Shared practice learning: Social work and district nurse students learning together

The importance of developing opportunities for shared learning between social workers and other professional groups has been emphasised in recent government publications. However, much of the research evidence concerning the impact of shared learning concentrates on the taught elements of programmes rather than the practice experience. This paper examines the findings that have emerged from the Shared Practice Learning project, which focused on the experiences of social work and district nurse students who were placed alongside each other during their practice placements. It identifies the educational benefits to have emerged from the project, notably the broadening of the perspectives of the students involved. The paper also examines the practical and organisational difficulties that stand in the way of more formalised shared practice learning arrangements. It is argued that while there are clear educational gains from a more systematic development of shared practice learning--and that these would apply to a range of professions connected to social work--the complexity of organisational arrangements may serve to render such developments impractical.