Student criticism piques providers

Social work students on placements in independent care homes have
been unduly critical of providers, a survey by the English
Community Care Association finds.

Respondents from 112 homes reported several difficulties during
placements such as “an overly critical approach to the home or an
overly political agenda on the part of the student”.

But the poll found that, despite few homes taking on students at
present, many others would consider doing so.

Providers also welcomed the opportunity to learn about the social
worker role and to benefit from students’ skills, the survey
says.

ECCA has teamed up with the Practice Learning Taskforce to
encourage more homes to place students, although the association’s
director of community care Ann Mackay said they had no specific
targets.

• Survey from www.ecca.org.uk