Open AccessUnsung heroes
Author(s) -
Ian T. Mathews,
Diane Simpson,
Adrian Croft,
Mary Lee,
Gillian McKinna
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of practice teaching in social work and health/the journal of practice teaching in social work and health/the journal of practice teaching and learning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.12
H-Index - 6
eISSN - 1746-6113
pISSN - 1460-6690
DOI - 10.1921/jpts.v9i2.396
Subject(s) - tutor , social work , pedagogy , value (mathematics) , work (physics) , psychology , medical education , medicine , political science , engineering , computer science , mechanical engineering , machine learning , law
Since the introduction of the three year degree programme in 2003, social work education has undergone a number of significant changes. The time students spend on placement has been increased to two hundred days, and the range of placement opportunities and the way in which these placements have been configured has significantly diversified. A consistent feature over the years, however, has been the presence of a Practice Educator (PE) who has guided, assessed and taught the student whilst on placement. Unsurprisingly, the role of the PE and the pivotal relationship they have with the student has been explored in the past and features in social work literature.This paper, however, concentrates on a range of other relationships which are of significance in providing support to students on placement. In particular it draws on research to discuss the role of the university contact tutor, the place of the wider team in which the student is sited, and the support offered by family, friends and others.Placements and the work undertaken by PE’s will continue to be integral to the delivery of social work education. It is, however, essential to recognise and value the often over looked role of others in providing support to students on placement.