PRACTICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PRE-PLACEMENT HANDBOOK. BSc (Hons) Social Work 2009/2010. School of Health, Community and Education Studies

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1 PRACTICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PRE-PLACEMENT HANDBOOK BSc (Hons) Social Work 2009/2010 School of Health, Community and Education Studies Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 1 of 26

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3 CONTENTS PAGE 1. Introduction 5 2. Practice Placements Office 6 3. Aims and Objectives of Placements 7 4. Organising Placements 8 5. Notification of Placements 9 6. Requests to Change a Placement 9 7. Contacting the Placement Area 9 8. Travel 9 9. Preparation for Placement /Shadowing Day Placement Portfolios Placement Evaluation Frequently Asked Questions 11 Appendix 1 Policy and Procedures 14 Appendix 2 Pre-placement Agreement Form 17 Appendix 3 Example of Student Placement Profile 19 Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 3 of 26

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5 1. Introduction This booklet has been designed to give you an overall picture of placement organisation. Please read this information carefully so that you can make best use of your placement experience. Practice placements are an integral part of your programme. Throughout your time on the BSc Social Work Programme you will spend a total of 200 days in practice settings. You will be required to meet and achieve learning outcomes whilst on placement. In order for this to happen we will have ensured that there are appropriate staff to support you and that the learning environment is able to provide a range of learning opportunities for you to meet the requirements of the placement modules. If you require additional support or advice when on placement please contact your Guidance Tutor or the Practice Learning Coordinator. To assist you in succeeding within the placement environment, this booklet provides you with information in relation to the organisation of placements. We hope that this information will answer many of the questions you may have before and during your placement experiences. If, having read the booklet, you believe we have missed anything please do not hesitate to get in touch. Wishing you all successful and enjoyable placements. Jeannine Hughes Practice Learning Coordinator, BSc (Hons) Social Work Room G210 Coach Lane Campus East Newcastle Upon Tyne NE7 7XA Telephone: jeannine.hughes@northumbria.ac.uk Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 5 of 26

6 2 Practice Placements Office The Practice Placements Office within the school of Health, Community & Education Studies is, in conjunction with the Practice Learning Coordinator, responsible for organising any practice learning opportunities (placements) that are required for the social work programme. The Practice Placements Department has an academic lead (Director of Practice Placements) who has responsibility for working with all staff that are involved in placements. The Practice Placements Administrative Team comprises a number of Administrators, under the guidance of a Senior Administrator. Different Administrators are responsible for specific programmes. The contact details for the Practice Placements Administrator for the BSc Social Work Programme are: Natalie Weir Administrator Practice Placements B104, B Block School of Health, Community and Education Studies Northumbria University Coach Lane Campus Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA Tel: (direct line) Fax: Natalie.weir@northumbria.ac.uk For Further placements information, please visit:- Opening hours are: Monday to Thursday: 8.30am 5.00pm Friday: 8.30am 4.30pm Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 6 of 26

7 3 Aims and Objectives of Practice Learning The Department of Health (DOH) through their regulatory body the General Social Care Council (GSCC) requires all students to spend at least 200 days within placement settings. Each student must have experience: In at least two practice settings Of statutory social work tasks involving legal interventions Of providing services to at least two service user groups (for example child care and mental health). The National Occupational Standards for Social Work provide a baseline for identifying standards of practice. All qualifying social workers must reach these standards which are sub-divided into 6 Key Roles, each Key Role has a number of sub-objectives. You are advised to visit: as this website contains all detail relating to National Occupational Standards. Key Role 1 Prepare for work with Individuals, families, carers groups and communities to assess their needs and circumstances. Key Role 2 Plan, carry out, review and evaluate social work practice, with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities and other professionals Key Role 3 Support individuals to represent their needs, views and circumstances Key Role 4 Manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, self and colleagues Key Role 5 Manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for your own social work practice within your organisation Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 7 of 26

