What do you think you gained/will take away from your placement at MCFB?
My experience at the Multi-Cultural Family Base has been a remarkable journey, not only in terms of learning, but also in relation to the experiences I have encountered. I have gained a much higher awareness of cultural competence as a social worker and this has led me to reflect upon my practice a great deal more. The benefit of this has been that I have developed a finer, more attuned knowledge of anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice. I have worked with a great many people on a 1:1 basis as well as work with the ‘Safe Haven’ Group.
In regards to a particular highlight, there have been many however, I think more than anything I have enjoyed learning about groupwork. This was an area I had little experience in prior to my placement with MCFB. I now feel more equipped and able to work in this area in the future. I have learned about the ‘therapeutic alliance’ as well as gained a wider appreciation of group facilitation.
From the start of my placement until the end I have progressed greatly due to the warmth, support and belief the staff placed in me and as such allowed me to express myself as a social worker and to work in a way that built on my strengths and addressed my weaknesses. Additionally, I have learned to work within the legislative context as well as link theory to my practice. As such, I am a far more able and far more capable worker.
What do you think you were able to contribute to the work of MCFB?
I believe I have contributed and helped support positive change with the children and families I have worked with. My work ranged from supporting a single parent father as well as working with children recently arrived in Scotland from Syria. This range of work required very different skillsets as well as different theoretical approaches, knowledge and skills. Therefore, I was able to adapt to different situations with the support of my colleagues and try and effect positive, lasting change. As such I believe I worked in a positive manner within the ethos of the Multi-Cultural Family Base and provided a sensitive, empathetic and effective approach to support.
What will be your lasting impression/memory of MCFB?
My lasting impression of MCFB will be the professionalism and commitment that is shown with the children and families the agency work with. Indeed, the person/child-centred approaches utilised by the agency are exemplary and have left a lasting impression on me. In addition, I feel that MCFB offers a positive environment for learning and this allows the student to feel engaged, valued and part of the team. Therefore, I leave MCFB a far better worker and have confidence in my abilities to go forward into full-time social work.
