My time as a student within St Helens has been thoroughly enjoyable. I feel like I have been blessed with the support networks that are available, from my practice educators up to senior management - everybody is concerned with your development, wellbeing and success. I have had two amazing placements where my level of knowledge and understanding has been nurtured and developed. Every colleague I have worked with has been so supportive, encouraging and willing to partake of their time and knowledge to benefit my development. I have participated in a wide range of training opportunities outside of my placement team. This has really helped me to develop a wider sense of the role of a social worker and prepare me for my future career. These training opportunities are in addition to the wide range of skills and experiences gained within my placement teams. They have helped to round out my knowledge and skills. Overall applying to step up within St Helens has been one of the best decisions I have ever taken. The people, support, learning and development opportunities have all been second to none. BM
I have completed both of my social work placements in St Helens and the workplace culture has been unrivalled. You'll have a practice educator, and all the staff are on hand to help from the smallest questions to more complex matters and this has attributed to the success of my placements. I feel not only supported in managing a case load of my own but also trusted, which has helped to boost my confidence in practice. I have had a wide range of learning opportunities and when new cases come in, I am always considered, to ensure that I have had the opportunity to increase my knowledge and skill set. KC
In January 2024 I started as a student social worker on the Step Up to Social Work programme. During my time on placement with St Helens Children and Young Peoples Service, I have been fortunate enough to complete two statutory placements, the first a 70 day placement with the Future's Team, and the second with the Assessment Team. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on both placements and was able to gain vital experience working alongside qualified social workers. I have held Child in Need cases, co-worked Child Protection cases, attended court and attended Legal Gateway Panel, amongst other learning opportunities. Both teams I have worked on were very welcoming and supported me throughout my placement, my Practice Educators have been fantastic and have ensured I have had the opportunity to continue to develop my skills. I am very grateful for the opportunity the Local Authority have given me. CC
What a privilege it is to work with children, young people, and families in St Helens. I am honoured to make positive changes and a difference to people's lives, something I want to achieve throughout my learning journey and career. I have really enjoyed the opportunity to learn on the apprenticeship and entering lots of different teams has given me a real overview of social work and how different teams practice in different ways, this is a bespoke opportunity that is not offered in any other local authority. Every day is a learning day which makes it very exciting. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to study and work collaboratively, giving a greater depth of understanding to my role. I feel well supported by The Quality Assurance and Improvement Team and they are helping apprentices like me be the best in practice I can be. There is lots of preparation in the teams I have gone in to ensuring you get the best out of each opportunity, that is well supported and ensuring growth in practice. EP
The SWDA programme has given me the amazing opportunity not only to obtain a Social Work qualification but to gain a wide range of experience working across several teams across Children's Services, which helps me to understand what the role of qualified Social Worker actually looks like in practice. I am particularly enjoying being able to learn from a wide range of experienced colleagues and am learning new skills every day. Although it can be challenging at times to manage the demands of academic study alongside expectations of work and personal lives, this programme has helped me to improve my planning and organisational skills, which has seen me achieving more that I could have thought was possible. The support on offer from The Improvement Team has been invaluable with a range of training and quality assurance sessions, regular check ins and informal discussions offered to develop skills and practice. Having an identified mentor who is available to offer support or guidance has been particularly useful to me at times, although every member of the team is more than happy to assist where they can and will go out of their way to make sure that the SWDA's are supported and are making progress on their own journeys. I would recommend the SWDA programme to anyone who is interested in becoming a Social Worker but would absolutely recommend that they utilise the wealth of support that is on offer throughout the journey. VK
The SWDA scheme is a challenging but rewarding experience. I always wanted to become a social worker but would never of been able to achieve this without the scheme allowing me to study and earn. I have found that this is the best route for someone like me who learns by being hands on. I have gained so much academic knowledge from university but being able to put this into practice immediately embeds my learning. I have had such great learning opportunities in various teams which has allowed me the skills and knowledge some professionals do not get until years of working in social care. The continuous support from the practice development team is critical and utilising the support offered from training and your mentor helps you to reflect and grow as an accomplished student and one day social worker. The experience for me has been so rewarding and I would highly recommend this route into practice. JW
I would like to pass my thanks on for the support and encouragement you have offered during the whole of the step-up programme and my time with St Helens. You have been amazing, and I thoroughly appreciate all the help and encouragement you have given me / us. The little check-ins and just knowing you have been available for us if we needed it has meant a lot. So, thank you, truly.
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