Adam Virani

Adam studied BA (Hons) Social Work to help provide support to others in need. Benefiting from two work placements as part of his course, he has used the experiences to transition into new roles and drive his career forward in Australia. Here he reflects on his time and development at Solent and how his experiences have helped him pursue his dream career.

Why did you decide to study an undergraduate course?

Having grown up as a gay man from an Indian/Muslim background in a small conservative town in the UK, I dealt with more than my fair share of identity crises and mental health struggles. I found strength through the help of trusted individuals and therapy. It was during this time I realised that I wanted to provide the same support to others, and social work became the perfect blend of channelling my personal experiences and finding a career that could help others break through the tough stuff too.

Did you have any concerns about studying an undergraduate course?

Oh yes! I wondered if I’d be emotionally destroyed before I even finished the first module. Social work is heavy business, especially if you’ve already got a bit of emotional baggage. But Solent was like my safety blanket. My course mates, my lecturers, and the endless reflection sessions - they all made sure I wasn’t drowning in empathy but learning how to manage it like a pro.

What was the best thing about your course lecturers?

Honestly, it was like being taught by superheroes in regular clothes!! These lecturers had seen it all in the social work world, and still managed to be the most approachable bunch of humans you’ll ever meet. They weren’t just about theory too - they showed us how to navigate the reality of social work with patience, resilience and curiosity. No question was ever too small or too ridiculous (trust me I tested that!).

Did you do any work experience as part of your course?

Yes, I had two placements that were absolutely pivotal in shaping me as a Social Worker. The first was with the Protection and Court Child Safeguarding team with Southampton City Council where I gained invaluable experience in child protection and court-related cases. The second was a joint Southampton City Council / Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) team, where I worked alongside health and social care professionals, leading on Large Scale Safeguarding Enquiries / Quality Assurance with local care providers. Both of these placements helped me develop critical skills in case management, safeguarding, and multi-agency work - all of which have been incredibly useful as I’ve transitioned into new roles.

Tell us a bit about your experience as an undergraduate student.

It was 100% a balancing act between course work, placements, and trying to maintain some sort of social life. But despite the busy schedule, I never felt like I was going it alone. I always had someone to turn to, whether that was a classmate or a lecturer. Plus, the placement aspect gave me a sense of purpose early on. By the time I graduated, I wasn’t just leaving with a degree but with real world experience that made me feel confident stepping into my first role. I was able to develop a network of professionals that I’m still in touch with today, even after moving abroad to Australia.

How did Solent prepare you for your career?

Solent equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to step straight into social work. The focus on practical and real-world application of social work theory gave me a solid foundation. My placements not only introduced me to child protection and healthcare settings but also helped me develop key interpersonal and case management skills. These experiences were vital when I decided to move to Australia, as I was able to transfer many of these skills to my new roles here. Solent taught me the importance of adaptability and critical thinking, which has been crucial in working in an international setting.

What’s been your proudest career achievement?

One of my proudest moments was supporting a man with dementia, a history of suicide attempts, and frequent hospital admissions for self-neglect and insulin overdoses after his wife passed away the previous year. He was aggressive towards staff and hated being in the hospital, making discharge planning even more challenging. I discovered that he loved dogs, so I arranged for a local dementia charity to bring a therapy dog to visit him twice a week on the ward. Not only did this lift his spirits, but it also helped nurses engage with him more effectively. Fighting against pressures for a rushed discharge, I coordinated with diabetes nurses, dementia specialists, mental health teams, and local charities to develop a comprehensive long-term care plan that respected his wish to stay at home. This approach prevented readmissions, and he was only admitted once in the remaining eight months I worked in the team. Moments like these remind me why I chose this profession!

Tell us a little bit about your current role.

Currently, I’m working as a Child Contact Officer, and Male Domestic Violence Support Worker at Relationships Australia NSW. In my Child Contact role, I manage supervised contact sessions between children and their non-residential parents, ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved. In my role as a Male Domestic Violence Support Worker, I provide crisis support and long-term services to men affected by domestic violence. Australia has been a wild and crazy adventure, but thanks to Solent, the skills I learned back in the UK translated pretty smoothly. I’m loving the challenge of learning new systems while bringing some British social work flair to the table!

Do you have any advice for anyone thinking of studying in your subject area?

If you’re thinking of studying social work, be prepared for a challenging yet deeply rewarding career. It requires resilience, empathy, and a commitment to continuous curiosity and learning. It’s tested me in ways I didn’t anticipate, but it also gave rewarding moments I didn’t think were possible. My main piece of advice - is definitely make the most of your placements - they are your crash course in the realities of the job. And don’t be afraid to lean on your course mates and lecturers. Solent is fantastic for offering real world experience and the support you’ll need to navigate it.

You've also done some volunteer work in Indonesia, can you tell us a little about that?

I took a few weeks out of work in Sydney to spend some time volunteering at the Yayasan Widya Sari Foundation in Tianyar - Indonesia. I helped with young children in a kindergarten setting in the mornings, supporting the teachers with childcare. In the afternoons, I am teaching English to 2 classes of 15 children aged 13 - 15 years old. This hands-on experience allowed me to foster creativity, patience, and cross-cultural communication, while contributing to the community’s educational efforts. On one of the weekdays, we support the children to complete a clean-up of trash on the nearby beach. It has been an incredibly rewarding opportunity to create meaningful connections and witness the children’s growth over my few weeks in the program. /

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

Moving to Australia was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and it’s been a total game-changer both personally and professionally. Solent set me up to thrive not just in the UK, but internationally. I’m so incredibly grateful for the experiences I had at Solent and would encourage anyone to consider it as the starting point for a rewarding and impactful career.