Applied Social Work: Practice Education

• Study the ways in which you can promote equal opportunities for learners and challenge all forms of oppression and discrimination that affect learners from minority groups
• Explore the different ways in which you can demonstrate an on-going commitment to working in collaboration with local employers, practitioners, service users and carers
• Develop a systematic understanding of your field and critically evaluative your approach to current knowledge in practice education
• Gain the core knowledge, skills and values required for the role of Practice Educator in line with current professional standards, and gain opportunities for further research and development
• Benefit from the systematic and independent ability to critically evaluate both theoretical understanding and application in practice.

This course is designed to provide social workers with skills and knowledge to become effective practice educators and contribute to the learning of others, within the work place and the wider context of social work education.

Mapped against the Practice Educator Professional Standards (TCSW 2013), this course is designed to develop graduates who are able to

• Provide effective learning opportunities for learners in the workplace and make judgements about the capabilities of learners through an understanding and application of the Professional Capabilities Framework (TCSW, 2012).
• Apply theories of adult learning in everyday practice to ensure the best outcomes for students and other learners in the workplace.
• Provide leadership to support the development of a learning organisation which provides lifelong learning and continuous professional development for its workers and so improves the quality of experience for service users, families and carers.

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Throughout the course students will encounter a wide range of assessments designed to collectively meet a variety of individual learning styles and to support them in their progress towards becoming an autonomous learner. These methods are designed to test students in all the areas necessary for competent practice as an experienced Social Work practitioner, as well as in the academic disciplines underpinning this practice. Through the use of a variety of assessment methods, students will be able to demonstrate a wide range of key skills for both academic and practice competence. Assessments building towards the final stage of study encourage more self-directed study and autonomous learning. In most units there is an initial assessment early in the delivery of the course to enable students to receive constructive and developmental feedback on their academic writing. Observations of practice are also integrated within the two core units, designed to provide formative feedback providing students with a clear understanding of areas of strength and their development needs. Evidence of practice competence must be assessed by a professionally qualified and experienced Stage 2 Practice Educator mentor who has been approved by the University for this purpose. Reflection on evidence drawn from practice in the work place underpins many of the assessment activities. Students will be encouraged to read widely across all the units and will be supported to develop their skills in analysing and evaluating data from relevant studies. This is helpful preparation for the research and dissertation units. The final stage involves students undertaking an applied research dissertation which will concentrate on tackling a work-based issue or area of concern, researching this in detail either through primary or secondary research and writing a dissertation with recommendations for improvements in service delivery.

Putteridge Bury campus

Putteridge Bury is a magnificent country mansion set in 30 acres of landscaped gardens and picturesque parkland. Built in 1911, it is just four miles from the University Square campus on the Hertfordshire - Bedfordshire border. 

It is home to the Bedfordshire Business School postgraduate programmes and the University’s Conference Centre.

A free shuttle bus service operates between Putteridge Bury and University Square.

Comprehensive Learning Resources Centre

The Putteridge Bury campus has its own comprehensive Learning Resources Centre equipped with PCs, which give you access to online information databases and more than 2,000 electronic journals.

Students based at Putteridge Bury can also benefit from the 200,000 books and specialist texts, 9,000 journals and 300 fully networked PCs that are available at the University Square campus.

Location

Ideally located only four miles from Luton town centre, Putteridge Bury is set in picturesque parkland just off the A505 and enjoys a tranquil rural environment and ample parking within the grounds.

Putteridge Bury lies close to the University Square campus, and is a short drive from the London Luton airport, the train station and bus station.