exam pending which is in the school holidays so not only do I have to keep my children entertained while studying but I have to arrange child care so I can sit the exam. I do feel frustrated by the lack of understanding from some of the tutors concerning balancing family life with uni work. However I know a lot of the younger students have to try and balance work commitments against uni work so they can keep their heads above water, especially with having such large fees.

 

 

Our tutors say that they deliberately take no account of family commitments as good professionals sort out their child care and work full hours!

Trouble with that theory is, that people earning a full time professional wage may be able to afford good quality child care but students ..

But when I was on placement I was working full time, studying for other units, studying theories to inform my practice, compiling a portfolio, preparing for sessional work within the placement, caring for an elderly dependent relative and bringing up a large family.

Not complaining, I was not conscripted. I always remembered the word OPPORTUNITY, I was lucky to get the chance to train, but it doesn't stop the exhaustion and guilt about not being so available for my own kids.