Finding professional placements for social work students is often difficult . This is a national problem, from which Sussex is not exempt. Relations with regional providers are good, but are often reliant on informal and individual contacts. Students on placement generally feel well supported and are visited twice during the placement by university tutors. The consistency of practice teaching is enhanced by the University's course for practice teachers.
Opening hours are good, and include weekends and bank holidays.
Special short-loan arrangements are made for social work students because of their placement commitments off campus, and multiple copies of books in heavy demand are provided. The rate of usage by MSW students is high, but there are some signs of unmet demand, despite the care taken in library purchasing and the considerable efforts made to meet students' needs through improved circulation of stock. Social work students present their coursework in word-processed form, but some are handicapped by poor keyboard skills. Social work tutors and students make relatively little use of databases and computer learning packages, and there could be advantages in the increased use of IT to enhance learning. At particular stages in their course, MSW students make substantial use of the University Media Service Unit's video recording and playback equipment for filming and viewing role-play.