SOCW09004 2022 Fieldwork Placement 2

Demonstrate accomplished communication skills. (Domain 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.16, 1.18; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 2.15; 3.1, 3.12; 4.1, 4.2, 4.5; 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.11, 5.12, 5.15, 5.18, 5.19, 5.20, 5.22, 5.23, 5.27)

Practice in an anti‑discriminatory way through exerting a heightened degree of confidence in the use of advanced interviewing and communication skills with service users. (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; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.9, 2.12; 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9, 3.10; 4.1, 4.3, 4.4; 5.1, 5.3, 5.7, 5.8, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.17, 5.18, 5.20, 5.22, 5.23)

Demonstrate planning, implementation and evaluation skills in order to make professional judgements. Domain (1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.9, 1.10, 1.16, 1.17, 1.18, 1.19, 1.20; 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.14; 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; 4.4, 4.5; 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 5.17, 5.18, 5.20, 5.21, 5.22, 5.23)

Critically evaluate the role of reflective practice in relation to personal and professional development and be able to identify with the ethics and values of professional social work practice. Domain (1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.10, 1.19, 1.21; 2.3, 2.4, 2.10, 2.15; 3.6; 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6; 5.4, 5.5, 5.13, 5.21, 5.22, 5.24, 5.26)

Demonstrate an understanding and apply standards of professional behaviour and competency appropriate to levels of study. Domain (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.18, 1.19, 1.20, 1.21; 3.6, 3.7; 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 4.6; 5.2, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.12, 5.21, 5.24)

Critically assess and modify the effectiveness of various patterns of service delivery in conjunction with other services and other personnel. (Domain 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, 1.7, 1.10, 1.14, 1.15, 1.18, 1.20; 2.13, 2.14, 2.15; 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14; 4.5, 4.6; 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, 5.9, 5.15, 5.16, 5.20, 5.21, 5.24, 5.25, 5.26)

Students must successfully complete 500 hours of practice placement in Year 2. 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 from the early to mid 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 supervision and guidance), with dedicated formal weekly supervision throughout the placement to support advancement of reflective practice skills, 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.

The Performance Assessment and Evaluation Report completed by the Practice Teacher for the students first fieldwork placement is a vital for the student to support professional development, critical reflection, self-evaluation and planning for the second and final placement. Consequently, the student’s identified learning needs should become more focused and specific and expectations from the practice teacher, tutor and the student themselves are greater in the final MSW placement. The essential competencies and proficiencies of social workers will be practised and assessed within this learning environment.

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

1) 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 through 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 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 upon qualification and professional practice.  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 2, in order to achieve qualification.

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 2 in order to achieve qualification.

LO1) Demonstrate accomplished communication skills.

The student will demonstrate appropriate skills in communicating information, listening, giving advice, instruction and professional opinion. Mindful of the different types and styles of communication needed in specific contexts. Effective communication also requires the student to ensure the implementation of best practice in written work and record management.

LO2) Practice in an anti-discriminatory way through exerting a heightened degree of confidence in the use of advanced interviewing and communication skills with service users.

The final year student will practice in partnership with service users and their relatives/supporters, groups, communities and other professionals. The student will display such knowledge and skills as advanced empathy, active listening and respect. 

LO3) Demonstrate planning, implementation and evaluation skills in order to make professional judgements.

Students will work effectively with service users to plan and implement effective social work practice They will apply skills and methods appropriate to delivering a range of social work interventions to meet different service user needs within the setting.They will be able to identify and assess service users’ needs, formulate and deliver plans and strategies to meet identified needs, evaluating, as an ongoing process.

LO4) Critically evaluate the role of reflective practice in relation to personal and professional development and be able to identify with the ethics and values of professional social work practice.

Students will reflect critically on personal and professional practice in order to be able to improve it. Part of this will include taking responsibility for personal and professional development to support their transition to a professional social worker.

LO5) Demonstrate and understanding and apply standards of professional behaviour and competency appropriate to levels of study.

While on placement students will practice and display their skills that are informed by evidence, and within their sphere of competence. They will demonstrate their ability to work independently but also as a member of the team. They will show themselves to be capable of providing quality care to service users, altering plans, making reasoned decisions, amending practices based on service user need.

LO6) Critically assess and modify the effectiveness of various patterns of service delivery in conjunction with other services and other personnel.

Students will actively engage in their role as a member of a team and use the knowledge and expertise of all key stakeholder to develop effective and appropriate services to meet specific needs.