Personal Details
Name: __________________________________________________
Programme: BSc (Hons) Social Work
Cohort: _________________________________________________
(E.g. 09/08)
BCU Student Number: _____________________________________
GSCC Number: ___________________________________________
Date CRB Cleared: ________________________________________
Date Occupational Health Cleared: __________________________
Personal Tutor: __________________________________________
If this document is found please return it to:
Placement Allocations Officer ~ Social Work
Department of Practice Learning
Faculty of Health
Birmingham City University
Westbourne Campus
Edgbaston
B15 3TN
Explanatory notes to aid completion are on the reverse of this sheet
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PERSONAL DETAILS
Guidelines for completion
This section should be completed in as much detail as possible, so that this
information is to hand when it is needed.
Name: Give all Forenames as well as surname.
Programme: Give the full title of the course being undertaken.
Cohort: This is usually referred to by numerical representation of the month and year
the course started.
BCU Student Number: This is the number allocated to you by the Birmingham City
University when you commence this programme of study.
GSCC Number: This is the number allocated to you by the General Social Care
Council (GSCC) when you have submitted your application form and successfully
met GSCC Suitability Criteria.
Date CRB Cleared: This is the date you received CRB Clearance for your
programme of study, it is important that you keep a copy of your clearance and take it
with you to each placement interview.
Date Occupational Health Cleared: This is the date you are Occupational
Health Cleared and assessed as fit to attend University and Practice.
Personal Tutor: You will be allocated a tutor who will support and monitor you
during the programme please record their name here.
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Useful Information
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WELCOME
On behalf of the staff at the Birmingham City University (BCU) I am delighted to
extend a warm welcome to you. I am pleased that you have chosen to study for your
Social Work and educational qualifications at Birmingham City University (BCU).
Your course is managed and taught by a team of staff with extensive academic and
professional experience. The main aim of the course is to enable you to achieve your
qualifications in an environment where there is mutual respect and a commitment to
meeting your learning needs. You will be allocated a personal tutor for the duration of
your course and should you require additional help there are a variety of services
available within the Faculty of Health and the wider University to assist and support
you.
The University has strong links with all the Local Authorities and private sector care
providers where you will be placed for practical experience. Training Co-ordinators
and the Department of Practice Learning will all assist you in getting the most out of
varied and stimulating practical placements.
We are sure you will find studying at Birmingham City University an exciting
experience, and we wish you every success with your course.
Professor Ian Blair
Dean of Faculty
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WHAT IS A PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FOLDER?
During your Social Work career you will be required to maintain an ongoing Personal
& Professional Development Folder. It is expected that you will demonstrate your
Folder your continuing acquisition of skills, knowledge, attitudes understanding and
achievement. This Social Work student Personal & Professional Development Folder
commences this process of life-long learning.
Personal & Professional Development Folder which will prepare you demonstrating
your continuing professional development. This folder is a collection of evidence to
show that you are continually developing as a student Social Worker and that you
have kept up-to-date in your Social Work practice. It will become a bulky document
which you will need to keep safe. It will contain elements of reflection, evidence to
support learning and relevant assessment documents this can help you when you
are in the position of applying for your first post.
This Personal & Professional Development Folder has several functions:
It is a record of your progress through this programme of study
It aids in the linking of Social Work knowledge and National Occupational
Standards
It offers strategies to help you cope well with your course
It is a tool to help you consider your strengths and identify areas you would like to
improve
It provides information on a variety of approaches that may help you to develop
It provides you with resources to aid your personal and professional development
It is a place to store useful information you gather as you progress
It ensures you can measure your progress and demonstrate this to others
In brief the folder is split up in the following sections
Useful Information
To aid success on the course and a place to keep useful information
Life-long Learning
Use this toolkit to:
Obtain guidance about the skills you need for success;
Assess yourself using suggested materials;
Evidence of Course Progress for years 1, 2 & 3
Use this section to store Administration Pack and Portfolio academic assignment
feedback sheets, and a summary of your course progress.
