Student Social Worker of the Year

           RECOGNISE INSPIRING SOCIAL WORK

Sian Miljkovic

ORGANISATION: University of Bedfordshire

AWARD(S): Student Social Worker of the Year

 

Sian Miljkovic is a student who already knows the positive difference social work can make to people’s lives. At a young age she lost her mother to cancer and has freely admitted to colleagues how important it was to have a social worker she could rely on at this time.

 

Sian is clearly motivated in her work by this experience, and by her love for her now-elderly grandparents who she went to live with after her mother’s death. She is currently in the final year of a new two-year social work degree, which involves working as a ‘family partner’ in an early help team and going to university one day a week, plus placements.

 

Sian’s nomination detailed how her skills and emotional intelligence have really come to life in each of the placements she has undertaken, with her practice educator describing her as performing “well in advance” of a social work student at this stage in their degree.

 

Sian’s capabilities have led to her working on complex cases, where her reflective practice has clearly contributed to positive outcomes for the families involved. The judges were moved by how she has really changed lives, going the extra mile in her work and studies.

WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT SIAN:

“Sian presents has having great communication skills and has developed positive working relationships with families and professionals. It looks like Sian goes the 'extra mile' not only in her studies but also in her placements. Very impressive.”

Liz Hewitt, Head of Children’s Services, Skylakes Social Work:

“Very personal motivations this lovely lady has, can be tough to persevere when there are personal challenges in your life. Great to have her in this profession.”

Zoe Betts, iamsocialwork:

“Just wanted to say thank you for all of your support. When you knocked on my door you literally turned my life around. Finally, there was a woman who understood and knew exactly what to do to help. My eyes have been opened and I feel free. I will never stop being thankful that you were sent our way.”

Service user feedback:

“Throughout her course, Sian has coped well with the numerous and various challenges of this new, work based, two-year social work degree. She takes an active leadership role within the student group, and models her passion for improving her practice and displaying social work values, all of which demonstrates her huge potential to become a highly skilled and effective social worker.

Helen Wenman, Social Work Lecturer, University of Bedfordshire:

THE JUDGES

Brian Mitchell

Lily Hopkins

Liz Hewitt

Zoe Betts

THE FINALISTS

Victoria Stephenson, Manchester Metropolitan University

Mark McConnell, The University of Huddersfield

SILVER AWARD WINNER

Sivanesan Ramamoorthy, The Open University

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