Unsung heroes

Authors

  • Ian Mathews
  • Diane Simpson
  • Adrian Croft
  • Mary Lee
  • Gillian McKinna

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/jpts.v9i2.396

Keywords:

social work students, placements, university tutors, wider team, relationships

Abstract

Since the introduction of the three year degree programme in 2003, social work education has undergone a number of significant changes. The time students spend on placement has been increased to two hundred days, and the range of placement opportunities and the way in which these placements have been configured has significantly diversified. A consistent feature over the years, however, has been the presence of a Practice Educator (PE) who has guided, assessed and taught the student whilst on placement. Unsurprisingly, the role of the PE and the pivotal relationship they have with the student has been explored in the past and features in social work literature.

This paper, however, concentrates on a range of other relationships which are of significance in providing support to students on placement. In particular it draws on research to discuss the role of the university contact tutor, the place of the wider team in which the student is sited, and the support offered by family, friends and others.

Placements and the work undertaken by PE’s will continue to be integral to the delivery of social work education. It is, however, essential to recognise and value the often over looked role of others in providing support to students on placement.

References

Bradley, G., (2008) The induction of newly appointed social workers; Some implications for social work educators. <i>Social Work Education</i> 27, 4, 349-365\nBuck, J., (2007) Social work placements: A student perspective, <i>Journal of Practice Teaching & Learning</i>, 7, 1, 6-12\nBurgess, R., and Phillips, R., (2000) On-site supervisors: the unsung partners in the training team? <i>Journal of Practice Teaching in Health & social work</i>, 2, 3, 28-46\nDanbury, H., (1994) <i>Teaching Practical Social Work</i>. (3<sup>rd</sup> ed.) Aldershot: Arena\nDegenhardt, D., (2003) Teacher or supporter? The social work tutor’s role in students’ professional development, <i>Journal of Practice Teaching</i> 4, 3, 54-67\nDevelin, D., and Mathews, I., (2008) What motivates social workers to become practice teachers? <i>The Journal of Practice Teaching and learning</i>, 8, 1, 18-30\nDoel, M., Deacon, L., and Sawdon, C., (2007) Curtain down on Act One: Practice learning in the first year of the new social work award. <i>Social Work Education</i>, 26, 3, 217-232\nDoel, M., and Shardlow, S., (1996) <i>The New Social Work Practice</i>. Aldershot: Arena\nGeneral Social Care Council (2008), <i>Social Work at Its Best: A statement of social work roles and tasks for the 21<sup>st</sup> century</i> London: GSCC\nLefevre, M.,(2005) Facilitating practice learning and assessment: The influence of relationship. <i>Social work Education</i>, 24, 5, 565-583\nPapadaki, V., and Nygren, L., (2006) I’ll carry this experience with me throughout my studies and future career. Practice tutorials and students’ views on social work in Iraklio, Greece. <i>Social Work Education</i>, 25, 7, 710-722\nParker, J., (2004) <i>Effective Practice Learning in Social Work</i>. Exeter: Learning Matters\nRosenblatt, A., and Mayer, J (1975) Objectionable supervisory styles: Students’ views’. <i>Social Work</i>, 20, 3, 184-189\nShardlow, S and Doel, M., (2002) <i>Learning to Practise Social Work: International approaches</i>. London: Jessica Kingsley\nSharp, M., (2000) The assessment of incompetence: working with failing DipSW students. <i>The Journal of Practice Teaching in health & social work</i>, 2, 3, 5-18\nSharp, M., and Danbury, H., (1999) <i>The Management of Failing DipSW Students</i>. Aldershot: Ashgate\nUrbanowski, M., and Dwyer, W., (1988) Learning through field instruction: a guide for teachers and students. New York: Family Service America\nWilliams, C., (2008) Practice placements: Is the crisis over?, <i>Community Care</i>, 18 September\n

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Published

2012-12-20

How to Cite

Mathews, I., Simpson, D., Croft, A., Lee, M., & McKinna, G. (2012). Unsung heroes. The Journal of Practice Teaching and Learning, 9(2), 57-71. https://doi.org/10.1921/jpts.v9i2.396

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Articles