Such learners might be fast to pick up complex local authority IT systems for the managing of cases and care packages within the Social Work profession. A young student, for example, could be seen as part of an IT-savvy generation who might be quick to understand the benefits of social media and flexible enough to move with rapid technological change. The strengths-based philosophy offers an alternative view which helpfully focuses on students’ skills and knowledge. So age is clearly not the right benchmark for assessing people.

Occasionally, a student in their 40s can have less professional awareness than one in their early 20s. The truth of the matter is that sometimes students coming straight from school can be perceptive, with a lot of experience relevant to their chosen profession, and then sometimes they are not. And each time I would remind them that we measure our undergraduates by aptitude, not experience. Very often, the Co-ordinator might express concerns at the students’ age and lack of direct experience. In my role as the placements co-ordinator for Social Work, one of the biggest challenges can be securing placements for this diverse population.įor many years, our partner Practice Learning Co-ordinators would receive the batch of student papers and we would have a similar conversation. The student is encouraged to take the initiative in identifying systems and strategies to support them on their journey towards completing a qualification.Īt UWE, inclusivity is a core value, and the diverse student population is one of our greatest strengths.

As part of the strengths-based approach, the student would be seen as empowered, “capable of solving their own problems,” and taking a pro-active part in their learning rather than UWE (and its partner educators) being the ‘experts’ who diagnose a student’s situation and determine what should be done (See The ‘strengths-based’ approach demands a more collaborative relationship between the student and UWE. When applying a strengths-based approach to student or staff learning, we focus on what the individual can already do, rather than on their problems, limitations or ‘lack’ of particular skills and knowledge. The field of Social Work has developed a method or philosophy called the ‘strengths-based’ approach which can be liberating for everybody to consider using. Davies – Social Work Placements Co-ordinator.

Strengths based approach social work