'By taking on the role we are giving back'

Emily Kelly, Probation Officer with the Community Service team, discusses the importance of being a mentor to students on placement.

On reflection, my practice placement was probably one of the most memorable experiences from my Master's programme at UCD; it was a mix of good and a few not-so-good memories.

I remember looking forward to the placement but also being nervous and anxious as to what to expect. On the whole, I learned a great deal during my placement, and in particular, I learned a lot about myself both personally and professionally.

I qualified as social worker in 2011 and I first started working in Child Protection with Tusla. I remember observing students on placement and knew I would love to provide a placement once I became more experienced. I first began working with students in 2016 and 2017, while still working with Tusla, and then most recently this past January, with a wonderful first-year student from UCD.

Looking back to when I was first assigned my first student in 2016, it was initially slightly daunting but I was also ready for it and excited by the prospect. I reminded myself of how the student must have felt; it was no doubt a more nerve-wracking experience for her! I was curious though and wanted to set myself the challenge. I was also enthusiastic for change and I believed the placement would benefit my professional development.

While I hadn’t worked with a placement student since 2017, and while I was admittedly a little rusty, I was confident about taking on the role again. Also, attending the Practice Teacher training helped me in connecting with other practice teachers and re-familiarising with what’s expected.

“Mentoring a student is many things - enriching, challenging, time consuming, rewarding, tiring and humbling. It is not always easy but that’s what makes it interesting and worthwhile.”

I was filled with excitement and energy when I decided I was ready to take on a student again this year. I felt I needed it, to keep me refreshed and energised in my role. I had the support of my manager and team which helped a lot too. Mentoring a student is many things - enriching, challenging, time consuming, rewarding, tiring and humbling. It is not always easy but that’s what makes it interesting and worthwhile. Besides, anything that is worthwhile and meaningful is never straight forward and easy in my view!

I would encourage all practitioners to work with a student. It can be easy to shy away from the prospect and sometimes life and personal circumstances make it difficult to do so, but when you feel you can, and are in a mental space to be (extra) patient, kind and approachable, I would encourage you to do it.

It can be a little intimidating when you get the student’s details and perhaps they are repeating a placement, but do link in with colleagues for support and it’s worth remembering that typically the placement student is more nervous, especially as they are working towards successfully passing their placement.

I know as Practice Teachers we have the task of assessing the student and at times, it is not plain sailing. Again, this is all perfectly normal and part of any people management/mentoring role.

My always ‘go to’ thought is that a Practice Teacher guided me through my two placements, and by taking on the role we are giving back. After all, if it means we have the opportunity to train more social workers, and potentially one day down the line they could be a colleague of ours in the Probation Service.

So go for it – feel the fear and do it anyway!

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