The Social Workers Union's student essay writing competition is now open

Published by Professional Social Work magazine - 4 April, 2023

Social work students and apprentices could win £500 by entering the Social Workers Union’s annual essay writing competition.

Four grants worth £500 each will be awarded to the winning entries, one of which will also be published in Professional Social Work magazine.

This year’s essay question is:

How can social workers best support the diverse communities across the UK who are making change through joint social action?

Undergraduates, postgraduates and social work apprentices across the UK are invited to enter by 23 June. Assignments must be between 750 to 1,000 words long.

John McGowan, General Secretary of SWU, said: “Diversity is important to social work – the concept of understanding that each individual is unique, and that each of our individual differences share a purpose in society.

“Within social work, we already see the importance of bringing different races, nationalities, religions and sexes together as one community. And doing so holds a number of advantages for all we work with.

“When we live, work, and socialise in culturally diverse communities, I suggest that we are stronger, and that’s why we need diversity and opportunities to create social change.”

McGowan added: “The competition grows in submission numbers every year and the quality of assignments are always impressive.”

Assignments should be typed, including your full name, the assignment question as the title, and must follow an academic process, such as word count and the Harvard Referencing System.

Forward completed assignments before the closing date with a covering letter giving your name, address, university, year of study and academic tutor (if appropriate) to: joanne.marciano@swu-union.org.uk

For more information click here