Social work student research inspired by work placements

The annual Solent Wellbeing Research conference took place on 10 April and showcased final year BA (Hons) Social Work students’ research projects. The purpose of the conference was to enhance student knowledge of research relevant to social work. As part of this, students presented posters that were the outcome of a two-month research project.

Professor James Knowles, Vice-Chancellor at Solent University, welcomed all delegates and gave a warm introduction to the keynote speaker and Honorary Doctorate, Professor David Croisdale-Appleby OBE, who delivered a keynote address on ‘The contextual factors in the health and care system affecting future social work practice: A 5-act play’. The conference was attended by industry practitioners, Solent alumni, current students and placement students, who all absorbed the valuable information of his talk.

After the keynote address, delegates were invited to review the research posters final-year students had produced as part of their final-year assessment. The research covered all issues of social work including childhood trauma, mental health of refugee children, services for adults with autism, young offenders, family drugs and alcohol courts, female genital mutilation, child protection, domestic abuse, teenage pregnancy, child welfare services, hoarding and many more.

Many students were inspired by cases they came across on their work placement they undertake as part of the course. Lauren Teague took her research ‘Is there a lack of voice and engagement with trauma impacted birth parents?’ from an area on her work placement; in the adoption team in Southampton. She said that the placement, and the knowledge she learnt from her research had helped her get a job after graduation.

Nomfundo Ngubae whose research project, ‘Hoarding, Mental Capacity and Safeguarding - A Vale-Based Practice’, said the topic was also influenced by her previous placement and “The research has helped steer my interest in working with adult services as hoarding was more prevalent with older adults and is often associated with significant trauma.” After graduating, Nomfundo is looking forward to her new role at Dorset County Council where she can incorporate her research into her new role.

With an obvious correlation between research and placement, Lisa Wallis, Professional Development Co-ordinator and ASYE Co-ordinator at Southampton City Council, said "It was nice to be able to meet some of the students who had been on placement and see how their placements had informed their research.  There’s lots of industry research that I will take back and implement back in the office, unpick and share with colleagues.” 

Gavin Tucker, Senior Lecturer on BA (Hons) Social Work, said, “The students presented some fantastic research and have delved quite deep into some serious issues. The industry practitioners were also very impressed with the subjects tackled and outcomes, with some following up on their research. We’re very proud of all the students and look forward to seeing how they incorporate their research into their future careers.”

If you’d like to study this interesting subject and pursue a rewarding career, you can find out more about BA (Hons) Social Work or find out about our new MA Social Work on our website.