Social work students on the island of Ireland: a cross-sectional survey

ABSTRACT

Understanding the characteristics, motivations, and experiences of student social workers is important to inform their professional education and support needs. To date, there has been relatively little research about social work students in Ireland, both North and South. This study reports on an all-Ireland survey of students beginning their social work course in Autumn 2018 in the six Universities delivering social work education. It describes the characteristics of the student cohort, examines the motivations behind choosing this career, and highlights some of the potentially relevant life experiences and beliefswhich may have contributed to their ambition to join the social work profession. Implications for social work education, recommendations for curriculum development, workforce planning, and the provision of appropriate support for students are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Social work education
• Ireland
• curriculum development
• student support
• reflective practice

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by the Office of Social Services, Department of Health, Northern Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.

Disclosure statement

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

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at QUB.

Missing data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, [CMcC]. The data are not publicly available due to [restrictions e.g. their containing information that could compromise the privacy of research participants].

Study limitations

The topic areas explored in the study were based on a review of the relevant research literature and there may well be other important aspects of people’s lives that we did not ask about. Despite the survey being anonymized at source, there is a potential for response bias, particularly where course sample sizes were small. We are also not in a position to comment on the nonresponse bias of those choosing not to participate in the survey. As a cross-sectional survey, it only reflects students’ views at a given point in time.

Notes

1. The Central Applications Office processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions.

2. Mature Students Admissions Pathway.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Office of Social Services, Department of Health NI; Northern Ireland Social Care Council.

Notes on contributors

Claire McCartan

Claire McCartan is a Research Fellow in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work QUB.

Julie Byrne

Julie Byrne is an Assistant Professor in Online Education and Development in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin (TCD).

Jim Campbell

Jim Campbell is Chair of Social Work at University College Dublin (UCD).

Declan Coogan

Declan Coogan is a Lecturer with the MA in Social Work Programme at the School of Political Science & Sociology at NUI Galway and a systemic psychotherapist (FTAI).

Gavin Davidson

Gavin Davidson is a Professor of Social Care in the School of Social Sciences, Education, and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB).

David Hayes

David Hayes is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at QUB.

Gloria Kirwan

Gloria Kirwan is a Lecturer in Social Work in the Department of Applied Social Studies at Maynooth University.

Mandi MacDonald

Mandi MacDonald is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at QUB.

Simone McCaughren

Simone McCaughren is a Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies at University College Cork (UCC).

Paula McFadden

Paula McFadden is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences at Ulster University (UU).

Caroline McGregor

Caroline McGregor is a Professor at the School of Political Science and Sociology at NUI Galway.

Lorna Montgomery

Lorna Montgomery is a Senior Lecturer and Director of Practice Learning for the BSW in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at QUB.

Maria Pentaraki

Maria Pentaraki is a Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at QUB.

Shaun Roddy

Shaun Roddy is a Lecturer in Social Work at Ulster University.

Audrey Roulston

Audrey Roulston is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at QUB.

Caroline Shore

Caroline Shore is a Lecturer and 1st Year Coordinator on the Master of Social Work course at UCC.

Elaine Wilson

Elaine Wilson is Assistant Professor, Co-Director of the PMSW programme and Director of Professional Practice in the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice at UCD.