Using Visual Methodology: Social Work Student’s Perceptions of Practice and the Impact on Practice Educators

Abstract

Practice learning within social work education plays a significant part in students’ educational journey. Little is understood about the emotional climate of placements. This paper presents a small scale qualitative study of 13 social work students’ perceptions of their relationship with a practice educator (PE) and 6 PEs perceptions of these emotional experiences. Visual methodology was employed over a two-phased research project: first social work students were asked to draw an image of what they thought practice education looked like; phase two used photo eliciation, and PEs were then asked to explore the meaning of these images. Results demonstrated social work students focused on their own professional discourse, the identity of PEs, power relationship and dynamics between themselves and PEs, the disjointed journey and practice education in its entirity. Whilst the PEs shared their personal views of practice education and reflected on this, both groups had a shared understanding of practice education including its values and frustrations.

Keywords:

• social work placements
• visual methodology
• practice educators

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by Faculty of Health and Social Care QR.

Notes on contributors

Julie Bailey-McHale

Julie Bailey-McHale is Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning). She is a registered mental health nurse and has worked in higher education for over 16 years. She is particularly interested in practice learning and the ways in which learners understand their practice experiences and use them to create transformative learning opportunities. Correspondence to: Julie Bailey-McHale, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Riverside Campus, University of Chester, Castle Drive, Chester, CH1 1SL, UK. Email: [email protected]

Rebecca Bailey-McHale

Rebecca Bailey-McHale is lecturer in the department of acute adult care. She is a registered adult nurse, health visitor and non-medical prescriber. She has worked in higher education for three years. Rebecca is interested in mentorship and practice learning and has worked on several projects using visual methodology to explore this topic.

Bridget Caffrey

Bridget Caffrey is a senior lecturer in social work. She is a registered social worker qualifying in 1995 and worked in various adult services prior to working independently as a practice educator and visiting lecturer. Bridget joined the UoC social work department two years ago. She retains a strong interest in developing practice learning and still undertakes practice educating. Bridget also is interested in promoting learning from service users and carers and the continuing professional development of social workers.

Siobhan MacLean

Siobhan MacLean has been a registered social worker since 1990 and worked in multiple social work positions. She is honorary secretary for the International Federation of Social Workers (Europe). Siobhan works as an independent practice educator whilst also being the managing director of Kirwin Maclean Associates.

Victoria Ridgway

Victoria Ridgway is a Senior University Teaching Fellow and a registered adult nurse. She joined the University of Chester in 2003. She is responsible for leading and implementing institutional enhancement initiatives at local level as well as having a key role in promoting and sharing good practice in the Faculty, across the University and HE sector. She has expertise in the use of visual methodology.