SWK-7027A Practice Education in Social Work (Norfolk and Suffolk)
Key Details
- Module Leader
- Richard Brook
- Credit Value
- 60 MA credits
Introduction
The programme supports experienced social work practitioners in supervising, mentoring, and assessing social work students and newly qualified social workers. Candidates will evidence the requirements of the Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS 2) and successful completion will entitle you to register as a Practice Educator with the local authority.
Candidates will, as part of the programme, act as Practice Educator for a student on a qualifying programme or a supervisor of a newly qualified social worker on the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) programme, with the support of a mentor.
As a candidate on this module, you will be enrolled on the MA in Advanced Social Work award (180 credits). You can exit from the MA in Advance Social Work with a Post Graduate Certificate (60 credits) or Post Graduate Diploma (120 credits).
Entry Requirements
Social workers who have been qualified and practising for at least two years and can work at Masters level academically.
Learning Outcomes. The programme will equip participants to;
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Manage social work placements and create learning environments in which students can achieve the aims of their practice-based learning periods.
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Support learners to evidence their capability under the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), Social Work England Professional Standards (SWEPS)and Knowledge and Skills Statements (KSS), and to understand how these standards inform the work of Practice Educators.
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Understand adult learning theories and apply evidence-based approaches in order to support, challenge and empower students to achieve their professional goals and requirements.
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Deliver high quality reflective supervision which enables students to think critically and learn by reflecting on their practice experience.
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Assess student’s practice in relation to the PCF, SWEPS and KSS, and to make professional judgments about learner’s performance.
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Give constructive feedback and be equipped to deal with concerns, supporting students to have the best learning experience possible.
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Work with students of all abilities, including those who are struggling, where it is necessary to have challenging conversations and design and implement action plans to encourage progress.
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Write clear, well-evidenced placement reports with justifiable recommendations.
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Demonstrate the requirements of the Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) level 2.
Teaching and Assessment
Assessment
Candidates are assessed via three discrete summative assessment events. A ‘pass’ grade must be attained for each element.
- Assignment 1. Adult learning theory and supervision. Participants will write a brief review of literature on adult learning theory and supervision. You will then plan a supervision session to address a specific learning goal for the student, share this plan with your mentor, and make a video recording of the session. The mentor will view the recording and give written feedback. You will also view the recording and reflect on the outcome, and how your goals were achieved. You will then write a structured critique of the session, indicating how the literature on adult learning and supervision informed your practice, and on the learning you have derived from the exercise.
- Assignment 2. Self-assessment report. At the end of the programme each candidate will write a self-assessment report. This will show, with reference to relevant literature, how you have achieved the four domains and values of the Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work, and how your practice has been informed by other social work standards such as the PCF, KSS and SWEPS.
- Practice Portfolio assessment. Candidates will compile a brief portfolio containing evidence of your practical ability as a Practice Educator, including feedback from the learner, written feedback from the mentor’s direct observations of your practice and their final summative report.
Programme delivery
The programme is delivered via a blend of face-to-face whole group teaching, online workshops, mentor support and independent study. Whole group teaching sessions will take place at UEA. Candidates will be required to set aside time to access online learning resources such as pre-recorded presentations, reading and other designated activities before attending the face-to-face and online teaching sessions
Provisional teaching programme (Dates and venues to be confirmed)
- 3rd September 2024
Introductory day: Whole group – in person teaching - 9.30 -16.30 - 1st and 2nd October.
Foundational skills for Practice Educators: adult learning and supervision:
1st October - Independent online learning tasks (whole day)
2nd October – In-person teaching and activity session 9:30 -16:30 - 30th October
Observations, feedback and managing difficulties:
Whole group – in person teaching – 9.30 -16.30 - 25th and 26th November
Coaching skills for Practice Educators, motivation theory and the midway review:
25th November - Independent online learning tasks (whole day)
26th November - Whole group – in person teaching- 9.30 -16.30 - 7th January 2025
Building resilience:
Independent online preparation 9.00-1100
Whole group meeting – online 11.30 -13.00 - 18th and 19th February 2025
Anti-Oppressive Practice, teaching theory and summative report writing:
18th Feb - Independent online learning tasks (whole day)
19th Feb - Whole group – in person teaching – 9.30 -16.30
In addition to the above teaching sessions there will be three online workshops, in small groups, to support with assignment preparation and key placement tasks. Each workshop will be run twice within the same week, candidates will attend one of each workshop.
- 13th or 15th November; Making supervision count
- 15th or 17th January; Power, influence and difficult conversations
- 26th or 28th March; Preparing for the self-assessment task
A third iteration of each of the above workshops may be arranged later in the year for candidates working with learners whose placement begins later in the academic year.
Programme Fee (60 academic credits)
£1,580 for groups of 20 or more participants
Please note that mentoring fees must be met by the employer (or by the candidate) and are not included in the programme fees.
How to apply
For employment-based applications, please contact your staff development officer. For independent applicants, please contact the Learning and Teaching Service, Postgraduate Learning and Teaching Hub.
Applications for 2024-25 open mid-June 2024 and should be submitted by September 2024 (date TBC).
NB: The information on this flyer is provisional and may change where necessary.