module specification

This module has been designed to conform to the professional requirements and competencies for Stage 1 & 2 (combined) of the Practice Educator Professional standards for social work. As prescribed by The College of Social Work (TCSW) Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work (PEPS), (TCSW, 2012). 

The combined module will enable Practice Educators to supervise, teach and assess students up to and including the last placement. They will also be expected to mentor an AYSE candidate. In effect, these practice educators will have the authority and capability to recommend, on the basis of appropriate evidence, that the social work students are fit to practise at the point of qualification.

The emphasis of this module will be to develop further the knowledge and skills of individual practice educators (PE), acquired from their practice experience of being qualified social workers in the field for at least 2 years.  The PE will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and understanding of arrange of different techniques used in supervising, teaching, and assessing a social work student’ s practice; within the context of anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice.

The combined module, will introduce the PE’s to research processes, research knowledge and skills relevant to professional and academic development. These research principles will provide a foundation for understanding approaches to social research and evidence based practice and research design. There will be ongoing critical analysis of up-to-date policy development and practices in order to encourage and build on reflective practice learning and teaching in the field.

Theoretical frameworks used and ethical reasoning used that inform decision making in professional practice will be examined in the context of assessing a social work student’s fitness for practice.   A combination of lectures, the use of weblearn, seminars, workshops  skills days and group presentations workshops as well as work and practice based learning activities will be used to enhance teaching, assessing and supervisory skills in the assessment of social work students practice. The modules ethos is guided by anti-oppressive practice and the principles of adult learning.  In addition each trainee practice educator will be allocated a personal tutor at the beginning of the module. We are committed to supporting employers to developing solutions to support their work force development needs.

Combined module
The indicative syllabus includes:

• Anti Oppressive Practice, values and ethics and social justice  LO1-5
• Adult learning theories and  models  Combined module   Combined module   LO1-5
The indicative syllabus includes:

• Anti Oppressive Practice, values and ethics and social justice  LO1-5
• Adult learning theories and  models  LO1-5
• Supervisory models, roles and skills, which recognise the power dynamics between practice educator and learner LO1-5
• Direct observation of practice  LO1-5
• Refine assessment skills in order to make judgements about learner’s academic and practice progress and supply evidence of achieving competencies  LO1-5
• Using more complex assessment methods including recording, reports, observations, feedback from people who use services and carers, professionals and other colleagues  LO1-5
• Critical reflection  LO1-5
• HEI quality assurance systems  LO1-5
• Contemporary research, theory, policy, legislation and practice including agency policy, procedures and practice  LO1-5
• Conflict resolution  LO1-5

The teaching and learning strategy for this module is based on an integrated programme of lectures, with supporting material and exercises, together with direct observation of practice.  Lectures will be used to provide a conceptual framework. 

There will also be inter-active/discussion forums, involving skills days, group activities and workshops. Assignments will enable practice educators to reinforce and expand their knowledge as well as to obtain competence in adult learning principles and ethical argument and research skills.  Tutorials will address specific issues, and allow a venue for debate and presentations.  

Web-based learning is available to support, reinforce and test practice educators’ understanding with access to additional learning resources. A combination of lectures, the use of weblearn, seminars and workshops  will be used. The programme ethos is guided by anti-oppressive practice and the principles of adult learning.  In addition each student will be allocated a personal tutor at the beginning of the Programme.

On successful completion of this combined module, the Practice Educator will be expected to demonstrate and evidence the attainment of 4 Domains A-D, as prescribed by The College of Social Work (TCSW) Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work (PEPS), (TCSW, 2012) and be able to:

1. Organize opportunities for the demonstration of assessed competence in Practice and meet Domain A competencies 1-8
2. Enable learning and professional development in practice and meet Domain B competencies 1-9) including the application of an appropriate range of supervisory models, roles and skills, which recognise the power dynamics between practice educator and learner
3. Manage the assessment of the student in practice and meet Domain C competencies 1-14 including using a range of assessment methods and marking
4. Demonstrate effective continuing performance as a practice educator and meet Domain D Competencies 1-7
5. Apply values required for Practice Educators and assure the quality of learning and teaching

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