For Tonia Dubidat, social work student at Birmingham University, having grown up around social work her whole life made her recent student children’s social worker of the year award win all the more humbling.
“My mum’s a social worker so I’ve had the social values instilled in me right from the beginning and to an extent it feels natural to me. But I didn’t think I’d ever win, so I was like a deer in the headlights when they announced it at the social worker of the year awards.
“It was inspiring to be part of the celebration of social work and the life changing, lifesaving work that goes on every day and often unnoticed by the public.”
Fresh from the award ceremony, Dubidat reflects on her experiences of social work training and how a placement with Cafcass enhanced her learning along the way.
The decision to move into social work was an easy one, she says. “My initial degree was in photography but my upbringing was a strong influence and I soon realised I wanted to do more to help people.”
Dubidat initially worked as a professional contact worker supervising contact, then as a social care assistant at Sandwell local authority for almost five years. It was here she became eager to take on more responsibility. “I wanted to have more impact, for my professional view to have more sway.” Showing it’s never too late to take up a career in the social care sector it was at this point, aged 28, Dubidat decided to apply for social work training.
“I’d been out of education for seven years, so the prospect of studying again was daunting.” There have been challenges – Dubidat worked nearly full time to fund her studies – but she says: “I’ve really grown with the course. I had two really good placements with Women’s Aid and a local not-for-profit organisation, the Sweet Project, as well as a fantastic 100 day placement with Cafcass. I’ve learned a lot.”
The Cafcass placement is coveted among students, Dubidat explains: “Cafcass has a good reputation and students know it’s a brilliant opportunity. For me, I’d had experience with the local authority whereas Cafcass was something new to me. I wanted to challenge myself.”
Dubidat started her placement with Cafcass in May 2015. As part of her training she was allocated nine private law cases (divorce or separation cases, which can often feature hidden safeguarding issues), with management oversight. “I was really able to hone my social work skills through the practical experience in live cases, and with the support of their experience.” Dubidat completed the assessments and reports for her cases and gave evidence at court.
As with all Cafcass student social work placements, Dubidat was assigned a practice educator who acts as a mentor. Her educator, Birmingham family court adviser Patrick McIntosh, was, Dubidat says, her social work guru. “Patrick oversaw my work and got me to look at my cases from different angles and reflect on my approach. When I was due to give evidence at court he was really supportive – little things like taking me for a walk or coffee to distract me from feeling daunted. He also discussed his work in care cases, which gave me some insight to Cafcass’ public law role.”
Many of the professionals coming into contact with Dubidat said she demonstrated skills and knowledge beyond her experience. In one case a judge commended her report as “not only thorough, but it focused on exactly the right matters of concern for [him] and the parties.”
Dubidat explains that at Cafcass practitioners are really encouraged to take ownership and responsibility for their professional views. “It makes you stand by your recommendations and look at them more closely. It’s learning to be reflective – reviewing your own values and how these feed into your practice. I felt respected and that my knowledge counted, while being given the right level of support.
“It’s tough and you’re working on difficult cases, but I’ve really thrived here. Children’s voices and wellbeing underpin everything at Cafcass and you’re making recommendations specific to each child’s situation, so that keeps you focused.”
Dubidat finished her course at the end of October and will be graduating this week, accompanied by proud parents and partner. So what’s next?
“I’ll be keeping an eye on Cafcass newly qualified social worker vacancies for sure.”
And her advice to people who are considering studying social work? “It’s the most challenging, but most worthwhile thing I’ve done. If you have the thought that you want to do it, definitely do!”
Cafcass offers around 80 placements to social work students every year. If you have any questions about student placements email Debbie Blackshaw, practice learning and professional development manager. For the organisation’s current vacancies, visit the Cafcass website.
Content on this page is produced and controlled by Cafcass, sponsor of the Guardian Social Care Network children’s services hub.