8 Key Role 6 Demonstrate professional competence in social work practice All social work students must also demonstrate that they are able to adhere to the GSCC Code of Practice for Social Care Workers (available via: r+codes/). The University, stakeholder agencies and practice assessors all share responsibility for enabling the GSCC requirements to be met. Students also have responsibility for their own learning, practice and professional development during the social work programme. 4 Organising Placements During the course you will usually have four assessed practice learning opportunities known as placements. You will be required to complete a Placement Profile which will be used by the Practice Learning Coordinator in conjunction with stakeholder agencies and the Placement Administrator to identify the location of your placements (see Appendix 1 for the full policy and procedures). The contents of your profile will be shared with placement providing agencies. Profiles submitted after set deadlines may impact upon your placement. We cannot accept requests from students to be allocated to a specific practice learning opportunity. Students must not approach any agency to seek a placement opportunity. Those students undertaking the Work Based Learning Route will receive guidance in relation to placements during the course of their programme. You will be supported during your practice learning opportunity by specialist agency staff known as link workers and/or practice assessors (information in relation to the roles and responsibilities of students, agency and University staff will be provided in a Placement Handbook which will accompany each placement). There is close collaboration between representatives of the agencies providing placements and the University practice placement staff. This ensures the availability of quality practice learning opportunities that provide students with the experience to meet programme requirements. Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 8 of 26

9 5 Notification of Placements You will normally receive notification of your placements no sooner than 4 weeks prior to the expected start date. This information will be given to you via your University account, personal addresses cannot be used. 6 Requests to Change a Placement Practice Learning Opportunities are allocated to make best use of the practice learning resources available to all students. A practice learning opportunity cannot usually be changed unless there are extenuating circumstances, for example you know or are known to the agency. Should extenuating circumstances arise they must be notified to either the Practice Learning Co-ordinator or Practice Placements Administrator in writing as soon as possible and at the latest within two weeks of you receiving notification of your practice learning opportunity. You must clearly state, in your letter, the reasons why you have problems with the practice learning opportunity allocated to you. Once a request to review or transfer a practice learning opportunity is received a decision will be made (within two weeks) and you will be notified accordingly. If you do not agree with the decision made, you have the right to appeal via the Director of Practice Placements. 7 Contacting the Placement Area Students are required to make contact with their allocated placement within one week of receiving notification. You will usually be expected to visit the agency prior to the commencement of the placement period to introduce yourself and to ask any pertinent questions. This preplacement visit will also provide you with the opportunity to meet the link worker and/or the practice assessor. 8 Travel The University works with social work and social care agencies that cover a wide geographical area north to the borders of Scotland and south to Durham. While it is accepted that practice learning opportunities need to be reasonably accessible, travel is an implicit part of the programme. You will therefore need to be prepared to travel to your placement destination. You may also have further travel in the course of your work after arriving at your placement. Information in Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 9 of 26

10 relation to travelling expenses will be provided in the Placement Handbook, which will accompany each placement. NB: Students are not insured by the University to use their own cars. To visit clients whilst on placements you will need to have Business cover which includes the statement that you are empowered to carry people whilst on business as part of your car insurance. Some Insurance Companies make a charge for this but others do not charge. You will be asked to let the programme know whether or not you have the use of a car before practice learning opportunities are allocated as there are some placements which will only be available to students who are able to have the use of a car. 9 Preparation for Placement / Shadowing Day The academic programme is designed to prepare students for practice learning opportunities. Specific sessions will also be held to familiarise you with placement documentation and to explore the requirements of each stage of learning. Your attendance at these sessions is compulsory. Prior to the first practice learning experience, students will be given the opportunity to shadow a qualified social worker for one day. Some students, who have prior experience of working alongside qualified social workers, may wish to seek an exemption from this day. This exemption can be obtained from the Practice Learning Coordinator in conjunction with your Guidance Tutor. 10 Placement Portfolios You will be provided with a blank portfolio by the Programme team prior to commencing your placement. All students will be required to complete this portfolio of evidence which will be assessed. You will be expected to take a copy of this portfolio to your next placement. Therefore it is essential that at the end of every placement you retain a full copy of your completed portfolio. 11 Placement Evaluation All Students will need to evaluate their Practice Learning Experience for every placement undertaken within the programme. Failure to do so may delay the release of details of your next placement allocation. Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 10 of 26

