A 70-day placement is required during the Social Work BA (Hons) degree, and I selected Rix Inclusive Research for my placement. This article will focus on my experiences whilst at RIX, the importance of inclusive employers and how the student placements provided by RIX are truly person centred.
Before beginning my placement, an interview was arranged between myself, Gosia (placement tutor), and Kanchan (placement supervisor). A segment of the interview was around accommodations I may need as well as my preferences of placement as RIX work with many organisations that provide a range of opportunities. Hearing this as an anxious but eager student about to embark on my first placement put my nerves at ease. This provided an early insight into how RIX really prioritise a person centred approach.
Throughout my time at Rix Inclusive Research, I was able to apply theory to practice, which is key as a student Social Worker. One theory that I researched which supported my learning is the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories (Hobfoll, 1989, Demerouti et al., 2001). Evangelia Demerouti proposes that working conditions can be categorised into two brand categories, job demands and job resources.
Job demands are those physical, social, or organisational aspects of the job that require sustained physical or mental effort and are therefore associated with certain physiological and/or psychological costs, … job resources… help achieve work goals, reduce job demands or the consequences of job demands, and stimulate personal growth and development. (Demerouti et al., 2001).
This shows how balancing demands with the correct resources is essential to reduce exhaustion and support wellbeing.
I believe that RIX are consistently striving to meet this balance with their employees, many of whom are neurodivergent. Flexibility is key when ensuring balance. Most employees at RIX work remotely which can be very beneficial as this can provide a customizable and low sensory environment (Grant, 2025). I was able to witness first hand the effectiveness and importance of a truly person centred employer. I worked with people with lived experience (PWLE) who were thriving and being unapologetically authentic, which was incredibly refreshing and inspiring.
Although RIX consistently strives to accommodate all individuals there are still some barriers which are out of their control.
One example of this was transport. People with lived experience often rely on local companies that have accessible vehicles. One barrier to this was individuals trying to access services during peak hours. Their local company often prioritised helping children to school which made the PWLE I was supporting late as this was their only mode of transport.
This not only caused delays but also introduced stress and uncertainty, potentially affecting their ability to fully engage in research activities. It highlights a broader systemic issue, where limited accessible transport services must balance competing demands, sometimes unintentionally disadvantaging adults with lived experience. Such challenges can undermine the principles of inclusive research, as reliable access is essential for equitable participation.
Overall, I am extremely grateful to have completed my placement at Rix Inclusive Research. This experience has supported my ongoing professional development, broadened my understanding of inclusive research practices, and provided valuable firsthand experience working alongside people with lived experience.
The person centred approach adopted by RIX fostered a positive and supportive working and learning environment, which helped to mitigate the risk of burnout, an issue that is particularly prevalent within social work. This approach enabled me to feel genuinely valued, respected, and confident in my contributions, reinforcing the importance of inclusive and compassionate practice in my future career.
Courtney Burrisson, social work student