A golden opportunity
January 31, 2024
A work placement at Anglicare Tasmania can open the door to a satisfying career in social work.
Anglicare social worker Ivana (pictured above, right with Anglicare program manager Brittany) had completed a business degree in her home country of Switzerland before making the move to Tasmania and switching her focus to social work. She spent a 14-week practical placement with Anglicare between May and August last year as part of the four-year Bachelor of Social Work with Honours degree at the University of Tasmania.
During the placement she was exposed to several programs run under the umbrella of Housing and Community Services, including programs for children, families and young people and accommodation services. It aligned well with her academic study experience and she graduated with her degree last year.
Ivana says:
Anglicare is a goldmine for social work students. My work placement was wonderful. All of the people I worked with were supportive and approachable. One of my supervisors, Brittany, was amazing – she took so much time with me. The managers were kind and friendly. I knew by the end of the placement that I really wanted to stay here.
Ivana began her employment with Anglicare last year in a part-time role in the Needle and Syringe Program before transferring to housing services to cover a support worker’s parental leave. This year she is working as a practitioner in The Way Back Support Service.
“I’m enjoying connecting with my clients and providing the support that they need,” she said. “I’m learning a lot from my colleagues who deliver the program from our Sorell, Hobart and Glenorchy offices. They’re teaching me the importance of taking very detailed notes. My work days are full of learning and I’m feeling very lucky,” she said.
Anglicare’s Program Manager for Families, Children and Young People (South) Brittany said: “Hosting social work students gave team members the opportunity to reflect on and articulate their work outside of the day-to-day routine. Fresh perspectives help remind us why we do what we do, and how much of a privilege it is to support Tasmanians.”
More information
Anglicare’s partnership with the University of Tasmania includes funding the Anglicare Scholarship in Social Work. The successful recipient for 2024 will be announced in the coming months.
Studying with TasTAFE can also open the door to a role in community services.
TasTAFE offers a range of courses in health and community services (including aged care and disability support). Some of its courses are fee-free.
Anglicare also partners with TasTAFE to offer students in the Youth2Independence program the Certificate 1 in Developing Independence.
