Practice Educator Stage Two (Social Work)

Introduction

The Practice Educator qualification is offered as a non-credit bearing Short Course; this is a follow on Short Course for Stage 2. Find information about Stage 1. The course can be undertaken on a stand-alone basis by experienced qualified practitioners facilitating the learning of social work students / learners.

It is delivered at level HE7 (MA) and carries 20 academic credits if taken as a credit bearing course. This is optional and there is an additional cost when taking the course for academic credit. The course is designed to meet the requirements of the BASW Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS) (2019).

Please note: the PE2 23-24 timetable has been updated and some dates have changed. Please check the current timetable in the Downloads section of this page.

Prerequisite: Practice Educator Stage 1

Indicative Course Content

Participants will be supported to develop and consolidate their skills in supervising, teaching, and assessing learners in practice, building on experiences of the Stage 1 PE course. They will consider models of facilitating learning and will be encouraged to develop awareness of their own personal learning, teaching and assessment styles. Various adult learning theories, as well as supervision and assessment methods will be critically examined in relation to individual learning needs. Organisational, legal, ethical, cultural, personal and professional factors which impact on the learning environment will be identified and analysed, including the tole of leadership in practice education. Principles and methods for assessment of learning in the workplace will be considered from the perspective of the participant, learner, practice assessor and service user where appropriate. The course will use candidate practice experience provide opportunities for candidates to develop their skills and confidence in manging complex placement decisions and making fair and transparent assessment decisions as part of a collaborative learning team. The course will also assist candidates in developing resources for their continuing development as a practice educator and becoming leaders in organisational learning.

The content of the course is informed by and embeds the PEPS 2020 as well as KSS for Practice Supervisors in Children and Families and Adults services.

About the course

A mix of lectures, seminars and small group work using a problem-centred approach (either on line or face to face, subject to CV19 restrictions) will be used to enable students to synthesise and analyse key concepts and ideas related to learning and assessment in the workplace. These may be supplemented by skills rehearsal. Further learning opportunities will arise from Blackboard, guided experiences in the workplace, self-directed study and reflective practice.

Taught sessions will support and supplement experiential learning in the workplace.

Note: All students will require access to an experienced Stage 2 practice assessor who will support and guide their experiential activities and verify achievement of the practice competences.

Course aims

This course follows on from the Stage 1 Practice Educator (PE) course. The aim of this course is to prepare practitioners to supervise, teach and assess learning in the workplace. Qualified social workers are required to facilitate the learning of a social work student or learner being assessed against the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF), typically for a placement of at least 50 days. On successful completion of the requirements for Stage 2 Domains A-D, the candidate will achieve Stage 2 of the Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work (BASW 2020). This course embeds the Post Qualifying Standards for Adults and Children’s Social Work Practice Supervisors and aligns to the proposed British Association of Social Workers (BASW) refreshed Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS 2020).

Course outcomes

By the end of this course students should be able to:

1) Take Responsibility for ensuring that all assessment decisions, and the supporting evidence, are documented and recorded according to the required standard. Provide holistic assessment reports which demonstrate clear evidence for decisions.

2) Show expertise and leadership in the ability to make difficult holistic assessment decisions around areas of development which may include marginal or failing practice. Ensure that disagreements about assessment judgements and complaints made about the assessment process are managed in accordance with agreed procedures.

3) Show excellent ability to critically reflect upon and evaluate their own professional development and apply learning to subsequent practice education experience using a range of methods.

4) Qualified practice educators should demonstrate leadership in the development of the agency as a learning organisation

5) Demonstrate an ability to deepen and extend their ability and expertise as a practice educator. This may also include the transfer of practice educator skills, knowledge and values to new roles in mentoring, supervision, teaching and/or assessment and show leadership in workplace learning

6) Show ability to critique and apply models and theories of supervision, and knowledge and research on assessment, teaching and learning, critical reflection and other relevant knowledge. Contribute to the extension of that knowledge through their expertise and research to promote the profile of the practice educator as playing a key role in the development of excellent early career practitioners.

There are also specific learning outcomes identified by Practice Educator Professional Standards (BASW, 2020) Domains A-D:

https://www.basw.co.uk/resources/basw-england-practice-educator-professional-standards-social-work-peps-2020

Indicative Assessment

1. Portfolio: For Stage 2 Domains A-D: A portfolio of evidence including a learning agreement between the candidate and their practice assessor / mentor, teaching plan(s), an Assessment of Practice Portfolio with evidence for the Stage 2 requirements of Domains A-D (including references), at least one direct observation of practice, evidence of supervision and evidence of receiving and responding to student feedback. (4000 words equivalent - 100%).

To achieve Stage 2 Practice Educator status, all elements of the portfolio must be successfully completed and passed, and signed off by a Stage 2 PE where applicable.

Further information

For further information, please contact Tim Odell: timothy.odell@canterbury.ac.uk