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PROGRAMME OUTLINE
During the first few weeks of the programme several diagrams and charts illustrating
the way each module is organised will be distributed to you.
Week by Week Plan of Programme
You have been given these plans to help you organise your time whilst you are on
this course. It is important to note that the dates indicated on the programme plans
are not negotiable.
This plan demonstrates the dates of:
– University study time
– Practical placements
– Personal and Professional Development time
– Annual leave
Use it to manage yourself directed study time wisely there is
an expectation that you will study outside of taught sessions
Please store course plans and module timetables here
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ACADEMIC PROFESSIONAL AND PROCEDURAL PRE-REQUISITES FOR COMMENCING FIRST PLACEMENT
Occupational Health Clearance CRB Clearance Academic Module Placement Application Form (PAF)
Questionnaire prior to CRB form complete prior Module will be specified by Student attend launch session
commencing course and programme start course team consist of Review PAF with Personal
attendance at any O.H several elements ALL must Tutor, complete any requested
reviews or appointments be passed amendments to form.
HAND IN PAF BY DEADLINE
Occupational Non Clearance YES CRB No Pre Requisite Not met PAF handed in Not handed in or
Health Student must Panel met by Deadline late submission
clearance keep copy of of PAF
Received CRB
GSCC forms Not handed
given out & in or
completed Incorrect
induction Week information
„not handed
in‟
If form correctly
completed and
CRB Clearance
received – form
sent to GSCC
DPL TO DPL TO Refer to
ACTION GSCC Module coordinator to inform DPL ACTION Practice Sub
& continue Registration & when students meet pre-requisite & continue Program
with pre-PLO Number with pre-PLO Examination
checks checks Board
(PSPEB)
PLACEMENT START DATE DELAYED – UNTIL PRE-REQUISTES MET
PERSONAL IS FAILURE TO ENGAGE IN THESE PROCESSES AND Section 1 Page 3
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR TO CONTACT STUDENT IF THERE& PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOLDER TO INFORM DPL WHEN THE PRE-REQUISITES HAVE BEEN MET
The Role of the Department of Practice Learning
The Department of Practice Learning is a part of the Faculty of Health and has the
role of supporting education in practice. The key aim of the unit is to promote
communication between practice areas and the University. The Department of
Practice Learning has a website which provides a wealth of information about many
issues relating to practice. It can be accessed at:
www.health.bcu.ac.uk/dpl then select social work
Particular sections which may be of use to student Social Workers are:
General Placement Information
Newsletter
Senior Lecturers – Education Support (Social Work)
Agency Partners
The Department of Practice Learning has three departments these are:
1.Placement Allocation
The Allocation department allocates student Social Workers to professional
placements.
Social Work Students must apply for each individual placement by completing
a Placement Application Form (PAF) and submitting the form to DPL by the
set deadline.
Senior Lecturers – Education Support (Social Work) review the application
forms and the Allocations Officer distributes the final version of the form onto
the Placement Providers (Agency/Local Authority and Independent/Private
Sector placements).
Students are advised to discuss their application forms with their personal
tutors before submitting them to DPL for distribution
The Agency Partners (Birmingham, Sandwell and Dudley) and independent/voluntary
providers distribute the approved application forms to their work area within their
particular authority.
If the student‟s application form is successful he/she is invited to an initial interview
with the placement. Each student should prepare sufficiently for the interview as if it
were a job interview as there is much competition for practice placements from other
students and those students from other local Higher Education Institutes (HEI)‟s.
Students that are successful at interview should email their personal tutor and DPL
(healthsocialworkplacements@bcu.ac.uk) with the details of their placement.
If unsuccessful at interview students should inform DPL as soon as they are made
aware of the outcome and DPL will seek to source feedback if it has not been
provided and allocate the student to an alternative placement.
