One of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of the Social Work course here at the University of Brighton is the opportunity to take part in a diverse range of placements.
We make sure that we offer placement opportunities in a wide range of social work sectors including child protection, mental health, support for asylum-seeking individuals and advocacy for vulnerable adults.
By doing these placements, which are a mandatory part of the course, students can take what they’ve learnt in the classroom and apply it in real-world professional settings. But placements are more than just getting practical experience, they are key moments which help our students grow their resilience and confidence.
We asked some of our students to share their reflections and experiences from their various placements with us to give an insight into what it was like.
Reflecting on their placement at a residential for young adults, Madison shares, “In my first placement at a YMCA residential for 16-25 year olds, I gained hands-on experience supporting young adults transitioning to independence, helping me understand the unique challenges they face.”
“My second placement with children in care deepened my insight into the foster care system and the specific needs of vulnerable children, allowing me to apply and expand my skills in creating safe, supportive environments for young people” Madison adds.
For Mel, the placements focused on adults facing a range of difficult life circumstances. She explains, “My first placement was in an alcohol and drug service (CGL). This 70-day placement opened my eyes to the life experiences of adults and the true meaning of the Care Act, Human Rights Act and how adults have the right to make unwise decisions under the Mental Capacity Act. I learnt the value of harm reduction, knowledge of mental health, homelessness, domestic violence, prison, alongside respect for their lives they had lived.”
“My final year 100-day placement was with an Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children’s team. Children would arrive alone into the UK and often would have experienced abuse, bereavement, harm, war, trafficking, loss, and self-harm and had suffered deep trauma. This placement helped me fight the stigma they experience and made sense of the links to wider law and policy around the world including human rights.” Mel added about her final year placement.
Ruth, who completed placements in both adult and children’s services, reflects on how the practical experience helped her connect her academic learning to real-world situations. “The placements showed me how the knowledge I have learnt is used in practice. Some of what I learnt did not fully make sense until I used it in practice, and having this opportunity showed me the many paths of social work you can take, and the variety of people you can support,” she says.
For Justina, working with asylum-seeking children was a pivotal experience. “My first placement was with a local charity that supports asylum-seeking children between 16 to 18 years. It gave me a firsthand opportunity to support service users experiencing various forms of trauma. I learned so much about myself as an individual but also the need to take a trauma-informed approach to practice, using research-based knowledge on theories, skills like good communication, active listening, values such as honesty and respect.”
Tobie, who completed a three-day shadowing placement with the Brighton and Hove Children and Families Pod in her first year, reflects on the experience: “I found placement so helpful as I can start to see how knowledge I have gained at uni is applied in practice which pieces everything together. I got to attend multiple Child in Need meetings and meet service users. The team were so helpful and didn’t make me feel like a burden for having lots of questions.”
These placements have been essential in preparing our students for the challenges and rewards of a career in social work. Each student’s experience is unique, but they all share a sense of purpose and a commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others.
We’re proud to see how our students apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, creating meaningful change in the communities they support.
If you’re considering studying Social Work at the University of Brighton, we hope these stories inspire you to join us.
Check out our Social Work course page to find out more.
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