Social Work Practice Education, Assessment and Supervision

This 20-credit module is for experienced Social Workers who want to complete the final stage of their training to become Practice Educators. 

During this module practitioners (Trainee Practice Educators) will develop the knowledge, skills and values that will qualify them to plan, enable and assess the learning of final year social work students on qualifying degree programmes, Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP) students and Newly Qualified Social Workers completing their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE). 

Successful completion of this module therefore results in practitioners achieving qualified Practice Educator status, meaning they will be able to independently enable and assess the learning of social work students undertaking their last placement (as part of their qualifying course).  

During the module learners will participate in taught sessions, reflective small group work, larger group discussions and peer review each other’s practice.

 

Content and delivery

The module runs over a number of days throughout the academic year, allowing Trainee Practice Educators to build up their skills and knowledge over the course of their allocated student’s learning journey. 

Within taught sessions reflective practice is encouraged, something which is supported by dedicated reflective group check-ins that punctuate the more structured taught sessions.  Within these spaces there are opportunities for learners to share experiences and critically discuss their work, drawing on the perspectives of both their peers and session facilitators. 

In keeping with the principles of communities of practice, everyone has a role to play in supporting the development of the group.  For those supporting newly qualified Social Workers completing their ASYE programmes, these same principles apply.

Taught input covers a range of topics, including a critical look at what the role entails, emotion, supervision, assessment, feedback, reflection and practice skills related to enabling the learning and development of others.

The Practice Educator Professional Standards inform much of the teaching on the module, especially the values statements which strengthen the commitment to anti-oppressive practice in social work education: .

During the course, learners will be observed by an experienced Practice Educator who will provide feedback on their practice.  Feeback will also be provided by peers, particularly when learners share a short recording of supervision between themselves and their allocated students (or ASYE workers).

 

Assessment

There are two assessments tasks for this module:

 Learners will produce a 3,000 word essay, written as a reflective analysis of their practice.  Within this, learners will provide a critical, analytic and reflective account of their own practice in enabling the learning and development of their student (or ASYE worker).  This assignment is academically assessed and awarded a percentage mark.

They will also produce a portfolio of practice evidence, including a record of their direct observation, work completed with the student (or ASYE worker) and feedback from others.  This is assessed as pass/fail.

Both assessment tasks must be passed to complete the module and attain academic credit.

How to apply

For local authority and NHS applicants and those employed by private, voluntary or independent organisations: please contact your training department and complete an application form.

For independent applicants: please contact moduleadmissions@brighton.ac.uk to request an application form.