What do you think you gained /will take away from your placement at MCFB?
I have gained a vast amount of knowledge from my placement at MCFB. I supported children with a variety of different issues and therefore was able to develop a range of knowledge and skills. At MCFB I was given the opportunity to work on a one-to-one basis and in groups allowing clear links to common theories, as well as different theories, to be made. MCFB works with a range of different cultures, I learnt how difficult it is for some families to access and utilise different services due to language or cultural differences, and this allowed me to gain confidence to work in an anti-oppressive manner, challenge others and develop my professional competence. Some of the children that are supported by MCFB also have statutory involvement and this was a good opportunity to understand the legislative and statutory context whilst recognising the importance of a voluntary agency that has more time to work directly with the family. The skills I have learnt at MCFB are invaluable for future work.
What do you think you were able to contribute to the work of MCFB?
MCFB provides support and guidance to enable you to really explore your professional style and develop the practical skills of working with families; through this I have been able to offer both practical and emotional support to both children and their families. MCFB gives the gift of time when working with families – something that is hard to find in statutory Social Work- as a student on placement this was valuable for building therapeutic relationships, providing advocacy, challenging practice and seeing real change in a child’s well-being. I feel that staff embraced the student’s role giving plenty of support whilst encouraging autonomous working as well as valuing my input, the student role at MFCB is well known with other professionals too, allowing effective collaboration with other agencies.
What will be your lasting impression/memory of MCFB?
My placement at MCFB has really taught me the importance of working with the families, to support them and their children to break barriers, increase wellbeing and inclusion within the community. MCFB provides a unique service as although it sits out with statutory services it provides quality interventions that are less limited than the statutory sector. The power and importance of therapeutic play will forever remind me of MCFB and that social work is not about ticking boxes and reaching outcomes but really connecting with families to improve their wellbeing.
