The programme aims to equip learners with the skills and knowledge to become practice teachers. It has two components: a taught course and compiling the portfolio necessary to gain the PDA.
The taught course comprises 8 days, which learners must attend and concentrates of the practical skills and underpinning theory and knowledge associated with practice teaching. It covers the following topics:
- The social work degree and the role of the Practice Teacher
- Supporting Adult Learning
- Reflection and critical analysis
- Learning cultures
- Design of learning opportunities
- Knowledge, theory, research and evidence-based practice
- Planning and managing a student placement
- The SiSWE and matching learning objectives and learning opportunities
- Working with diversity and students with disabilities
- Managing change
- Supervision
- Giving feedback
- Conducting direct observations
- Assessment of students
- Evaluation
- Leadership for Learning
- Continuous Professional Development
The Professional Development Award itself is an SQA award and consists of 7 units (total of 64 SQA credit points) at SQCF Level10 (Honours Degree Level equivalent). The taught programme runs in parallel with the Award and covers relevant knowledge.
You will have a Practice Assessor whose role is to support you to achieve the award and to assess your work. The award is achieved by developing a portfolio of evidence which comprises a mix of critically reflective, analytical and evaluative essays, observations, professional discussions, presentations and documents generated in your work with the student. Learners will be expected to complete a number of assessable tasks before working with a social work a student, other assessable tasks will be completed during and after supporting a student/ learner.
The Units of the Award are:
- Support Learning in a Social Services Practice Context
- Evidence Based Practice in Social Services
- Create an Environment for Learning
- Establish Effective Working Relationships
- Supervise and Faciltate Learning
- Assessment of Learners
- Leadership for Learning
The PDA in Practice Learning is timetabled to take approximately 12 months to complete; learners typically have a maximum of 18 months to complete the award. Learners are entitled to 6 study days which should be negotiated locally and expect to undertake additional study in their own time. The PDA involves a substantial commitment and potential learners should consider whether they will be able to give the time necessary.
For organisations out with the network funding partnership, the course fee is £650, plus £104 for the SQA registration fee - payable to Learning Network West who will complete SQA registration on behalf of Practice Educators in training.