Group learning on social work placements

Abstract

In the UK, as in most other countries, social work student learning is a combination of a college based education and placement practice (practicum). There is nothing unusual in practice teachers working with social work students in groups. What is rather surprising is that, in spite of the approach having been accepted for many years, it has attracted relatively little interest as a research topic. However, the benefits of groups for learning are well established and discussion on groupwork models of student learning in practice is to be found in the literature of other helping professions, notably counselling, psychotherapy, nursing and occupational therapy. It is also well established in the literature on staff supervision. This article reviews some of the literature on group learning and supervision and presents the findings of a research project which examined the experience of students and practice teachers engaged in group supervision on placement. While a small number of students had some reservations about their experience, feedback from students and practice teachers was very positive overall. The findings of the study are used to suggest guidance for good practice in this area.