Expert By Experience Young Person Gives Inspirational Challenge to Final Year Social Workers at Magee University of Ulster

Expert By Experience Young Person Gives Inspirational Challenge to Final Year Social Workers at Magee UU

Leona, an Expert By Experience Youth Mentor and care experienced young person, took the brave opportunity to share her personal story to over 150 final year social work students and 40 social work employers in order to inspire, educate and create change, as they get ready to take next steps in their professional career. The social work roundtable employability event, now in its ninth year, brings together final year social work students from Ulster University and social work employers from all sectors across Northern Ireland. The event is delivered by the faculty of Arts Humanities and Social Services in partnership with Ulster University’s Employability and Careers team. The Department of Health and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council participate in the roundtable discussions.

Organised by Dr Denise MacDermott, Senior Lecturer and Subject Lead for social work at Ulster University, the event was held in Derry City Hotel for the students aimed to prepare them for employment within the world of social work. Leona an Expert By Experience Youth Mentor with Include Youth, is passionate about making a societal difference for care experience young people. Bringing her lived experience and own personal anecdotes to the platform, Leona spoke boldly about what mattered to her as she navigated her way through the care system with social workers.

Leona’s insight was filled with drops of wisdom in ‘Developing a Good Relationship’ and ‘What Makes a Good Social Worker’. She shared these take away points:

• Importance of small gestures: Something as simple as a returned phone call have a profound effect. Leona shared the significance of a returned phone call can make especially when so many life changing decisions can be made. It allows you to feel heard, valued and understood.

• Impact of One Trusted Adult: Leona was able to reflect on a positive relationship with her social worker that made a lasting impact on her life. This trusted relationship allowed Leona to feel respected and she reflected on the individual approach taken when they worked together. Much was the impact, that Leona remembers writing her a poem of thanks and even now the social worker still keeps on her desk. There is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people that can go beyond your time of working with them.

• Remember Your Why: Leona stressed the importance of remembering WHY you decided you wanted to be a social worker, what drove you to take on this career and when times are hard and work is stretched to never forget this motivation.

The feedback on the day as amazing with many students commenting how it was the most valuable learning for them hearing from her perspective. Leona’s inspirational insight left a huge mark in the lives of the student social workers that day, and one that will create positive change for the future.