Social worker’s dedication earns her university award

Illustration of a crowd of cheering people standing underneath a white banner, which reads: 'Congratulations!'

 

Congratulations to social worker Samantha McLaughlin on her recent award from the University of the West of Scotland!

Having graduated a number of years ago, Sam was “surprised” when she was again contacted by the university, with the fantastic news that her Masters Dissertation had earned her a top award:

 

“I was quite surprised as I have been a qualified social worker for 16 months and my university days are behind me.

I received a Court Medal from the University of the West of Scotland, where I completed my Postgraduate and Masters Conversion in Social Work, for my Masters Dissertation.

My dissertation was titled ‘Exploring the Definitions of Domestic Abuse, Child Contact and Implications for Social Work Practice’.

Domestic abuse and child contact is a difficult topic, with women experiencing post separation abuse through family court systems and children often forgotten about, though they are now recognised as victims too.

I felt so privileged to use my Social Work Student status to propel this subject into a dissertation and to receive the grade of Distinction for this was amazing.

To then receive the Court Medal when in a class of other fabulous students has been a real ‘WOW’ moment for me.”

 

As well as renewed self-belief, Sam says that receiving the medal has also given her the confidence to become a UWS Alumni Course Mentor:

 

“I think if I hadn’t received the medal then I would not have felt that I would be any good at this. I feel I now have the courage to support other Student Social Workers from UWS.”

 

Congratulations again to Sam on this remarkable achievement. We have no doubt that your passion for the subject will make you an asset to current social work students at UWS!