11 In order for us to monitor and improve the quality of practice placements, data and information collated via the Practice Learning Experience evaluation form shall be used to produce anonymised reports for academic colleagues, partner placement providers and external organisations. Students should note that information gathered via the evaluation process, may be shared. We would respectfully remind all students to take this into consideration when making comment about individual members of staff or identifying specific placement areas. All information submitted via the evaluation questionnaire will be collected and managed in accordance with the Northumbria University Data protection notification and under the terms outlined within Section 14 of the Handbook of Regulations. 12 Frequently Asked Questions: Below are some of the questions that we are most frequently asked, together with the answers you will be given. Q.1: When will I find out where my first practice learning opportunity is? You are usually notified three to four weeks prior to the commencement of the placement. Q.2: How do I get in touch with my practice learning opportunity provider? You will be given the information to enable you to do this at the same time as you are told where it will be. Q.3: When should I contact my practice learning provider? Within one week of receiving notification of your practice learning opportunity. Q.4: Who do I contact at the placement? You will be told who to contact. It is usually the link worker. Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 11 of 26

12 Q.5: What kind of organisation will I be placed in? The main criterion for placements is that you are within an Agency which will enable you to meet the learning outcomes/ National Occupational Standards for Social Work appropriate to the level of study. You may be allocated a placement in one of the following: Residential settings, fieldwork teams, day service/centre provision, schools, advice shops and advocacy services. These settings may be in either statutory or non-statutory environments such as the private, independent or voluntary sector. (It should be noted that this list is not exhaustive). Students may be expected to work with one or more of the following service user groups (again this list is not exhaustive): Carers, older people, refugees and asylum seekers, disabled people, families, children, adolescents and offenders. Q.6: Will I get a wide variety of learning opportunities? You will get the opportunity to work in at least two different settings during the programme for example: children & families and adult services. Q.7: What hours will I be expected to work? Each placement has a specific number of days that need to be completed within the agency. Whilst the GSCC does not stipulate a specific day length, students are expected to work the same hours as other workers within the agency. This may vary between different organisations; your hours of work should be detailed on your Practice Learning Agreement., the usual range of hours worked per week is between Q.8: Will I work weekends and bank holidays? This is possible, although it will depend on the practice learning opportunity. Some agencies provide continuous services. You will need to agree your pattern of working hours with the agency link worker, however you may be required to work a shift pattern. Should any difficulty arise you should contact your Guidance Tutor (GT) or Placement Support Person (PSS). Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 12 of 26

13 Q.9: What are my objectives whilst in placement? You will receive a booklet that identifies the objectives you are expected to achieve. This will be given to you in the practice learning opportunity preparation session. Q.10: What support will I receive whilst on placement? At level 4 students will be allocated a link worker, at levels 5 and 6 you will be allocated a practice assessor you may also be allocated a link worker. You will have regular contact with your identified link worker/practice assessor. You will also be in contact with your Guidance Tutor or Placement Support Person whilst on placement. Q.11: What happens if I am sick or absent during the placement? Any absence must be notified to your link worker, practice assessor and your Guidance Tutor (GT) or Placement Support Person (PSS). immediately. Your tutor will notify the practice learning coordinator to ensure that all placement days are accurately recorded. In order to meet the regulations of the programme, you will be required to make up any placement days lost through illness. Your tutor will provide additional guidance if this is required. Absence from the placement, such as non-attendance (including holiday) that has not previously been negotiated, and is not sick leave, may be considered to demonstrate unprofessional behaviour. This may reflect negatively on a student in terms of professional accountability, ability to communicate, and an ability to show respect for others and therefore may impact upon meeting the placement requirements. It is therefore vital that students do not book holidays that will occur during the placement period without discussion with your link worker/practice assessor. Q.12: Are there any requirements before I can go out on placement? Before beginning your Practice Learning Opportunity at Level Four, all students will have been assessed in the University as fit to practice by undertaking Module SW0402 Interpersonal Skills. You may also be required by your allocated agency to undertake a further CRB check; this is usually at the agency s expense. Students must also be prepared to produce a copy of their CRB should an agency require to see this information. Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 13 of 26

