“My care experience helps me understand the positive impact social workers make to people’s lives” – says third-year Social Work student

Date: Monday, July 28, 2025

A Social Work student who is weeks away from completing her degree has spoken of her ambition to “be the social worker that changes a young person’s outlook of the care system”.

Alisha Carrington, who is in her final year of her Social Work undergraduate degree at Wrexham University and a care leaver, is currently in the process of applying for roles as a social worker and says she believes her lived experience helps her to understand both the professional and young person.

She said: “As someone who has been under the care of social services on and off since the age of 11, I have a unique understanding and appreciation of both sides – as I have been that young person in care but also an adult that has been studying and training to fulfil my personal goal of becoming a social worker.”

Alisha, 23, says that one of her aspirations is to change the perception of the profession for the better.

“People’s perceptions and portrayal of the profession on TV generally tends to focus on the negatives, when actually there are a lot of amazing social workers out there, who work tirelessly day-in, day-out and make a positive difference to the lives of those they support,” she said.

“As someone who is care-experienced I know this to be true myself. I have had some incredible social workers throughout my life, who have truly been in my corner – from my first social worker, Kerry, who was fantastic during my teenage years, then Nicky later on in my teens to my current social worker, Adie. All of them have been a brilliant support to me in different ways.”

Alisha is urging more young people with care experience to consider a career in Social Work.

She said: “When I first applied for university, I was concerned that my background would count against me – but that couldn’t be further from reality. My care experience has made me even better equipped for a career in Social Work – as it’s made me resilient but also even more empathic as I can relate well to young people, who are in the system.

“I would strongly encourage any young person who has care experience and is considering a career in Social Work to go for it.

“The sector will benefit hugely from your lived experience – you have a unique perspective through your own journey, plus you will be extremely well supported here at Wrexham University. I can’t thank my lecturers enough for their support throughout my three years.”

Nick Hoose, Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Wrexham University, added: “All of us at the University are enormously proud of Alisha and everything she has accomplished while studying with us.

“She is going to be a fantastic social worker, due to her empathy, resilience and insight – qualities that are crucial in Social Work. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to her studies, and I have no doubt that she will go onto make a lasting and meaningful difference to young people and families.

“I also echo Alisha’s views on the need for more young people with lived experience to consider a career in Social Work – I am firmly of the mind that those with their own experience of the care system bring invaluable insights. Those students often possess a strong ability to connect with service users, having navigated those systems themselves.”

Wrexham University’s Social Work degree has been ranked first in Wales and second in the UK for student satisfaction in the Social Work subject area league table in the Complete University Guide 2026.

• There’s still time to apply for the September 2025 intake of the Social Work degree at Wrexham University, you can find out more about the programme here.