Creativity and Care in times of crisis: an analysis of the challenges of the COVID-19 virus experienced by social work students in practice placement

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the way social work responds to a wide range of social issues facing PWLE (People with Learned Experience). This paper evaluates a small-scale research project conducted by academics teaching on a United Kingdom (UK) social work degree programme. It explores the experience of students undertaking social work placements and how their practice was impacted upon by the lockdown. The focus concerns the challenges students faced when they were unable to continue their real-time practice placements and instead were asked to undertake virtual learning experiences through the use of Action Learning Sets (ALS) and Blogs. The responses indicate that the students found the use of Action Learning Sets improved their experience during a difficult period. Important lessons can be learned which can contribute to enhancing the educational experience on social work programmes in the UK. These included the recognition of the student voice in delivery, the impact of caring responsibilities, and the need, in future interventions, to directly involve People With Lived Experience in the development and delivery of such initiatives.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• student experience
• action learning sets
• changing practice
• knowledge development
• gender
• People With Lived Experience (PWLE)

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Solent University; Southampton Solent University.

Notes on contributors

Kieron Hatton

Kieron Hatton is a registered social worker and has worked in the statutory and voluntary sectors before becoming an academic. Previously worked as Principal Lecturer/Head of Social Work at the University of Portsmouth.  Was Course Lead the MSc Social Work and a Masters in European Social Work as well as acting as Module lead on a large number of units. I have extensive experience of research supervision, and acting as an External Examiner including supervising PhD students to completion.Is research active and currently engaged in research around the impact of Covid-19 on social work students. Has published extensively and regularly presented at national and international conferences around a diverse range of issues ranging from Contemporary social work, Excluded young people, Community development, International social work, Mental health and recovery, Social pedagogy. Is a a member of a number of Editorial Boards of peer reviewed journals.

David Galley

David Galley has been a lecturer in social work at Solent University since 2016, and is passionate about the profession and its ability to enhance and make a difference to people’s lives.  Since 2019 has been Course Leader of the BA (Hons) Social Work degree and led a range of modules. A qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, a member of the British Association of Social Workers and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Previously, taught on a range of programmes in the School of Health and Social Care at Bournemouth University. Research interests: completed PhD at Bournemouth University in 2020, conducting research across all four nations of the UK looking at the motivations for males to enter into the female majority occupation of social work. More generally, research interests include gender studies and social justice.

Francisca Christina Veale

Francisca Christina Veale has been working in practice with children and families and managed the four Weymouth & Portland Sure Start Children's Centres. She currently works as a trainer for EDP Reach drug & alcohol services in Dorset/UK. Dr. Veale has years of academic experience in teaching on BA and MA programmes for Early Years, Social Work, and Health & Social Care since 2003. Shehas been a Social Work Practice Educator for a number of universities since 2003. During the academic year 2015/16 she taught for two universities in Germany on their Social Pedagogy and Psychology BA programmes. as well as Intercultural Psychology for European business students for FOM.Iis a peer review reader of journal articles for the British Journal of Social Work (BJSW). Dr. Veale is a published author in Germany and UK.

Gavin Tucker

Gavin Tucker is a qualified and registered social worker. For much of his time in practice  worked in the youth justice system. Has also been a child protection social worker and  has worked in the voluntary sector. Previously taught at Havering College and London Metropolitan University. Is currently undertaking research towards a PhD at Southampton University, focusing on the educational needs of young people involved in the youth justice system.

Colin Bright

Colin Bright is a a registered Social Worker with experience of practice in both the Statutory (Local Authority) services and the voluntary sector. Experience has been primarily within Adult services provision and draws from his experience as a dual qualified practitioner (RNLD and Social Work). Worked as a learning and development lead for professional social workers within a local authority. Is particularly enthused by Practice Education and the dynamics of practice-based learning. Research interests include: the assessment of Work-Based Learning and this is the area he would most like to develop and extend his research activity.