Practice Education (Developing Professional Practice) in Social Work Programme

Overview

The modules are suitable for qualified and experienced social work practitioners who wish to gain the knowledge and skills to teach, supervise and assess social work students during their first or last practice learning opportunity within a social care related organisation and ASYE social workers.

The modules provide a clear grounding in the role of Practice Educator including facilitating and assessing work-based learning through mentoring, supervision provision, training and other methods crucial to the learning and development of others including social work students, newly qualified social workers and supervisees. All teaching and assessments are in line with the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work (PEPS) 

Who are the modules for?

The modules are suitable for qualified and experienced social work practitioners who wish to gain the knowledge and skills to teach, supervise and assess social work students during their first or last practice learning opportunity within a social care related organisation and ASYE social workers.

The modules will equip registered social workers to undertake the responsibilities of a Stage 1 and Stage 2 Practice Educator in accordance with the Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS refresh 2022) covering Domains A – D and the Statement of Values. The modules meet the teaching requirements for the linked statements within the Professional Capabilities Framework (BASW, 2018), the SWE Statements of Proficiency, the Values and Ethics for Social Workers (2017). Practice supervisors can take the first three days of PEPS Stage 1 module.

Links to Continuing Professional Development

Registered social workers may also use the modules to fulfil the post qualification registration training and learning requirements under the regulatory body. The qualifications support candidates to further develop in the role of Professional Educator under the Professional Capability Framework (BASW, 2018) and to continue to develop a career in Practice Education.

Following assessment, registered social workers will achieve 15 masters level credits at each stage completed (30 masters level credits in total upon successful completion of both Stage 1 and Stage 2). These could be used within structured post-qualifying awards. They may be accepted at a range of universities offering such awards but they would make the decision to accept this as approved prior learning.

What will be studied?

How will the modules be taught and assessed?

A variety of teaching methods will be used, including:

• Lectures
• Workshops
• Self-directed learning
• Group work and discussions
• Simulations
• Case Studies
• Tutorials

The course will be taught through a blended learning model. This means that the course will have a mix of online and face-to-face learning. Upon attending the course you will be informed what teaching is expected to be delivered online and what is expected to be taught face to face. The majority of sessions will be face to face. Upon a successful application you can view the finalised upcoming course dates, times and room numbers by logging into your teaching timetable.

The assessment of the module will be completed through:

• An 80 per cent minimum attendance requirement for the course.
• Observations of supervisory practice.
• Compiling a portfolio of evidence that meets the PEPS Standards and Statement of Values.      
• Leading a presentation as a teaching and development opportunity for students.

How to apply

Please complete the application form as an expression of interest in attending the PEPS programme. Please send the application to the email addresses identified at the end of the application form. Applicants will receive a confirmation email. 

Applicants must have practised for at least two years following qualification (including ASYE) and should demonstrate ability to practice at level 7 PCF Experienced Social Work level (BASW 2018).

The applicant must have practised for at least two years following qualification and should demonstrate the ability to practice at PCF Experienced Social Work level.

During this minimum two-year period, social workers interested in qualifying as a practice educator should demonstrate their interest and commitment to practice learning through activities such as supporting learners and other new staff. For example, this might be an activity the applicant has undertaken and used as evidence as their continued professional development (CPD) for registration as a social worker with the regulator (SWE 2019, Professional Standard 4).

Practitioners wishing to apply for the PEPS Stage 2 programme should complete the application form and provide evidence of successfully completing the PEPS Stage 1 programme (or equivalent). Candidates will later be sent an online link for the full university application process, which is required in order to have full access to the university systems, library and be assessed as part of the module.

Course Dates

Teaching days are currently scheduled 9.30am – 4.30pm. Please note that there is an 80 per cent minimum attendance requirement for the course.

Fees

PEPS candidates are not charged for taking the modules(s) if they are supporting a Brunel Social Work student on placement.

Fees are charged at £750 per Stage if the applicant does not support a Brunel Social Work Student on placement (undertaking both Stage 1 and Stage 2 at Brunel would cost a total of £1,500). If the applicant is within an organisation that does not provide a suitably qualified practice assessor then additional fees may apply.

Unfortunately, you will still be charged even if the portfolio is not completed or your attendance falls below the minimum of the 80 per cent requirement.

Enquiries       

SWAdmissions@brunel.ac.uk