April 25, 2025

They’re not just students – they’re the future of social care

Recently, I sat in on a PSS Board of Trustees meeting as part of my year-long Board Apprentice experience. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – every time I attend, I walk away with new insight, new admiration, and a heart that feels a little fuller than when I arrived.

This particular meeting left a real impression on me – and it’s all thanks to a group of students currently on placement with PSS. They were invited along to share their experiences with the Board. And what they shared was nothing short of honest, heartfelt, and deeply powerful.

In a world where social care workers often go unseen and unheard, these students reminded us why this work matters so much – and why the next generation of social workers must be nurtured with care, respect and opportunity.

A Room Full of Heart

One by one, the students spoke about their placements. Some were nervous. One even got emotional. But every single one of them was brave enough to speak their truth – about what they’d learned, what they’d witnessed, and how PSS had impacted their journey.

And I’ll be honest – it was wonderful to witness. Because it wasn’t just about ticking boxes or gaining experience for a qualification. It was about growth. Real, human growth. The kind you can only gain by being in spaces where empathy leads the way.

They weren’t rattling off job tasks or academic jargon. They spoke about people. About relationships. About how it felt to walk alongside someone going through something difficult. They spoke about what it means to see a person and not just a ‘case’.

One comment made really struck a chord:

“We are not working with cases. We are working with people. It’s important not to lose the person in the midst of the process.”

That one sentence sums up so much of what good social care looks like. It’s not about processes or systems or paperwork. It’s about people. It always has been, and always should be.

What PSS Does So Well

The students’ reflections reminded me just how special PSS is. One of the team shared this powerful line:

“What we do, we do well. We make a difference to people’s lives. And we know what good looks like.”

It landed with everyone in the room. Because it’s true. PSS isn’t just doing work – they’re doing good work. Work that changes lives. Work that helps people get through the hardest of times with dignity, care and support. And that ‘good’ isn’t accidental. It’s cultivated. It’s thoughtful. It’s person-centred. And it’s real.

I think sometimes when organisations are doing the work day in, day out, it can be easy to forget just how impactful it really is. But listening to those students reminded all of us: this work matters. And PSS is doing it with heart.

Planting Seeds for the Future

What really stood out for me was how intentional PSS is about nurturing the next generation of social workers. The fact that students are invited into these spaces, encouraged to speak, and celebrated for their growth says a lot.

One team member put it perfectly:

“PSS is part of their journey – so let’s make them the best social workers they can be.”

This isn’t just about placements. It’s about shaping the future of social care. Giving students real-world experience in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment – where they’re not just observers, but active contributors.

And let’s be honest: we need more of this. As the social care sector faces huge challenges – from funding cuts to growing demand – we must invest in the people who will one day lead and shape this work.

As someone said during the meeting (and I can’t stop thinking about it):

“They will be the social workers and carers looking after us one day.”

That’s a powerful thought, isn’t it? These students aren’t just learners – they’re the future of care. The ones who will fight for fairness. The ones who will comfort and support those in need. The ones who will continue the mission long after our time.

Relationships Over Reports

There’s a lot of talk in the sector about systems, targets, and outcomes. But what really matters – what truly makes a difference – is relationships.

One student said:

“I built relationships with the people that PSS supports. PSS gave me the time and space to get to know the families. It has been a really good experience.”

That word – relationships – is so central to everything PSS does. Whether it’s supporting someone through a mental health crisis, helping a parent regain confidence, or standing alongside an asylum seeker navigating a new system – the foundation is always relationship, trust and time.

Students are often rushed in and out of placements, asked to shadow but not to connect. That’s not the case here. At PSS, students are invited to build trust, to ask questions, to listen, and to understand the human side of the work. And that, in turn, helps them become more compassionate, more informed, and more effective social workers in the long run.

Another reflection shared was:

“I learnt a great deal about the asylum system.”

That learning didn’t come from a textbook – it came from lived experience. From listening to people who’ve walked that path. That kind of learning can’t be measured with a score. But it can shape a lifetime of practice.

When People Leave, a Part of PSS Leaves with Them

Another memorable thing I heard at the meeting was this:

“When these students leave, a part of PSS leaves with them.”

It’s such a beautiful way to look at things. PSS isn’t just helping students learn – it’s leaving a lasting imprint on them. The values. The way of working. The human touch. It stays with them. Wherever they go next, a piece of PSS goes too.

And that’s the kind of legacy any organisation should strive for. Not just a name on a CV – but a mark on the heart.

Final Reflections

Being part of that meeting, surrounded by trustees, staff and students, I was reminded again of why I’m so proud to be shadowing the Board at PSS. This is an organisation that walks its talk. That doesn’t just say it values people – it shows it, every day, in every way.

From the way it supports the people who use its services, to how it champions its staff, and now to how it nurtures students – PSS is building a future rooted in kindness, respect and care.

These students will go on to do amazing things. And when they do, they’ll carry the PSS way with them.

They’re not just students. They’re the future of social care. And they’ve been shaped by the very best.