Getting started

‘Most social work courses start with university-based learning. The opportunity to try out the theories, skills and methods you have read about and practised in the classroom is an exciting prospect, but it can also be a daunting one. This chapter aims to help you make the most of your placement by being as well prepared as you can be. One of the most important ways of doing this is to take the advice of the students quoted above and plan ahead. We will make some suggestions about how to achieve this as well as providing tips, practical advice, exercises and information about how to ensure that the beginning of your placement is an enjoyable and effective learning experience.