SOCW09003 2022 Fieldwork Placement 1

Evidence a varied repertoire of practice skills fundamental to social work and relevant to a wide range of clients, modalities, and types of settings.. (Domain 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.16, 1.18, 1.20, 1.21; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.9, 2.12, 2.16; 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.10, 3.12, 3.14; 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5; 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.14, 5.15, 5.17, 5.18, 5.20, 5.22, 5.23, 5.25, 5.26, 5.27).

Undertake assessments of service users and systems using appropriate and relevant assessment tools.(Domain 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.20; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9; 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.10; 4.1, 4.3, 4.4; 5.1, 5.13, 5.17, 5.18, 5.21, 5.23).

Apply, critically evaluate and synthesise policies and research that inform and impact upon best-practice.(Domain 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.17, 1.20, 1.21; 2.9, 2.10; 3.1, 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14; 4.1 4.2; 5.1, 5.2, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.12, 5.15, 5.16, 5.20, 5.24, 5.25).

Display a competent knowledge of methods of social work and purposefully select appropriate methods of intervention evidencing an ability to integrate theory to practice.(Domain 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.15, 1.16, 1.18, 1.20; 2.3, 2.12; 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.10; 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4; 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.5, 5.6, 5.10, 5.12, 5.14, 5.20, 5.23).

Develop appropriate evaluation skills to ensure that the planned intervention has produced the intended outcomes. (Domain 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9,1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.18; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.11, 2.12, 2.14; 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, 3.9, 3.11, 3.12; 4.1, 4.2, 4.4; 5.7, 5.10, 5.20, 5.21, 5.23, 5.24).  

Represent an ability to review the management of workload.(Domain 1.1,1.2, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.18, 1.19, 1.21; 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.10, 2.11; 3.9; 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6; 5.11, 5.14, 5.23, 5.26). 

Demonstrate the ability to engage in interpersonal and professional relationships and to work collaboratively with other professionals within the community.(Domain 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.15, 1.16, 1.18, 1.19, 1.20, 1.21; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 2.15; 3.1, 3.3, 3.7, 3.8; 4.1, 4.4; 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, 5.7, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.19, 5.26).  

Students must successfully complete 500 hours of practice placement in Year 1. Students will be supervised by a Professionally Qualified Social Worker (aka Practice Teacher) for the duration of their placement. Students will be offered the opportunity initially to shadow and co-work with experienced practitioners and undertake supervised and/ or observed work with service users within a quality and supported learning environment, moving towards a more independent approach to practice in the latter stages of the placement, while closely supervised by the Practice Teacher. Students will avail of ongoing informal supervision during the course of practice (daily casework), with dedicated formal weekly supervision throughout the placement to support reflective practice, professional development and application of theory to practice. Students are expected to prepare for and actively participate in supervision. 

Active teaching between practice teacher and the student will occur to support the students in implementing theory to practice, ensuring the development of core skills and competencies for practice and engaging in reflective practice.   In addition, the visiting tutor will offer learning and development support to the student during visits.

There are three appraisal components of the fieldwork placement module. All components must be passed.

1) Practice Performance Assessment - Placement Assessment meetings (Tri-partite meetings) (30% of final placement grade) 

Students are required to prepare for and participate in three placement assessment meetings (tri-partite meetings) scheduled at intervals over the course of the placement. Initial, Mid and End stages of the placement).  Students will be given clear guidance on how to prepare for the assessment visits, and a thorough presentation of their practice/progress to date, they will be expected to evidence competency in meeting the standards of proficiency (evidencing knowledge, and critical understanding of the core skills and competencies pertinent to professional practice) a confident ability to apply theory to practice and critical reflective skills. Each placement assessment meeting will be assessed and marked by the Visiting Tutor (Lecturer in Social Work) with a total of 30% of the total grade being allocated to this assessment component.

Students are required to provide a profile of the service setting and service user.  Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in practice, through the provision of case analysis, evidencing an ability to integrate theory to practice with emphasis on assessment and evaluation, applying, commissioning, timing and sequencing of interventions, while identifying core social work skills and competencies pertinent to their role.  Students will be expected to critically evaluate a number of interventions and outcomes, drawing on service user feedback to develop their practice.  Students will be expected to demonstrate an ability to integrate learning acquired across the programme, for example identifying policy/legislation/ethics pertinent to their role and service setting.  Students are required to clearly map their progress in the context of their identified learning objectives.  Students are required to evaluate their overall performance and identify areas for growth and development as they progress to year two of the programme.  Students will be expected to provide evidence of case recordings (process recordings, learning logs) and reports to ensure proficiency in their writing.

2) Practice Teacher Assessment and Evaluation (Recommendation of Pass or Fail) 

The Practice Teacher (Professionally Qualified Social Worker) who is responsible for the ongoing supervision and assessment of the student during the fieldwork placement will be required to recommend a pass or fail outcome. The practice teacher will also submit a performance evaluation report signed by both the practice teacher and student. The Practice Teacher Assessment and Evaluation Report will identify areas of strength and areas for development for the student.  A 'Pass' will apply when a student has accomplished agreed placement learning to the standard required for the relevant stage of their programme. The Practice Teacher recommendation is considered in the final grade awarded to the student. 

