The course is for registered social workers who wish to gain a qualification as a Social Work Practice Educator. This unit aims to support the development in understanding of how to organise, support and assess learning in the workplace. By the end of this unit, successful Trainee Practice Educators will have developed the skills and confidence to contribute to the learning and assessment of a range of work-based learners and take responsibility for the learning and assessment of a learner in social work practice. This course was previously called Enabling Work Based Learning.

Indicative unit content

Intended learning outcomes (ILOs):

By the end of the unit, you should be able to demonstrate:

1. The ability to enable learning and professional development in others by selecting, and implementing appropriate learning and teaching strategies, valuing the uniqueness and diversity of learners, in a social work environment.
2. Taking responsibility for aspects of the assessment of learners in practice, using an appropriate range of methods, basing assessment decisions on relevant evidence and using professional judgement to resolve any inconsistencies in the evidence available.
3. The ability to apply appropriate theoretical frameworks and relevant research to social work practice education.
4. Being able to reflect on their practice, particularly with regard to the application of an appropriate professional and personal value base to practice education.

Learning and teaching methods

Within this unit students will encounter a range of learning and teaching methods, including lectures, small group work, directed self-managed learning, seminars, reflective activities and guest speakers. They will have access to a variety of pre-recorded lectures to deepen their learning and understanding.

The main approach to teaching will be reflection and action learning to help students to translate their theoretical knowledge into potential practice applications.

Students will be expected to participate actively in all aspects of the learning process including preparatory engagement with materials and discussion.

This course requires 100% attendance.

Learning outcomes

Having completed this unit the student is expected to:

1. Organise, monitor and critically evaluate opportunities for professional practice learning and the assessment of capability in practice.
2. Enable learning and professional development in others by selecting, and implementing appropriate learning and teaching strategies in a work environment.
3. Take responsibility for aspects of the assessment of learners in practice, using an appropriate range of methods, basing assessment decisions on relevant evidence and using professional judgement to resolve any inconsistencies in the evidence available.
4. Critically apply appropriate theoretical frameworks in practice.
5. Critically reflect on their practice, particularly with regard to the application of an appropriate professional and personal value base to practice education.

Assessment

The course work comprises:

• A record of practice requirements (1,500 word equivalent) which must include some evidence drawn from an observation of practice and third party verification (normally line manager). This assessment element is marked on a Pass/Fail basis.
• A reflective assignment (1,500 words). This assessment element contributes 100% of the mark for the unit.