The Client Group Preferences of Diploma in Social Work Students: What are they, do they change during programmes and what variables affect them?

Social work is undergoing fundamental changes in terms of the way it is organized and how it is practised. If, in this shifting scenario of occupational deconstruction, the output of social work education is to be relevant to the workforce needs of welfare agencies—no matter how organized—it is important to know more about the client group preferences of social work students and what factors influence them. This longitudinal study inquired into student preferences at the beginning and end of three Diploma in Social Work programmes and its findings suggest that the sociodemographic characteristics of students are less demonstrably influential than previous experience and placement experience whilst on the programmes. In addition, students attribute far less influence to lectures and tutorials as change agents than they do to placements, service users or other students. The implications of this for social work education are discussed.