SW5000 - First Placement – Preparation and Practice

A combination of lectures, seminars, group guidance tutorials and a 70-day placement will be used to support your academic and professional learning on this module. Lectures and seminars will be delivered by the module team and will focus on key concepts introduced within the main topics and subject areas of the module. Individual and group work will facilitate your academic learning and some of the module learning will be encouraged through delivery of key areas of professional practice by specialist practitioners. The module staff team will provide academic support throughout the course of the module. Your learning in practice will be supported and assessed by an allocated Practice Educator (PE). Your PE will provide you with practice learning support and will be responsible for assessment of your practice-based learning. Throughout the duration of your practice-based learning you will have regular supervision with your PE in relation to your development of practice competence in meeting the requirements of the PCF. Teaching and learning strategies provided by your PE will include supporting you in preparing for and undertaking a direct observation of practice and managing the practice experience.

Supervision with your Practice Educator will support you in discussing professional issues and focus on encouraging your critical reflection on your learning experience. During the period of practice-based learning a Personal Tutor (PT) will support you and monitor your professional development and provide academic support during your placement.
Practice Learning Team meetings, attended by the student, Personal Tutor and Practice Educator will be held near the beginning and middle of placement, learning needs and progress will be discussed and tailored support will be offered to assist with professional development.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

At the end of the module you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:

1.Develop knowledge, understanding and an ability to work within the professional standards and meet the required level within the PCF for the end of the first year of professional practice in placement.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

2.Analyse the role of the professional social worker in a range of contexts by undertaking a range of placement experiences and be able to work collaboratively with a range of key stakeholders.

3.Develop the ability to articulate the important role of supervision and make an active contribution to learning and practice in this process.
4. Developed competence in taking responsibility for managing self as a professional social worker within a range of organisational contexts providing social work services.


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5.Develop your value-base and an ethical approach to practice whilst being able to critically reflect on your own development as a professional social worker.

Formative assessment
A formative assessment will require you to present to your Practice Educator (PE) and Personal Tutor (PT) a critical analysis of your practice at a mid-way meeting. Within your practice placement your Practice Educator and Personal Tutor will provide oral feedback at a mid-way point. A formative assessment will require you to present to your PE and PT a critical analysis of your practice at a mid-way meeting. An assignment support session will provide verbal formative feedback to students to assist them to develop their work for the 2,000-word summative assignment.
To assist students to prepare for the 3rd component, Preparation of Placement profile, students will be provided with a profile guidance session and will be encouraged to submit a draft of their profiles which will be reviewed by the module team with feedback for development of the summative assignment.
(MLO1,2,3,4,5)

The summative assessment comprises three parts:
Part 1
You are required to present a complete and well-presented Practice Learning Document (PLD) which will include a signed recommendation from your Practice Educator that you have met the full range of the Professional Capability Framework required at the End of First Placement level. Your PLD will be marked by your Practice Educator as a Grade Pass or a Grade Fail Submission is electronic via Turnitin.

Part 2
You are required to complete a 2,500-word written assignment demonstrating your critical analysis and reflection on a piece of observed practice where you have collaborated with key stakeholders within your practice setting. This assignment must be observed by your Practice Educator. You must include the direct observation paperwork with your submission. The assignment will be an electronic submission via Turnitin. The assignment is marked out of 100%.
However, you must also achieve a ‘PASS’ for the Practice Placement Portfolio and Placement Profile to pass the module.

Part 3
You are required to complete your Placement Profile on the Student Placement Portal (ARC) for your final 100-day placement. This is either ‘accepted’ or rejected’ (for amendments) by the PT but students must ensure that a rejected profile must be resubmitted by the deadline.
This will be marked either as a Grade Pass or Grade Fail.

Throughout the module you will be offered feedback in seminar groups, and you will receive ongoing feedback in relation to your practice-based learning via the supervision process with your Practice Educator (PE).
Written feedback for Parts 2 and 3 of the summative assessment will be provided by the module team.

SW4000, SW4001, SW4002, SW4003, SW4004, SW4005

SW5001, SW5002, SW5003, SW5004

The module will enable you to explore the professional social work context and work within a social care setting with a range of stakeholders. On examining the role of the professional social worker, you will develop your learning in context and through a practice learning based opportunity build collaborative relationships with service users, carers, and other professionals. The specific themes, of concepts and topics covered within the module will include preparing you for your first full time practice placement examining the relevant documentation and stages you will need to undertake within your placement. You will draw on teaching from the wider programme to examine the nature and influence of power, hierarchy, culture and organisational policies and procedures in shaping the role of professional social workers in practice. On developing your understanding of the professional role and context you will acquire knowledge of models of supervision and the importance of contributing to the supervision process as part of the development of your professional practice. Module benefits include an opportunity to understand and explore your professionalism and to work collaboratively within different contexts to enhance your professional knowledge, skills, and values. Successful completion of this module will provide you with 70 of the 200 days in practice required to apply for registration as a qualified social worker on successful completion of the programme.