3) Placement Portfolio  (70% of the final grade)

Students are required to provide a profile of the service setting and service user.  Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in practice, through the provision of case analysis, evidencing an ability to integrate theory to practice with an emphasis on assessment and evaluation, applying, commissioning, timing and sequencing of interventions, while identifying core social work skills and competencies pertinent to their role.  Students will be expected to critically evaluate a number of interventions and outcomes, drawing on service user feedback to develop their practice.  Students will be expected to demonstrate an ability to integrate learning acquired across the programme, for example identifying policy/legislation/ethics pertinent to their role and service setting.  Students are required to clearly map their progress in the context of their identified learning objectives.  Students are required to evaluate their overall performance and identify areas for growth and development as they progress to year two of the programme.  Students will be expected to provide evidence of case recordings (process recordings, learning logs) and reports to ensure proficiency in their writing.

Students must achieve a pass grade in all assessment components for Fieldwork Placement 1, in order to proceed to the second year of their programme.

This modules assessment allows for assessment of CORU Standards of Proficiency as follows:

(Domain 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19, 1.20, 1.21 Domain 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 2.15, Domain 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, Domain 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5; 4.6, Domain 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18, 5.19, 5.20, 5.21, 5.22, 5.23,5.24, 5.25, 5.26, 5.27)

Repeat assessments will be decided based on failed components. This will be confirmed at formal exam boards. However, guidance is as follows:

1) A student who does not achieve a pass grade for each placement assessment meeting, will be required to engage in a practice improvement process, which will involve additional placement assessment meetings and evidence from the student they are making improvements in identified areas.  This process is constructed in a way that offers students detailed feedback and guidance and the opportunity to improve on specific areas of practice, where improvements are not achieved in the identified timeline, the placement will be suspended and a fail recorded. This decision will be informed by both the Visiting Tutor and Practice Teacher's assessments of the student, the student will participate in this process. The student will have one opportunity to repeat the placement.

2) A student who has not achieved a pass based on practice performance (this will be agreed by the Practice Teacher and Visiting Tutor) as per the process outlined at 1) above, the student will have one opportunity to repeat the placement. 

3) A student who has not achieved a pass for the placement portfolio will be asked to re-submit the portfolio. Students have one repeat attempt for the practice portfolio, clear feedback/guidance and mentoring will be offered to the student prior to re-submission.

Arising issues with regard to the student’s performance on placement should be highlighted by the practice teachers via the placement assessment meetings (tri-partite meetings) or immediately where a placement assessment meeting is not scheduled imminently. 

Students must pass fieldwork placement 1 in order to progress to Year 2 of the programme.

LO1) Evidence a varied repertoire of practice skills fundamental to social work and relevant to a wide range of clients, modalities, and types of settings.

Students will develop a diverse range of practice skills key to effective social work clients, modalities, and types of settings. This will include interpersonal, communication, relationship building and time management skills.

LO2) Undertake assessments of service users and systems using appropriate and relevant assessment tools.

Under supervision, students will get the opportunity to engage and work directly with service users in the assessment process. They will demonstrate their understanding and application of key professional practices such as confidentiality, informed consent, duty of care.

LO3) Apply, critically evaluate and synthesise policies and research that inform and impact upon best practice.

Effective service delivery requires practitioners to be informed and knowledgeable of all key policies and evidence that will support the provision of best practice within their settings. As such, students will be required to review, critique and utilise policy and evidence, relevant and required to meet their service and service user needs.

LO4) Display a competent knowledge of methods of social work and purposefully select appropriate methods of intervention evidencing an ability to integrate theory to practice.

Exploring how social work theories support the social worker in understanding service users, participation, engagement and social work interventions. Students are expected to identify key / relevant literature, theorists and social work theories and directly apply this to their practice placement. They are expected to demonstrate this connection in their placement portfolio and throughout supervision with their practice teacher during the placement. Where relevant the student will outline how their knowledge of social work theory informs their practice during the course of their practice placement.

LO5) Demonstrate appropriate evaluation skills to ensure that the planned intervention has produced the intended outcomes.

Students will practice evaluation skills, learned in a class environment, that are required within social work practice.

LO6) Represent an ability to review the management of workload.

This learning opportunity wishes to support future practitioners to avoid work overload where possible. The focus of which develop the skills in prioritisation of caseloads and caseload management.

LO7) Demonstrate the ability to engage in interpersonal and professional relationships and to work collaboratively with other professionals with and within the community.

Students will develop their capacity to build and sustain professional relationships as both an independent practitioner and collaboratively as a member of a team They will actively take part in team meetings, and team case conferences, contributing relative to their level of competence.