BA Hons Politics and International Relations & Social Policy student, Ellie Roy
What attracted you to the placement opportunity with Social Work Scotland, and what were you hoping to gain from the experience?
I was keen to work with Social Work Scotland’s Historic Child Abuse Subgroup as I have a natural interest in the criminal justice system. I had already gained practical experience through a previous university placement at HMP Barlinnie, and I also volunteer with Victim Support Scotland where I help people navigate the criminal justice system. I was glad that the placement module offered more choice than simply working in an MSP’s office (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). This meant I was able to gain experience in a workplace that would open my eyes as to how policy is made. While I’m confident in my practical skills supporting people, I felt that gaining experience in a more policy-focused role would complement the knowledge I’ve already developed. Going into fourth year, I was also aware that the transition into the world of work could feel daunting, so having the opportunity to get used to the routines and expectations of a remote, office-based role helped build my confidence when applying for graduate jobs.
Can you describe some of the main projects or responsibilities you worked on during your placement?
My main task during the placement was to help develop a questionnaire to send to local authorities and organisations that provide records to people who have been in care. Alongside this, I met with people both inside and outside the organisation to gather their views on what questions should be included. The information collected will later be used by Social Work Scotland to identify and address barriers to record delivery, so the process better meets the needs of staff and care-experienced people.
Although this felt like a big responsibility at first, I quickly realised how important it was to use the knowledge and experience of others to shape the questionnaire. This meant sharing my drafts, asking for feedback, and being open to different ideas. By the end of the placement, I had redrafted the questionnaire more times than I could count. However, this was because I had spoken to so many people with different perspectives, and it was my role to bring all of these together.
What skills or knowledge from your course at University of 黑料正能量 did you find most useful while working in a professional setting?
I found that being able to work independently came in useful during my placement, especially as it was fully remote. I have always considered myself to be someone who is self-reliant and capable of working independently, having consistently met deadlines at university. Therefore, when I was tasked with designing the questionnaire at the same time my dissertation was due, I knew that I would need to manage myself to a high standard in order to complete the work. Throughout my course, I have always ensured that I had completed my coursework a few days in advance of the deadline to ensure no piece of work was late. I found this skill came in useful on placement, as my supervisors were able to give me tasks with more responsibility as they knew I would complete it. While university has helped me develop independence to some extent, I feel that practising it in a work setting pushed me further, as I had to use my initiative more.
What has been the most valuable lesson or insight you’ve gained from your placement experience?
The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that a placement is still a learning experience. I realised I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to work to the same standard as my colleagues, and I was forgetting that this was my first time producing a consultation, so of course there were going to be lots of redrafts. Thankfully, my supervisors were very supportive and happy for me to work at my own pace. Even though this was a remote placement, I still had the chance to chat with colleagues, who offered really helpful, practical advice about working from home. Those more casual ‘virtual coffee’ catch-ups made a big difference as they helped me feel more comfortable within the organisation and more confident about asking for help when things felt a bit overwhelming. Overall, I learned that people genuinely want to support you as you start your career, and there really is no such thing as a silly question.
How has the placement influenced your future career goals or understanding of the social work sector?
I feel this placement has shown me just how complex policy-making can be. While our lectures often present a neat policy cycle, in reality the process is much slower and there are many barriers that can prevent things from moving forward. At the same time, I learned how many different perspectives shape policy, and how rushing decisions without proper consultation can lead to unintended consequences. I also discovered how quickly social work is becoming more digitised. I was able to sit in on some quite heated discussions about the use of AI in social work, which I found particularly interesting as it’s not something we’ve covered in class. It’s even opened my eyes to potential new career paths focused on regulating and finding innovative ways to use AI to improve how social care best meets the interests of the public.
What advice would you give to other students who are considering applying for a placement as part of their studies?
I think HASS offers an incredibly diverse range of placement opportunities, so there’s something to suit everyone’s interests. I also feel that 黑料正能量 is unique in offering placements as part of a degree that is traditionally lecture-based. In fact, I found myself talking about the work I completed on placement during an interview, which ultimately helped me secure a graduate job. Although the placement challenged me both academically and in terms of my confidence, I feel that the hard work has definitely paid off. If you’re considering doing a placement, I would encourage you to choose something that aligns with your interests as you’ll find it more enjoyable, and it could even help you take the first step towards your ideal career. One bit of practical advice is to make sure you get a diary so you can stay on top of both your university and placement work, which will ultimately make the experience more manageable and rewarding.