“It did confirm that I want to work in the prison environment, I also was offered a job with PACT as a family liaison officer and currently working with them during the summer break from Uni with the bonus of being paid!”
Why did you choose this organisation to do your placement and how did you find the opportunity?
I chose this placement because I have a passion for rehabilitation and an interest into how prisons help this process. I found this opportunity through the University of South Wales which was extremely helpful.
Was this placement virtual or physical or a bit of both?
The training courses were virtual and the work placement was physical.
What did you find most valuable about the work you undertook?
Being able to tune into people's feelings and knowing how to use body language and language to diffuse situations and reassure people with compassion and empathy in a sensitive environment.
What new skills and knowledge did you gain?
I learnt to listen more in a non-judgemental way, to be empathetic and to problem solve, liaising with multi-agencies.
How will this placement help with your career?
It did confirm that I want to work in the prison
environment, I also was offered a job with PACT as a family liaison officer
and currently working with them during the summer break from Uni with the bonus
of being paid!
What advice would you give future student cohorts?
Apply early! I am very grateful that I applied for the
position as soon as it was released in the summer as it took from July to
October to start with all the training and criminal background checks that need
obtaining.
Please comment on the support you received from the
University and/or your placement organisation?
The support received was second to none. I could not ask for
more.