14 APPENDIX 1 POLICY AND PROCEDURE RELATING TO THE ALLOCATION OF PRACTICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO QUALIFYING SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS 1. INTRODUCTION The School of Health, Community & Education is responsible for the allocation of all undergraduate-social work practice learning opportunities. Currently we negotiate and contract with a range of statutory independent and voluntary organisations. We also have responsibility for health and safety issues, indemnity and contracting. 1.1 The following procedure is used by the programme to allocate students to practice learning opportunities. 2. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this procedure is to provide a means of dealing with the students in a systematic and objective way and to try and ensure equity amongst all students in relation to their practice learning opportunity. This policy is divided into: 2.1 The procedure 2.2 The responsibilities of students 2.3 The rights of the individuals 2.1 PROCEDURE The procedures used for the allocation of a practice learning opportunities for undergraduate Social work Programmes are as follows: All students will be required to complete a Practice Learning Opportunity Profile form by the deadline set by the Practice Learning Coordinator. All Profiles must be completed electronically. It is the students responsibility to ensure that the Profile is received by the placements office by the due date, in the format required. All students must retain an electronically filed copy of their profile as they will be required to complete a new profile for each placement, repeating and updating previous information. Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 14 of 26

15 2.1.2 The student Profile provides the practice placement team with relevant information including practical details such your address, limited personal details and any extenuating circumstances. Travel is not considered to be an extenuating circumstance Any student whose profile is not received by the due date may not commence placement on the expected start date. 2.2 STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES Students are expected to inform the Practice Placements Office of any change of address, university address or personal circumstances Students will be allocated to suitable practice learning opportunities throughout their programme and will be told of these at the relevant time. Once the information about practice learning opportunities is available, students may request to change placements if they have an extenuating circumstance. This request must be made in writing to the placements office, within the first two weeks after notification. Changes will not normally be made after this time. If a problem arises after the deadline date, we will need the support of your Programme Manager before any changes can be made. Late requests must be made to the Programme Manager; requests via Guidance Tutors will not be accepted. Should unforeseen circumstances arise the University has systems to respond to this. Students should contact their Programme Manager in the first instance. These may include any special requirements or circumstances that may affect the practice learning opportunity We cannot accept requests for specific practice learning opportunities from students In normal circumstances students MUST make contact with the placement within one week of you being notified of your practice learning opportunity Students who have previous convictions, cautions or have been subject to disciplinary proceedings, investigated under Section 47 of the Children Act (1989) with respect to child protection concerns, or have been investigated by any social services department with respect to abuse of a vulnerable adult (POVA), must declare this in the relevant section of the Placement Profile. Where applicable, students will also be required to provide the Programme Manager with a written statement disclosing dates, details and the context of the incident(s). This information will be given to an appropriate person within the Agency Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 15 of 26

16 where the student is to be placed. By signing the Pre placement agreement form you have given permission for the sharing of this information The University aims to be fully compliant with the Disability Discrimination Acts (DDA) 1995, Disabled students, including those with dyslexia or other Specific Learning Difficulties, sensory impairments, mobility impairments, mental health issues, medical conditions or other disabilities are encouraged to discuss any placement related needs with their Placement Coordinator at the earliest opportunity. Unless your disability is visible, proof will be required prior to any reasonable adjustment being made. We would also like to draw disabled students' attention to the support available from the Disabilities Service: THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL If you have concerns about the practice learning opportunity allocated to you, you should contact the Practice Learning Coordinator (Social Work) to discuss these. Agreement will normally be reached by negotiation which may include discussions with the agency staff. In the unlikely circumstances that agreement cannot be achieved, the Practice Learning Co-ordinator will make a decision and inform the student of the outcome If the decision is unacceptable to the student s/he has the right to appeal in writing to the Practice Learning Sub-Committee. Please note that you will be provided with additional information relating to your Practice Learning Opportunities within the placement handbook that will accompany each placement. Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 16 of 26

