Social Worker Star!
Published Wednesday 21st July 10 in Council - news and information releases news
Congratulations abound for an Assistant Social Worker who achieved a first class honours degree after being sponsored through his studies by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council.
Lovemore Mbawa, who was sponsored by the Council's Adults and Community Services Department, gained a first class BA (Hons) degree in Social Work from University of Essex, South East Essex College.
This was the only first class honours degree awarded on the course in 2010.
The Social Work BA (Hons) degree is a full time course accredited by the General Social Care Council (GSCC) which gives the professional qualification for social work.
Mr.Mbawa was able to carry out his studies in conjunction with his regular job with Southend Community Mental Health Team.
He attended the course full-time during the terms, and returned to his normal duties as an assistant social worker during vacations.
The course required students to undertake 200 days of practice-based learning in at least two social work settings.
Mr Mbawa's first placement was in child social care, working within Shoeburyness High School to help children with disabilities, dealing with difficult family issues or children who were having behavioural issues.
His next placement was within Rayleigh Community Mental Health Team.
Mr Mbawa said: "I am extremely grateful for all the support the Council has given me throughout my course. They took a lot of pressure off, so I was able to focus purely on my studies, allowing me to do the best I possibly could! This experience was hard work but fulfilling as I have always had a passion for helping people.
"I had very little experience of working with children before my second year placement, and I came to really enjoy it, but I was more relaxed working with adults, and have managed to secure a social worker role within my current team working in adult mental health.'
Councillor Anna Waite, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, said: "We all sincerely want to congratulate Mr Mbawa on his achievement and are pleased that we have been able to help further his career.
"We look forward to watching him flourish as a fully qualified social worker."