Practice Education for Social Work – Stage 1 and Stage 2

Practice Education Stage 1

This module will prepare experienced, registered social workers for a role as a practice educator. It will enable students on the programme to demonstrate that they are working to relevant professional educational standards within explicit ethical codes. The module will enable professionals to develop their knowledge and skills in relation to the teaching and assessment of learners in social work professional practice. This will include a critical evaluation of key theoretical concepts underpinning learning in practice. A broad range of teaching strategies will be explored to allow professionals to enhance learning and practice in the practice environment. Exploration of the impact of relationships on decision-making and assessment will be a key consideration throughout the module. Successful completion of this module is equivalent to Stage 1 of the PEPS, enabling you to independently supervise, teach, and assess a pre-qualifying student on their first social work placement.

Practice Education Stage 2

This module will build on the learning from Practice Education Stage 1 by focusing on extending your knowledge of the Practice Educator role. Reflection on practice experience will be a key part of the module and will enable students to identify the most appropriate focus for their future development when acting in the role. This will include critical reflection on the context of practice education and the impact it has when undertaking the role. A range of teaching strategies will be used to allow professionals to enhance learning and practice in the practice environment and to develop their skills in using research to inform practice. Successful completion of this module is equivalent to Stage 2 of the PEPS, enabling you to independently supervise, teach, and assess pre-qualifying students at both first and final placement levels.

The structure of the course reflects the requirements of the PEPS and is timed to provide support around the planned student placement blocks. The teaching dates are spread over a four-month period (one per month), which allows for the consolidation of knowledge and independent work. Alongside your time at university, you are expected to undertake self-directed learning and to have a student on placement who you are directly responsible for assessing.

Teaching methods include lectures, group discussions/seminars, experiential exercises, skills development, student research, and presentation and analysis of video and audio material. Assessment methods include a Portfolio of Evidence from practice and a 2000-word critical essay. Between teaching sessions, you will be working with your students and applying your learning to the process of placement.

You'll be offered a group tutorial before assignment submission. Tutorials address assessment issues, learning needs and strategies, the development of skills in managing the social work student's placement, further reading and preparation of the portfolio.

You'll also be expected to attend briefing sessions held at the University regarding student placement.