The organisation of Social Work Placements is a complex process and students will
receive weekly updates on the progress of their application and should not contact
allocations staff with requests for individual updates as this can delay
communications.
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Placement Support
The placement support team consisting of our Senior Lecturers – Education Support
Staff who assist in managing the practical assessment process. They offer advice
and support to students and assessors in practice areas.
The role includes:
– Advice regarding the practical assessment processes
– Advising students and assessors about elements of the practical assessment
process;
– Liaison with Agency/Independent placement providers about all practice issues
relating to student Social Work education;
– Monitoring students‟ attendance in practice and investigating absence from
placement;
Placement Quality
The quality team monitor the quality of the education experience of professional
practice the role includes:
– Auditing of professional placements.
– Liaising with Agency/Independent placement providers who will advise on
suitability of placements;
– Ensuring placements meet educational standards;
– Reviewing students evaluations of placements;
– Providing placements with feedback from students evaluations;
– Awarding good practice awards to placements and assessors of excellence;
– Referring and monitoring complaints made by students about placements or staff;
– Liaising with agencies external to the University who monitor and maintain
standards.
Students play a vital role in providing information about the experience they have in
practice by completing the online Student Evaluation of Placement form. If you wish
to nominate your assessor for an “Assessor of Excellence” award please complete
the nomination form in this Personal & Professional Development Folder.
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The Role of the Personal Tutor
All student Social Workers on this course are allocated a personal tutor. The role of
your personal tutor is to monitor your progress throughout the course and offer
support and guidance where it is required. Your personal tutor should make their
contact details available to you when you first meet them. You can access your
personal tutor via the routes set out below. It may be useful to complete the spaces
below so that you have a record in your Personal & Professional Development Folder
of how to contact them.
Name:
Telephone: 0121-331-
E-mail: first name.surname@bcu.ac.uk
Postal Address:
Department of
Birmingham City University
Westbourne Campus
Edgbaston
B15 3TN
Generally the student will be visited by their Personal Tutor however other
tutors may support the student in their place on occasions.
To be available to review and discuss the student application form for
placement prior to submission to DPL.
Assist you to link National Occupational Standards in Administration Pack
to the practice environment.
Help you to recognise opportunities to achieve the required care skills.
Clarify issues in relation to the assessment of knowledge and practice
Discuss any personal issues affecting performance and refer
appropriately for support.
To assist in developing you as a social worker
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The Role of the Senior Lecturers – Education Support
(Social Work)
Your personal tutor will work alongside the Senior Lecturers – Education Support
(Social Work). These are academic staff from Birmingham City University who
communicate, co-operate and collaborate with BCU‟s Agency Partners and
private/independent social care providers.
Students receive support and guidance whilst in University and Senior Lecturers –
Education Support (Social Work) Staff are the Faculty‟s primary means of continuing
this support and guidance for students in practical environments. The key functions
of their role are to:
Seek and develop new and existing professional placement opportunities
Maintain a two-way communication network between Faculty and placement
provider
Act as advisor to the placement administrative officer
Liaise with placement module co coordinators in the preparation of students and
practice assessors
Act as a point of contact for Placement staff regarding BCU business
Identify areas of educational need and provide appropriate support.
Inform, support and educate social care staff in their role as Practice assessors
and work based supervisors
Occasionally Visit students in lieu of the Personal if not available
During the placement the Senior Lecturers – Education Support (Social Work) will
also play a vital role in supporting and guiding both tutors and assessors.
You can find out more about individual Senior Lecturers – Education Support (Social
Work) by accessing the Department of Practice Learning Website at:
www.health.bcu.ac.uk/dpl
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The Role of the Training Co-ordinators within the Local
Authorities (Agency Partners)
Training Co-ordinators are employed by every Local Authority in the Birmingham,
Sandwell and Dudley area. The role of the Training Co-ordinator varies depending
on the Authority they are working for, but a key part of their role is to develop
placements so that practical assessors and student Social Workers feel supported
and know who to access for advice about issues relating to pre-registration Social
Work.
