Early placement breakdown in social work practice placements

Abstract

Eighteen social work placement breakdowns have been examined since the advent of the ‘new’ degree in social work at Kingston University. These constituted ‘early’ breakdown as opposed to students completing but failing their full 100 day placement. The study spanned the period from 2004 to 2007. The objectives of the study were to:

• Increase understanding to help to retrieve failing placements

• Improve management and support to all those involved

• Develop ‘Good Practice Guidelines’ and learning materials

• Provide a better social work service to those service users and carers in receipt of a service from social work students at Kingston University

The study identified a complex mix of interrelated factors, resulting in a plethora of strong emotions. A close correlation was noted between the matching of a student experiencing poor health and personal problems with a poor supervisory experience or a team with too high expectations of the student.