Social work intensive a 'gamechanger'

A week-long social work intensive learning pilot program, held concurrently in Canberra and Wagga Wagga in 2023, was hailed as a success, sparking hopes that more locations will be offered in the future to improve access to social work education.

Thirty-seven Bachelor of Social Work (CRICOS 25195D) students completed their Social Work Theory and Practice Two intensive through the program. It focused on supporting students from non-conventional backgrounds, such as mature-age or part-time students, as well as those affected by cost-of-living challenges.

Senior Lecturer and Course Director of the Bachelor of Social Work in the Charles Sturt School of Social Work and Arts, Dr Trish Mackey, said the feedback on the intensive had been positive.

“It was wonderful to work with the students and see their excitement for social work practice,” Dr Mackey said. “The pilot was a gamechanger for improving the accessibility of intensives for our social work student cohort.”