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Abstract
The Professional Capabilities Framework has presented some considerable challenges for Social Work courses across the UK in respect to the structure of placements. Particularly for degree programmes, the shift towards two longer placements has raised capacity issues at a time of reduced statutory placements able to host final year students. This has of course been exacerbated by the current political climate of local authority cuts. This paper examines the pros and cons of the use of final year placement split between the voluntary, independent and private (VIP) and statutory sectors to attempt to overcome challenges including capacity issues. Having reviewed the relevant literature, this paper conducts a preliminary survey of models of split placements currently being used throughout the United Kingdom and suggests points of future research. Findings suggest that final year split placements divided between the VIP sector and a statutory setting are not in widespread use at the moment. However, different models of split placement are being discussed and piloted at a local level by Social Work programmes needing to find creative solutions. There is a desire for higher education institutions to share information in order to save time and share good practice.
Acknowledgements
The membership of the Practice Learning Partners Meetings, especially Lizzie Clark who served as a remote member of this subgroup. All individuals who responded through the Skills for Care Network; Stewart Granger; Karen Boutland for help with resources, Tim Porter (PPO-UWE) for advice about professional placements in other disciplines; Lindsey Thomas, Locality Manager for the South West at Skills for Care; staff at UWE Frenchay Library for help with interlibrary loans.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Sarah J. Davies had 12 years’ experience as Social Work Placements Co-ordinator for UWE. Correspondence to: Sarah J. Davies (Placements Co-ordinator – Social Work), Student and Academic Services, Room 2FC100, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK. E-mail: [email protected].
Daryl Dugdale was the Programme Director MSc in Social Work, School for Policy Studies at University of Bristol. He had previous experience in the field of Social Work education as well as within training and development.
Rachel Hayhow had more than 15 years’ experience as a Practice Learning Co-ordinator and tutor, also in Bristol, and of off-siting assessing in the area.