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Information for Student Social WorkersPartnership AgenciesThe Edinburgh and Lothians Voluntary Organisations’ Practice Teaching Partnership is a federation of organisations, which have a commitment to quality, person-centred practice and innovative approaches. There are currently 43 agencies within the partnership and their work ranges across physical disability, learning disability, mental health, domestic violence, alcohol and drug issues, HIV and AIDS, minority ethnic communities, advocacy initiatives, criminal justice and services for young people. As a student Social Worker, you would be hosted by one of these agencies. Practice TeachingSome agencies have accredited Practice Teachers amongst their own staff group, others are able to host student placements with “Long arm” practice teaching input from the PTU. “Long arm” Practice Teaching involves working with students and Link Supervisors in host agencies. This involves preparation work with the Link Supervisor, negotiating appropriate areas of work and managing the placement. Practice Teachers meet with students for formal supervision for a minimum of 1½ hours each week. They have responsibility for direct teaching, support, monitoring of practice and assessment of the student’s progress. Ultimately, making a PASS or FAIL recommendation to the assessment board at the end of the placement, is the responsibility of the practice teacher after receiving feedback from agency staff and service users. Quality AssuranceThe Partnership has a Monitoring and Evaluation sub-board, which examines feedback on every placement and offers guidance where changes are required. The re-Accreditation sub-board reviews the status of practice teachers. Both of these sub-boards are comprised of senior practitioners of Partnership Agencies. Practice LearningStudents on Diploma in Social Work, Masters in Social Work and Social Work Degree courses are currently required to complete two assessed placements as part of their training, one of about 65 days and one of about 85 days. Through these placements or practice learning opportunities, you would work within host agencies contributing to the work of the agency and developing your professional skills. This is where students have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge of Social Work and put it into practice in a closely monitored and supported environment. Student Support GroupUsually agencies will be able to host one student at a time. You would have access to a student group by calling together students from across the group of agencies, which work together with the Unit. MentoringOur policies state that students who are in a “minority position” (for example, students who have a disability or students from minority ethnic communities) should be able to access additional support and consultancy. We have developed a list of mentors who are in a position to be matched to students. Mentors are paid when they provide this service. Further Involvement of PTU staff in Social Work EducationThe Unit Practice Teachers work with Higher Education Institute’s by liaising with tutors in relation to specific placements, participating in selection interviews for Social Work courses, teaching in the classroom and assisting with academic marking of, for example, Practice Studies. How Can I Access a Placement With EVOC PTU?Practice learning opportunities for student Social Workers are currently set up through a central matching process. Higher Education Institutes forward Student profile forms, which have been completed by individual students, indicating their areas of interest as well as practical constraints on placement location etc, to the centre. A number of these will then be forwarded to the PTU, depending on placement availability within agencies. Attempts are made to match students with practice learning opportunities in order to meet their learning needs. DisclosureAgencies expect students to have a full, enhanced disclosure certificate before they can undertake work with service users. There are a number of ways of obtaining this depending on procedures in place within the Higher Education Establishment. Some Useful Links:
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