For many years, RMC have been hosting social work students from Wolverhampton University as part of their course. They get a chance to work within our teams for five months, taking on social work related cases and working with a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
National Social Work Day is an opportunity to think about what social work is, how it contributes to the lives of vulnerable people nationally – and internationally and how we are preparing the next generation of social workers by equipping them to support recipients of Social Work intervention in an ever changing world.
Deborah Sharman – Practice Placement Development Worker at Wolves Uni
Since 2018 RMC have hosted at least one student in each of our branches each year, with students giving over 8,500 hours of support to the community.
It has provided an opportunity for our staff to build their supervision skills as part of the Universities Placement Supervisor training course, and one student event went on to become RMC staff.
Students are fully integrated into the team, attending training, meetings and given every opportunity to develop a range of skills and experiences during their time. In return they provide a social work expertise and a flexibility to provide additional support to some of our most vulnerable clients.
At the University of Wolverhampton, we are delighted that our students are hosted and supported by RMC to develop their capability and understanding by actively working with refugee and migrant people in their services across the West Midlands as part of their practice placements. This will undoubtedly enable them to be stronger qualified practitioners and to understand and appropriately respond to the needs of those fleeing war, persecution and trauma.
Deborah Sharman – Practice Placement Development Worker at Wolves Uni
The students and the placements are a prime example of an opportunity that benefits everyone. Our team build their skills and adds additional expertise by having the students involved, and students are provided with a wide range of experiences to prepare them for being fully qualified social workers.
We want to thank all the RMC staff who contribute both directly and directly to the social work profession by enabling our students to grow and learn. We say that it takes a whole team to raise a Social Worker and therefore we send our thanks to each and every one of you. On behalf of our students and social work generally, thank you.
Deborah Sharman – Practice Placement Development Worker at Wolves Uni
