Buddy up! Student mentoring in a social work undergraduate programme

ABSTRACT

This article reports on the findings of a collaborative research project conducted by student researchers and academic staff members, exploring the buddying (peer mentoring) scheme in an undergraduate social work programme in England contextualised using Communities of Practice. Volunteer student mentors are assigned a group of students in the year below to mentor individually throughout their social work degree. During 2019–2020, an agreement with local authority partners was reached to enable student buddies who were newly qualified social workers (NQSWs) to continue to mentor during their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE); this is a unique and original feature of this mentoring scheme. Focus groups were used to obtain the views and experiences of students (mentors and mentees). Individual interviews were conducted with NQSWs undertaking their ASYE who continued to act as buddies/mentors for year 3 students. Very little has been written about buddying/mentoring in relation to social work education and this study expands existing knowledge. Findings indicate the value of the mentoring scheme for students and ASYEs, possible pitfalls and important learning points on scheme improvements.

KEYWORDS:

• Social work
• peer mentoring
• higher education
• assessed and supported year in employment
• student researchers

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by Teesside University’s Student as Researcher initiative.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. In England, there are post-qualifying Knowledge and Skills Statements for social workers in Children and Adult services which outline what social workers in adults or children’s services should have knowledge of and what skills they should possess post qualification.

2. In England, the PCF (Professional Capabilities Framework) provides benchmarks of knowledge, values and skills for social workers at all stages of their career, from student to senior manager.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Teesside University’s Student as Researcher initiative.

Notes on contributors

Diane Simpson

Dr. Diane Simpson was employed by Teesside University when data was collected and is now employed at the University of Sunderland.

Bethany Pearson

Bethany Pearson is now a newly qualified social worker employed by North Yorkshire County Council.

Marie Kelly

Marie Kelly is now a newly qualified social worker employed by CAFCASS.

Ian Mendum

Ian Mendum is now a newly qualified social worker employed by Darlington Borough Council.

Amy Lockwood

Amy Lockwood is now a newly qualified social worker employed by Stockton Borough Council.