Practice Learning

A key task of Skills for Care London is to assist with generating first-class practice learning opportunities for students undertaking the new social work degree.

The provision of work-based learning is recognised as a difficult challenge for everyone involved in social care, and Skills for Care work closely with HEIs and employers to ensure there is sufficient quantity, quality and diversity of placement opportunities available to social work students.

Skills for Care has aimed to develop and promote a fresh approach that encourages more organisations to become actively involved in providing high-quality practice opportunities.

Please visit www.skillsforcare.org.uk/socialwork for further information regarding practice learning, send your enquiries to londonsocialwork@skillsforcare.org.uk , or call (020) 7217 3086/ 3083. 

Guide to developing and supporting statutory placements

Skills for Care London are currently revising the guide to developing and supporting statutory placements for social work students. This guide will be aimed at practice learning coordinators, managers and those involved in practice education. A copy of the guide will be available on this website in due course, and you can also request a USB copy in the near future. To register your name for a USB copy of this guide, please e-mail londonsocialwork@skillsforcare.org.uk.


Research and Mapping of Statutory Practice Learning Opportunities and needs in London

Last year, Skills for Care London and the Children's Workforce Development Council commissioned the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust to undertake a research and mapping exercise into Statutory Practice Learning Opportunities and needs in London. The full report and the Executive Summary can be downloaded below:

• Research and Mapping of Statutory Practice Learning Opportunities and needs in London - Final Report
• Research and Mapping of Statutory Practice Learning Opportunities and needs in London - Appendices
• Research and Mapping of Statutory Practice Learning Opportunities and needs in London - Executive Summary

 

Quality Assurance of Practice Learning (QAPL)

In September 2007, Skills for Care in partnership with GSCC began a pilot process for the 'Quality Framework for Practice Learning' (QAPL).

The quality assurance benchmark statement and guidance is now available as a publication and can be downloaded here.

In London, research was undertaken in order to raise awareness of the QAPL benchmarks and to encourage HEIs to pilot its use. A report was produced on the findings of the research.

This report gives useful pointers about what the current position is and what needs to happen to improve the quality of placement provision. Not just through using QAPL but also through developing better relationships between HEIs and local authorities (LAs) at more strategic levels. QAPL report

Following the pilot of the QAPL toolkit that took place in the North West England region, in consultation with HEIs and employers in the region, protocols to support the audit and evaluation of Practice Learning Opportunities for the Social Work Degree were developed.

1. Protocols for the audit and evaluation of Practice Learning Opportunities

2. Protocols for the audit and evaluation of Practice Learning Opportunities

 

Download:

• Practice Learning Handbook
  The Practice Learning Handbook is a guide to the placement dates for the Social Work degree and masters courses inthe greater London region. It gives information on dates and number of days at each level, supervisor / assessor requirements, practice assessor / enabling others training and HEI practice learning co-ordinator contact details.
• Providing Practice Learning Opportunities for Social Work Students - a Guide for Schools
• A Guide to Providing Practice Learning Opportunities for Social Work Students - A Guide for Voluntary, Private & Independent Sector Organisations
• Practice Learning in the Voluntary Sector: A Guide for Voluntary Sector Practice Assessors
• Research and Mapping of Statutory Practice Learning Opportunities and needs in London - Final Report

 

To view the latest PQ/PL Bulletins, pleaes click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.