COVID-19 impact on social work admissions and education in seven international universities

ABSTRACT

Inter-country Social Work admissions and educational comparisons are difficult due to variance in policy and practices between Social Work educational providers, even within the same country. However, this paper aims to provide an examination of different levels of impact that COVID-19 ‘lockdown’ had on ‘admissions to social work’ processes and on education, using examples from universities in Australia, England, Finland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Ireland and Sweden. Already we know that across these examples, admission processes differ significantly. Variances are between selection and entry methodologies with some institutions using academic entry criteria and personal statements and interviews, while others use academic entry criteria and relevant experience or academic entry only. We also know that practicum duration is variable across providers, lasting between 75 and 200 days. Despite all differences, a distinct adjustment to lockdown required a shift to virtual teaching methods for each institution. This paper seeks to explore the range of approaches adopted to lockdown in relation to practice learning placements in each example. We consider the underpinning values and principles that guided responses to these change processes in the various institutions and longer-term implications emerging from the required rapid change processes are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Education
• professional practice
• training

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Paula McFadden

Dr Paula McFadden, PhD, is a Senior Lecture in Social Work at Ulster University and is interested in social work workforce wellbeing and resilience.

Erics Russ

Dr Erica Russ, is the Course Co-ordinator and Field Education Coordinator for the Bachaelor of Social Work in the University of New England, Australia. Her interests are in child protection and workforce issues.

Paul Blakeman

Mr Paul Blakeman, is a Principle Lecturer in Social Work at Nottingham Trent University in England. He is interested in mental health and social care and virtual teaching methodologies in education.

Gloria Kirwin

Dr Gloria Kirwin, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in Maynooth University, Ireland. She has research interests in child welfare, community development and human rights and inclusion of people in decisions that affect their lives.

Janet Anand

Professor Janet Anand, PhD, is a professor in international social work at the University of Eastern Finland. She is interested in global mindedness, cultural diversity and quality of life and migration.

Sanna Lähteinen

Ms Sanna Lahteinnen, Masters of Social Sciences (Social Work) and Masters of Art (Education) is the coordinator of the Finnish National University Network for Social Work in Finland.

Gunn Astrid Baugerud

Dr Gunn Astrid Baugerud, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Social Work in Oslo Metropolitan and is interested in Child Welfare and Psychology. 

Pia Tham

Dr Pia Tham, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Social Work and Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Gavle Sweden.  Her research interests are on social work workforce wellbeing and education.