A Message of Thanks from the School of Education and Social Work

Every year we welcome social work students from the University of Sussex to complete a placement with us. It is a real highlight of the year to see both to see their confidence grow over the course of the placement but also to gain fresh perspectives on the work that we do.

Last month we received a letter of thanks from Karen Okuefuna-Budd, Director of Practice Learning at the University of Sussex, which highlighted the impact that these placements have on the student's learning experience.

"First, I would like to thank you all for providing placement opportunities and support to our students.

The University is very aware of the need to provide students with a rich and varied experience that prepares them for practice and is also mindful of the work that involves. Thank you.

Students value their placement and recognise how important they are to develop the necessary skills and knowledge for practice.  I know you have all worked extremely hard to ensure students have had a productive learning experience.

Professor Janet Boddy, Head of the School of Education and Social Work, has also asked me to convey her thanks. She says: 

'On behalf of the School and of our Social Work Department - including Karen Okuefuna-Budd (Director of Practice Learning), Henry Smith (BASW Course Lead), Rachel Larkin (MA/PGDipSW Course Lead), Reima Ana Maglajlic (Head of the Department of Social Work and Social Care) and our academic advisors - we express our sincere gratitude to our wider partnership colleagues for all of their work through the year, and for the quality and supportive placements provided to all our Student Social Workers. 

The success of our work together is clearly visible in our position in national rankings - 3rd in the UK for Social Work in The Guardian University Guide 2026 and 2nd (out of 73 social work training providers nationally) in the 2025 National Student Survey.  These rankings reflect the great strengths of practice learning and professional experience that students benefit from through our partnerships.' "