Understanding the motivations and barriers for social work students in Wales
Here, Dr Tom Slater, our Education Quality Assurance manager shares the findings of a student survey about why they chose a career in social work.
In the autumn of 2023-24, we asked social work students in Wales to complete a survey to help us understand their awareness of the social worker role, reasons for choosing to study social work and any barriers they face. 106 students completed the survey, 72 of whom were undergraduates and 34 postgraduates.
Motivations to study social work
The survey’s findings show that 90 per cent of students said that the main reason they’d chosen to study social work is the desire to work with people and make a difference. This highlights the altruistic nature of those entering the social work profession. Other motivations include career progression (50 per cent) and gaining transferable skills (25.5 per cent). Interestingly, financial incentives were a minor factor, with only 11 per cent citing it as a motivation.
Understanding the role of a social worker
Students’ understanding of the social work role often comes from direct or indirect experiences with social workers (37.7 per cent) and recommendations from employers or managers (16 per cent). Only a small percentage (5.7 per cent) learned about the role through publicity or awareness campaigns, indicating a potential area for improvement in outreach efforts.
Barriers to studying social work
Funding and time to study are the most significant barriers for students. A substantial 67.9 per cent said that funding is a major obstacle, while 64.2 per cent noted the challenge of balancing study with other commitments. Only a small number of students felt that the application process and access to local courses were barriers, suggesting that these areas are relatively well-managed.
Impact of post-graduate bursary increase
The increase in post-graduate bursaries has had a notable impact, with 53 per cent of post-graduate students sharing that the offer of a higher bursary influenced their decision to study. 76.5 per cent said that they wouldn’t have been able to start their studies without the increased financial support. This shows how important financial aid is in helping students to study social work.
Effectiveness of the WeCare.Wales campaign
The WeCare.Wales social work campaign has had a positive impact, with 34 per cent of students aware of the campaign and 88.9 per cent of those reporting that the campaign showed social work in a positive manner. This suggests that while the campaign is effective, there’s room to increase its reach and raise awareness among potential students.
Conclusion and recommendations
The survey highlights the need for continued financial support and effective promotional campaigns to attract and retain social work students. Key recommendations include:
- financial support: Continue to make sure prospective applicants know about the student bursaries and funding support that’s available.
- promotional efforts: Work on making sure that potential students know about awareness campaigns like WeCare.Wales to improve public perception and understanding of the social work profession.
- support for students: Create and share more flexible study options and support from employers to help students balance work and study and manage their time.
By continuing to work on these areas, we’ll provide better support for social work students and ensure a qualified and professional workforce dedicated to making a difference in their communities.