17 APPENDIX 2 PRE-PLACEMENT AGREEMENT FORM FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS PRE-PLACEMENT AGREEMENT FORM FOR SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS ** PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM IN BLOCK CAPITALS ** I confirm that I have read and understood the implications of the Practice Learning Opportunity Pre-Programme Handbook:- Name:. University Address (this must be provided): Home Address: Term Time Address (if different): Post Code: Home Telephone: Post Code: Term Time Telephone:.. Signature:.... Date: Please detach this sheet from the rest of the booklet, and forward to: Natalie Weir Administrator Practice Placements B104, B Block School of Health, Community and Education Studies Northumbria University Coach Lane Campus Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA (telephone); (fax) This form must be returned by 04 November 2009 Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 17 of 26

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19 NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY BSc (Hons) Social Work APPENDIX 3 GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT PROFILE (ASSESSED PRACTICE) These profiles are sent to agencies in order to consider whether a placement is available, so please take your time to complete these legibly and accurately. Please read the following explanations carefully before you complete the form. Remember this will be your first contact with your potential placement. Sections A - Address during placement: This information is needed to look at the viability of the placement location in relation to your training address. Whilst we will endeavour to take account of your address, it must be noted that this is dependent on placement availability and the experience required, therefore this may not be possible. Should this be the case, you will be expected to travel to an available placement. Section C Agencies: Stakeholder agencies are contacted to locate suitable placements for you. Please identify any local agencies where you work (including secondment or traineeships) or where you have relatives or close friends working. Section D - Individual Circumstances: Please provide information here of any individual circumstances that should be taken into consideration when allocating your placement. Please be aware that you will be expected to work a normal full time working week (35 40 Hours) within the agency you are placed. Whilst we endeavour to take your circumstances into consideration, it should be noted that this is not always possible. Section F -Voluntary Work: List all voluntary work experience in chronological order stating, type of work, place of work, length of service, brief description of duties both prior to and during the course. Section G Employment: List all paid employment in chronological order stating, job title, place of work, length of service and brief description of duties prior to and during the course. Please only state Statutory or Non statutory for employment experience within Social work/social care agencies, leave this column blank for all other employment experience (i.e. Customer Services, Administration). Section H Summary Statement: Reflect upon all relevant personal and professional experiences to date in no more than one side of A 4. To assist you to complete this section you may wish to discuss this section with your tutor and consider relevant academic work to date. Appendix 4.1 Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 19 of 26

20 Please provide details of any Disability/Health Issues. This will enable us to provide relevant support and/or address any implications for Health and Safety in the workplace. You should also inform us if you are pregnant or returning from Maternity leave in this section. Ethnic origin this information is optional and will be used both for monitoring purposes and to ensure that Practice Assessors can be adequately prepared to offer any appropriate support services Some placement areas are not suitable for students under the age of 21, please tick the box if applicable. Appendix 4.2 Students who have previous convictions, cautions or have been subject to disciplinary proceedings, investigated under Section 47 of the Children Act (1989) with respect to child protection concerns, or have been investigated with respect to abuse of a vulnerable adult (POVA), must declare this here. Students will also be required to provide the Programme Manager with a written statement (preferably via to alison.carrick@northumbria.ac.uk) disclosing dates, details and the context of the incident(s). This information will be given to an appropriate person within the Agency where the student is to be placed PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY GAPS Please return your completed form by to Natalie.weir@northumbria.ac.uk Instructions: Open the attachment Read the profile Save it as a word document, complete it, save the changes and then close it Send a new to Natalie Weir and add the completed profile as an attachment Should you have any queries about the completion of this form please contact: Natalie Weir, Northumbria University, Practice Placements, Room B104, B Block, Coach Lane Campus, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7XA, Telephone: (0191) , or Jeannine Hughes, Practice Placement Coordinator, Room G210, Coach Lane Campus east, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 &XA, Telephone: (0191) Failure to complete this form by the set deadline may impact upon your level 4 placement. Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 20 of 26

