Hi, my name is Meky, I was a student social worker at Gaddum. I worked for Salford Young Carers, supporting children and young people who take care of their loved ones.

During my time at Gaddum I carried out assessments, making sure the needs of children are being met in terms of education, health, and social life – and [identifying] any risks that might be involved.

Did you have any worries or expectations before you started here as a student?

I was worried about being able to balance my academic requirements and my practice. Also [I was concerned about] being able engage with children and build trust…

But for me, going into the role, I was welcomed, not judged, and supported to improve my skills in the field of social work so I could make a positive impact in the lives of children that I worked with.

What did a typical day look like for you on placement?

A typical day involved going to schools to meet with young carers, carrying out assessments, and doing some direct work in order to capture information and listen to any concerns they might have with caring responsibilities. I also made sure to write my casenotes, keep up my reflective practice, and supervision was very useful every day.

What were some key skills you learned?

During my time at Gaddum I learned a lot of skills. One was listening and effective communication. Especially as I was working with children, using age-appropriate language and making sure that they were at the centre of decisions [was important].

In terms of time management, organisation was key – making use of my calendar to plan my visits, making time to write my reflective log, write my casenotes, making sure I’m always present when I visit my service users. Building relationships is another key skill.

Do you have a favourite moment or memory at Gaddum?

One of my favourite pieces of work I’m proud of was running a group session for three young carers – bringing them together to give them some confidence and help them know that they are not alone in their caring responsibilities. That particular piece of work made a lot of impact and the students wanted the session to continue, and I believe it’s still ongoing at that school today. It was a really memorable event for me.

Where are you working now?

I just completed my 100-day placement with the Cared for Children’s Team at Manchester City Council, and they’ve now offered me a job because I made a good impact. It wouldn’t have been possible without this training and support I’ve had from Gaddum.

Do you have any advice for future social work students joining Gaddum?

Always embrace any opportunities that come your way. You might face some challenges but always be open to learn – always be passionate about developing your skills because once you have passion, you can overcome those challenges.

Also, make time to reflect on your practice because you’ll be able to understand what needs to happen and how to improve yourself.