Practice Learning

Practice learning in social work entails students immersing themselves in real-world settings, applying theoretical knowledge, and honing practical skills under the guidance of experienced practitioners through supervised placements within social care organisations. Students are required to spend a minimum of 200 days in practice learning, with at least 160 days dedicated to assessed practice learning within service delivery contexts. This direct engagement with service users enables students to integrate theory with practice, develop professional competencies, and understand social work principles in action. It serves as a vital component of social work education, bridging the gap between academic study and professional practice while instilling values, ethics, and the ability to assess and intervene effectively in diverse social contexts, a requirement for qualification as social workers.

Want to become a placement provider?

If you are a third sector organisation and wish to become a placement provider, learn more by reading the guide below. Learn about the steps involved in becoming a placement provider. Understand our expectations for placement providers, which include providing a supportive learning environment and opportunities for student growth. Discover the advantages of hosting a student, such as fresh perspectives and additional support, as well as potential recruitment opportunities. We'll also outline the health and safety requirements for hosting students, ensuring a secure environment for all parties involved. Embark on your journey to becoming a valued placement provider and contribute to the development of future social work professionals.

Step 1: Express Interest to Learning Network West (LNW) Staff

Contact Learning Network West staff to express interest in becoming a placement provider for social work students.

Step 2: Arrange an Introductory Meeting

Coordinate with LNW staff to arrange a first introductory meeting, typically conducted online.

Step 3: Introductory Meeting (usually online)

Utilise the introductory meeting to:
- Allow LNW staff to understand the work and mission of your agency/organisation.
- Learn more about the function of Learning Network West and what it means to be a partner.
- Discuss your agency's capacity for hosting social work students
- Learn more about placement calendar
- Identify staff members who would be suitable for the role of link workers to support students during their placements.
After the meeting, complete the service profile form (an online link) if provided by LNW staff.

Step 4: On-Site Visit (usually in person)

Prepare for the on-site visit by completing the agency profile form provided by LNW staff.
During the visit:
- LNW staff will inquire about your agency's staff, support mechanisms, and potential learning opportunities for social work students.
- Your responses from the agency's profile form will serve as a discussion guide during the visit.

Step 5: Registering as a Placement Provider

If the agency successfully completes all the steps and is deemed appropriate for social work placements:
- The agency will receive a confirmation email from Learning Network staff.
- Information regarding the matching process and further communication will be provided.

This structured procedure ensures that third sector agencies can effectively engage with Learning Network West to become placement providers for social work students, while also maintaining quality assurance standards throughout the process.

Learning Network West is committed to placing students in practice learning opportunities that meet the requirements of the Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE). We maintain a commitment to key stakeholders, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) to uphold the highest quality in students' practice learning experiences.

Practice Learning Team Structure

For the success of student placements, it is essential to clearly define roles within the Practice Learning Team:

Student: Prior to the learning experience, the student prepares by studying relevant materials, attending meetings, and reflecting on their experiences. They prioritise casework and academic requirements, demonstrate professionalism, and communicate their learning needs.
Practice Learning Tutor: Acts as a bridge between the academic environment and practice learning. They offer support, coordinate certain meetings and address any difficulties experienced by the student.
Link Worker: Provides day-to-day support to the student, manages their workload, and ensures adherence to agency policies. They attend supervision sessions, conduct formal observations, and provide feedback on the student's practice.
Practice Educator: Oversees the practice learning experience, collaborates with the Link Worker, conducts formal observations, provides feedback, and assesses the student's learning progress and performance.

Practical Support

Placement providers must ensure appropriate support for students enrolled in the placement. This includes providing access to a dedicated workspace equipped with a desk, telephone, and computer. Facilities for one-to-one supervision sessions with the Practice Educator throughout the student's learning experience should also be provided.

Professional Competence and Responsibilities

Throughout the placement, students are expected to demonstrate professional competence against specified key roles outlined in the Standards in Social Work Education (SISWE) framework. This includes direct engagement with service users and opportunities in assessment, planning, and intervention approaches.

Placement Duration and Documentation

Placement durations may vary, typically ranging from 80 to 100 days depending on the university programme. At the outset of the placement, a learning agreement/contract should be drawn up. Some universities may also require completion of a health and safety checklist before the student begins the placement.

Data Protection Memorandum of Understanding

All partners involved in the placement process must adhere to the Data Protection Act 1998. This ensures that personal and sensitive personal data of students are processed in an appropriate and secure manner. Failure to comply with data protection regulations can result in serious consequences, including reputational damage and monetary penalties. Placement providers are expected to uphold best practices and implement necessary measures to safeguard the security of student data throughout the placement process.

Taking on social work students within your organisation is a valuable opportunity to contribute to the social services workforce and foster a learning culture. By providing students with valuable knowledge and experience, your organisation strengthens social work skills while expanding the knowledge of existing staff.

Benefits of engaging with social work placements include:

Contributing to the Social Services Workforce: Supporting the development of competent, confident, and valued social services professionals capable of delivering improved outcomes for people and communities.

