I have just finished my first year of an MSc Social Work course. Childhood Studies has greatly complemented my postgraduate studies. The psychological and sociological based lectures provided a solid foundation for social work theories and it has been really interesting seeing knowledge learnt in the ‘inter-professional working’ module in practice.

Knowledge of both national and international human rights legislation and treaties has been particularly beneficial, as has studying child law in the final year.

Social work uses and is directed by law and the political climate and so knowledge of policies in their historical context has been really helpful, as has learning to think critically about the law and areas which may be contradictory.

Where are they now?

I have just completed my first placement, working with the charity Prison Advice and Care Trust, as a family support worker. I was based between HMP Bronzefield, a female prison in Surrey and HMP Wormwood Scrubs, the male prison in Hammersmith. My role has been to help connect service users with their children and families, as having a strong social support network can reduce re-offending.

It has been great experience and I have met some amazing people, although working in a caring role inside a prison is not always easy!

I have to write a dissertation next year and so I am thinking about research into how to improve communication between social workers, prisoners and prison officers!