Hi all,
Have any students had to change placements as a result of the new GSCC regulations coming in stating that all Practice Educators and Work Based Supervisors have to be Social Workers?
I am almost half way through a fantastic and supportive second placement and have been told to move because of the above regulations. It is only my Work Based Supervisor who is not Social Work qualified and in all honesty I don't want to lose the professional relationship that we have because she is an excellent supervisor. My tutors have been really supportive about this however I feel it is a little unfair that I have to completely change placements after settling in so well.
Just wondering if anyone is having/has had an experience like this?
Thanks
Hope2baSocialWorkerSoon
I have not heard of this at all! I am a third year student now on placement, but am still in contact with my last supervisor (not a social worker, I was placed in a voluntary agency) and she has recently had 3 first years placed with her and is awaiting another 2 second years to start in the new year. Those regulations should surely apply to this placement too? There were not even any SW employed in this agency, nor did we really have any contact with them during our work. My practice educator for that placement too was not a SW. I have mixed feelings on it...I felt disadvantaged commencing third year without having had stat experience, and without having actually worked with or spoken with a SW in depth. I think this wpuld be a good thing to introduce, but moreso as a RECCOMENDATION rather than a firm rule. This would allow for fantastic, supportive supervisors as my last to still take on students as there is still a lot of learning to gain from working closely with other professionals.
Personally I don't understand the decision to remove you from your placement and start another when things are going so well. What year are you in? Does this rule only apply to final years? Or is it across the board?
Dear Hope2baSocialWorkerSoon
The GSCC has not changed any policies regarding practice learning. We do now, as we have always, required approved social work providers to ensure that the quality of placements, and practice learning meets our requirements which are there to ensure that the student has a suitable learning experience. We have not introduced any change in policy that could account for your situation.
A new guidance document was issued recently by Skills for Care called the Practice Educator Professional Standards - that document can be found here http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/socialwork/practiceeducation/sw_development_of_practice_education_for_social_work.aspx
However, at the moment the above framework is not regulated by the GSCC and we currently have no role in requiring HEI’s to meet these standards - though its contents are very much supported by stakeholders such as the Social Work Reform Board and the new College of Social work and it is intended to progress it as a mandatory framework by 2015 under the helm of other regulatory and professional bodies. Some Universities have decided to progress implementation of this framework sooner rather than later and it may be that this is true at your university and this may possibly account for your experience. This is not something required by the GSCC or directed by us but would be a decision made by your university.
I hope this information is of help.
Best wishes,
GSCC Community Manager