Developing a Learning Culture: Creating an environment where continual learning and development are prioritised, ensuring that staff are equipped with the necessary knowledge and experience to perform their roles effectively.

Potential Source of New Employees: Placements offer the opportunity to identify and recruit student social workers who have proven to be effective and fit well within the organisation's team.

Financial Remuneration: Placement providers receive financial remuneration for hosting social work students. The terms and conditions of this remuneration, agreed upon by the Management Board of Learning Network West, include:
- Fee to Voluntary Organisation with own Practice Educator: £28/day.
- Fee to Voluntary Organisation Using Independent Practice Educator (registered with LNW): £10/day.

Ensuring the health and safety of social work students in practice learning environments is paramount for all parties involved. Learning Network West, along with partner universities and voluntary agencies, is dedicated to maintaining robust health and safety standards to protect students during their placements.

Health and Safety Requirements

Learning Network West requires that all practice learning opportunities adhere to stringent health and safety regulations. Each placement undergoes a thorough evaluation, and any issues that arise during the practice learning process must be reported immediately to allow for prompt resolution. This proactive approach helps ensure a secure and supportive environment for students.

Collective Responsibility

Creating a safe practice learning environment is a collective responsibility. All parties involved—including placement providers, universities, and voluntary agencies—must collaborate to ensure that students can practise safely. This includes adhering to all relevant health and safety legislation and guidelines.

Legal Responsibilities

Within the UK, the primary responsibility for managing the health and safety of students on placement lies with the placement provider, in accordance with Section 2.1 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. During their placement, students are to be treated as equivalent to the provider's own employees regarding health and safety matters.

Students also have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:

Section 7: Students must follow health and safety instructions and act sensibly to protect their own health and safety and that of others.
Section 8: Students must not interfere with or misuse anything provided for health, safety, or welfare.

The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) provides comprehensive health and safety guidance for placing higher education students, ensuring compliance with legal and best practice standards.

Ongoing Health and Safety Compliance

Health and safety legislation and guidelines are continuously evolving. It is crucial for all parties involved in student placements to stay informed about the latest updates and ensure that specific information, training, and agreements are in place, especially in specialist areas of work.

Responsibilities of Voluntary Agencies

Voluntary agencies must ensure that students participating in placement programmes receive a proper induction and are familiar with the health and safety policies and procedures of the working environment. Agencies must clearly communicate any specific training requirements to students before the practice learning experience begins. Additionally, health and safety checks required by the off-site Practice Educator or University must be completed by the student.

By maintaining high health and safety standards and fostering a culture of collective responsibility, we can provide social work students with a safe and enriching practice learning experience.

Complaints

Agencies must ensure that students are aware of the Agency Complaints Procedures before the placement begins. If a student raises a complaint regarding the placement, agency, or university, they should immediately inform the Practice Educator. If the issue remains unresolved between the student and the Practice Educator, a four-way meeting involving the Practice Learning team should be arranged to discuss and develop an action plan if necessary. Each university provides clear guidelines regarding complaints in the university handbook, which agencies should ensure students review.

PVG Checks

Agencies must verify that all students on placement are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and have undergone a PVG (Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme) check. Students must maintain membership in the PVG scheme throughout their placement. Agencies may accept a student's existing PVG check from a previous placement if it falls within an acceptable timeframe. Prior to the placement start, agencies will receive a University and Student declaration form confirming the student's PVG scheme membership. For further details, contact Learning Network West.

Travel and Expenses

Agencies should clarify travel and expense arrangements with students during the pre-placement meeting. The specific arrangements may vary depending on the student’s university and available bursaries. Students planning to use their car for travel must have business insurance, and this should be documented in the learning contract. Agencies should ensure that the process for handling expenses related to the placement is clearly understood by the student.

Child Care and Protection

Agencies working with children on the child protection register must ensure that students do not act as the primary worker in child protection investigations or make significant decisions regarding child protection. These responsibilities should be handled by a qualified worker who has completed at least a year in post and undergone specific training.

Students must have opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of supporting the wellbeing, safety, and protection of vulnerable children. If students wish to work with children on the child protection register, the specific duties and expectations should be clearly negotiated and defined from the outset. The named social worker should oversee the student's work, with all responsibilities and accountabilities clarified and agreed upon with the Practice Educator and Tutor at the beginning of the placement.

Termination of Placement

Agencies should be prepared to handle the termination of placements, which may occur for various reasons, including the student's realisation that the course is unsuitable or due to personal circumstances. Termination may also occur due to breaches of the SSSC Code of Conduct for Social Workers or other serious issues, such as:

Behaviour that endangers the student or others.
Failure of duty of care by the student or gross negligence in performing assigned duties.
Inability of the student to function professionally without an inappropriate degree of supervision from the Practice Educator.
Irresponsible behaviour concerning attendance or conduct.

If a student decides to cease their placement or withdraw from the academic course, agencies must ensure that the situation is handled formally, with or without the student's presence, to meet all procedural requirements.

By adhering to these standard procedures, agencies can help provide a safe, supportive, and professional environment for social work students during their placements.