Surviving Social Work Training

In this months briefer episode, her layby as she calls it, Donna introduces her driving analogy as a lively way to explore the ups, downs and unexpected turns of social work training. From mirrors and sat navs to warning lights and wrong turns, she shows how reflection, supervision, theory and self-care can help students and apprentices build confidence, make thoughtful decisions and keep moving f...

In this month’s episode of Surviving Social Work Training , I’m joined by Professor Mark Doel to talk about his idea of Social Work Land . It’s such a helpful way of thinking about placement, especially when you’re a student stepping into practice and everything feels new, unfamiliar and sometimes a bit overwhelming. We chat about what it can feel like to find your feet, how practice educators can...

This month’s podcast focuses on transitions in social work training—especially that big shift from university into placement, and the equally challenging move from one placement to the next. Both Amber and Lucy describe how intense and overwhelming those early weeks can feel. Amber shared that stepping into adult services felt like “learning a new language” and that the first few weeks were “a lit...

In this episode of Surviving Social Work Training , the conversation explores what inclusion really means within social work education and practice. Through Christina’s reflections as a deaf social work apprentice, the episode considers the social model of disability, reasonable adjustments, communication barriers, self-advocacy, assistive technology, and the importance of creating learning and pl...

In this episode I am joined by the lovely Claire, Practice Educator of the year 2021, and the author of "The Supervision Chair Model". Between us we talk you through the two types of supervision on placement and Claire will introduce her concept of the Supervision Chair for you to potentially use on placement.

This topic was suggested by someone as something that can often be a challenge for students. How do you challenge something you have seen or experienced that doesn't feel right? In this episode I spoke to two current students about their thoughts, include some views from a vox pop of other students and talk about how you can manage this in real life. Hopefully you will find this helpful. Plea...

So here it is, the first proper episode of Surviving Social Work Training. In this episode, we touch on the subject of refection, what does it mean and why is it so essential in Social Work. Then we move to a chat with two students I am currently supporting about their experiences in Social Work Training and ask them to share any tips to help you along the way, concluding in suggestions for self c...

Surviving Social Work Training is your monthly pep talk for the essays, placements and big feelings. Host Donna—social worker, mental health practitioner and practice educator—keeps it real with practical tips, honest stories, guest wisdom and quick wins to calm the chaos. Bring your cuppa, ditch the jargon, and leave with confidence, clarity and a cheerleader in your corner. You’re not alone—let’...