You will have a 70-day practice learning opportunity in a social work or social care setting. The practice learning opportunity will be administrated and approved by your employer. This period of learning will be assessed and supported by a Practice Educator who will support you as you demonstrate knowledge, critical understanding and application of social work practice, focused on the Professional Capabilities Framework:

(1) Professionalism
(2) Values & Ethics
(3) Diversity
(4) Rights, Justice & Economic Wellbeing
(5) Knowledge
(6) Critical Reflection & Analysis
(7) Intervention & Skills
(8) Contexts & Organisations
(9) Professional Leadership

During the placement you will attend three learning consolidation days (18 hours) in University where current themes and issues will be discussed, and links formed between theories, law and practice as part of formative assessment.

You are required to complete 70 full days in practice. Any days lost during placement will need to be made up at the end of the placement.

This module provides a unique opportunity to link theory with practice in an adults or children’s social work setting through practice-based learning.

Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities
To include:
18 hours teaching in university in the form of three professional development days
90 minutes per week supervision with a practice supervisor during placement hours.

Independent Study (42 hours)
Independent study to prepare for your written tasks within the portfolio and your written analysis of practice.

Practice-based learning in a Placement Setting (490 hours)

• Fenge, L. (2014) The Social Work Portfolio: A Student’s Guide to Evidencing Your Practice. Maidenhead: Oxford University Press
• Lomax, R. et al (2010) Surviving your Social Work Placement. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan
• Matthews, I. (2014) Your Social Work Practice Placement: From Start to Finish. London: Sage
• https://www.hcpc-uk.org/globalassets/resources/standards/standards-of-conduct-performance-and-ethics.pdf
• James, E. Morgan, H. & Mitchell, Rob (2019) Innovating adult social work practice—learning from the Named Social Worker for adults with learning disabilities pilots, Social Work Education, 38:4, 503-515, DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2018.1545833

Computer and Library facilities are available to all students enrolled at Staffordshire University, including those on apprenticeship courses.

1. On completion of this module, you will be able to evidence your knowledge necessary to meet the expectations on the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) at the level of ‘End of First Placement’ stage

(PCF 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
(KSB S4; S6; K1; K2; K4; K6; K7; K8; S11;; S12; S13; S14; S16; S17; S18; S20; S21; S22; S23; S24; S26; K19; S29; S30; S31; S32; K21; S34; S38; S39; S42; S46; S47; S48; B1; B2; B3; B4; B5)
2. On completion of this module, you will be able to apply theories to social work/social care situations and practice within the Professional Capabilities Framework at the level of ‘End of First Placement’

(PCF 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,)
(KSB S5; K3; K5)
3. On completion of this module, you will be able to reflect on the purpose of supervision and use this knowledge to enhance accountability, professional reflection and development

(PCF 1, 6, 7, 8, 9)
(KSB S1; S2; S3; K16)
4. On completion of this module, you will be able to critically analyse your own practice, identifying areas of strength through application of social work skills and areas for potential development in future practice forums

(PCF 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
(KSB S7; S8; S9; S10; S28; S44)

Formative Assessment:
You will have opportunity during your 70-day placement experience, and three professional development days (18 hours teaching), to complete reflections on feedback from colleagues and service users, and to demonstrate your knowledge of the learning outcomes through academic writing and group discussions. You are expected to gather feedback from service users and professionals to aid your learning and development.

Summative Assessment
Assessment One:
Students will submit a Professional Practice Portfolio of Evidence including confirmation of 70 days practice (To include documentation stipulated below, assessing all learning outcomes, assessed as a pass or fail). The portfolio will include the ratification of the student meeting the standards required of ‘end of first placement’ and must include the following documentation:
1. Written confirmation that you have sought permission from your employer to include anonymised information around practice, and that you have removed identifiable information regarding service users within your portfolio and in preparation for assessment two. This confirmation must include whether you have recognised the ethical issues of reflecting on service-user's issues, and whether an ethical approval process is required.
2. An updated learning plan to record your learning needs before and during your placement, and how you sought to develop learning throughout the placement opportunity against each domain of the Professional Capabilities Framework.
3. Three successful (pass) direct observations of your practice interacting with service users.
4. A mid-point review of your practice, considering your development against the Professional Capabilities Framework
5. A 500-word reflection on feedback from service users and carers
6. A 500-word reflection on an incident in practice that was critical to your learning
7. A completed and successful final report of capability completed by the Practice Educator, that makes a recommendation for grading you practice (distinction/merit/pass/fail)
8. Where relevant, a work-based supervisor report

Assessment Two:
Students will submit an Analysis of Practice Assignment (2000 words, assessing all learning outcomes, weighted at 100% ) to demonstrate personal development and understanding during the placement experience. The assignment will focus on a situation that occurred, and you will analyse it using law, theories, policies, communication skills and values, and consider the importance of supervision on your practice.

Students must pass both elements or above in both assessments to successfully pass the module.