21 YEAR ONE - Level 4 a Placement Profile Module SW0404 Working with People Name of Student: A. Address during placement:. Telephone Numbers: Land Line Mobile.. University .. B. Name of Guidance Tutor:. Telephone Number:.. Tutor Address:.. C. Placements are arranged with stakeholder agencies. Have you or a close relative ever received or applied for services from any stakeholder agencies? You may wish to talk to your tutor to assist you to decide relevant information to include. If yes please indicate which agency Do you, or any relatives / friends work in departments within local stakeholder agencies? (this includes traineeships, secondments etc) If yes please give details Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 21 of 26

22 D. Are there any individual circumstances, which you would like to be taken into consideration before you are offered a placement? This information will be shared with the appropriate agency personnel only. (Whilst we endeavour to take your circumstances into consideration, it should be noted that this is not always possible) Please Note: You will be expected to work a normal full time working week (35 40 Hours) within the agency you are placed Individual circumstances Further details... E. Will you have the use of a car during the placement? Yes/No If no do you have a current clean driving licence? Yes/No Please note that you will be expected to travel to placements throughout your programme, see pre placement handbook. F. Any voluntary experience (please only state Statutory or Non Statutory for Social Work/Social Care agencies) Dates From/To Agency/ Venue/ Service User Group Statut ory/n on Statut ory Description of Duties Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 22 of 26

23 G: All employment experience (Please only state Statutory or Non statutory for employment experience within Social work/social care agencies, leave this column blank for all other employment experience (i.e. Customer Services, Administration). Dates From /To Agency / Venue/ Service User Group Statut ory/no n Statut ory Description of Duties Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 23 of 26

24 H: Summary statement reflecting upon learning and experience to date Please attach no more than one side of A 4 I confirm that I have read and understand the profile and guidelines. SIGNED (Student).*... DATE... SIGNED (Tutor) DATE. *to sign document electronically, type your signature Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 24 of 26

25 APPENDIX 4.1 Are there any Disabilities/Health issues, which you would like to be taken into consideration or may have implications for health and safety before you are offered a placement? This information will be shared with the appropriate agency personnel only. If you are pregnant or returning from Maternity leave please also indicate here a risk assessment on placement may be required Please Note: You will be expected to work a normal full time working week (35 40 hours) within the agency you are placed Disability/ Health YES/NO If yes please provide further details and indicate whether you have had a recent assessment with the Disabilities Service... Ethnic Origin: (please tick appropriate box this information is optional) African Caribbean Indian Pakistani Bangladeshi Chinese European (UK) European(other) Other - please give details.. Some placement areas are not suitable for students under the age of 21, please tick the box to indicate if you are under the age of 21 Under 21 years It is a requirement that all students are registered with the GSCC prior to commencing placement, please sign below to confirm that your registration pack has been sent to the GSCC Student signature.. Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 25 of 26

26 APPENDIX 4.2 Have you been investigated under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 as part of Child Protection Procedures? (Please underline appropriate answer) Yes / No If yes please provide the Programme Manager with a written statement (preferably via ) disclosing dates, details and the context of the incident(s). This information will be given to an appropriate person within the Agency where the student is to be placed.* Have you been investigated by a Social Services department in connection with abuse of a vulnerable adult? (Please underline appropriate answer) Yes / No If yes please provide the Programme Manager with a written statement (preferably via ) disclosing dates, details and the context of the incident(s). This information will be given to an appropriate person within the Agency where the student is to be placed.* Criminal conviction/caution or disciplinary proceedings Yes / No If yes please provide the Programme Manager with a written statement (preferably via ) disclosing dates, details and the context of the incident(s). This information will be given to an appropriate person within the Agency where the student is to be placed.* * To assist you to complete this section you may wish to discuss this section with your Guidance Tutor Document control: Last updated September 2009 Page 26 of 26