An eye opener which struck me and I feel that I can reflect on in semester 1 is the working together module and visit to Dundee Children and Families Social Work Department in Lochee.  This was a very impacting visit and I feel even though I am not naive to the world I didn’t realise to the extent of child neglect in and around Dundee.  With a fantastic group of 10, we all worked together to come up with questions for the department visit.  The manager, family support worker and newly appointed social worker all talked to us about their role in the area and also about why it was so important to work together with schools, social work and CLD to create a collegiate society all with the child in the centre.

Reflecting on this visit it was a fantastic opportunity to get a real insight into what happens day to day in a children and families social work department.  As I am studying primary teaching it was interesting for me to see a different occupation and the importance of it in Dundee.   The passion from our speakers was also very evident throughout the 2/3 hour visit and they were very descriptive and enlightening.

With the Working Together module being multidisciplinary I was able to work alongside trainee primary teachers, social workers and CLD students. We shared our opinions and listened well as a group with equal contribution and felt we clicked as a whole group.  With the visit, we had to create a presentation as a group to highlight key areas for discussion and we worked hard together and managed to get a good result.

Overall a fantastic visit and experience working together to improve our understanding of the importance in future career to have the child at the centre. Also the importance of working alongside many different people to create a safe, healthy, achieving, nurturing, active, respected, responsible and included (SHANARRI) environment for the children in our care and in the community around. (word press representing good team working)