Training Co-ordinators work closely with the qualified Social Work staff that will be
assessing you during your practical placements. They have responsibility for the
following:
Preparing assessors for their role in assessing student Social Workers.
Assisting work areas in providing educational packages and material for
student Social Workers.
Gathering information about the number and type of assessors within their
Local Authority.
Monitoring and maintaining the quality of the placements that you are sent to.
Training Co-ordinators liaise closely with the Birmingham City University in
Birmingham, Faculty of Health. They provide:
Communication links between the Local Authority and Birmingham City
University
Advice on suitability of placements.
Practical suggestions on developing this Personal & Professional
Development Folder, Administration Pack and Portfolio by ensuring the
elements to be assessed have relevance to practice.
Advice on course content and how it relates to practice.
Monitoring of the quality of placements through evaluations and feedback,
and involvement with the Practice Sub-Programme Examination Boards
(PSPEB) and CRB Panels.
Training Co-ordinators are there to support you by offering:
Help to deal with any concerns you may have.
Information on good practice.
Support if you are failing in practice.
Information about learning opportunities available in the placement.
You can find out more about individual Agency Partners by accessing the
Department of Practice Learning Website at:
www.health.bcu.ac.uk/dp
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The Role of the Practical Assessor
To attend at least one briefing day provided by BCU prior to or during this placement.
Attend and contribute to the Learning Agreement meeting, and the Interim Review
and any action plan meetings.
To assess the student‟s ability to work directly with service users and carer‟ within the
context of the National Occupational Standards (NOS).
To support and provide a minimum 1 and a half hours per week structured
supervision of the student on placement. Practice Assessors/ Placement Supervisors
are required to keep their own minutes and records.
To verify the student attendance timesheet on a weekly basis. If sickness or absence
replacement days are required DPL must be notified.
Prior to the interim review
To review the appropriate number of accounts of work undertaken
To ensure that at least one Direct Observation of Practice is undertaken and a direct
observation report written that provides evidence in achieving some elements/units of the
NOS for Social Work
To complete the Summary of complete NOS at the interim date
Prior to the final day of the placement
To obtain anonymous feedback from service users/carers.
To sign after each key role to verify the statement of evidence provided by the student
To complete and sign the Summary of completed NOS at the end of Professional Placement
To complete the final Practice Assessor Report no later than the last day of the placement. If
unable to complete written confirmation should be email/sent to DPL & Tutor on / before the
last day of placement
To confirm the date of the last day of placement on the front sheet and Practice Assessor
report.
To PASS or REFER the student in relation to their practice at the end of the placement.
To complete the Placement Quality Questionnaire, www.health.bcu.ac.uk/dpl/socialwork.
In the event of a placement breakdown the Practice Assessor should complete a report that
includes a chronology, what went right with the placement, what went wrong with the
placement on a Discontinued / Unsuccessful placement form available from the DPL Website
www.health.bcu.ac.uk/dpl/socialwork.
This report must be submitted to Department of Practice Learning (Social Work) no
later than ten days after the termination of the placement this can also be submitted via
email to lizzy.preddy@bcu.ac.uk
Please note that the discontinued/unsuccessful placement form will provide the basis for the
discussion at the Practice Sub Program Examination Board. Therefore as much
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MONITORING THE PRACTICAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Whilst you are undertaking professional placements you will witness social work
practices of a high standard. The reason for this is that the Placement Quality
Manager at Birmingham City University and the Training Co-ordinators in each Local
Authority monitor and promote the quality of practical placements for students at this
University. We ask that you participate in this system in the following ways:
1. By completing an online placement evaluation form after each practical
placement
2. By nominating assessors of excellence
3. By telling us about practices that you have witnessed that give you cause for
concern. This is sometimes called whistle blowing in the media.
Student Evaluation of Placement
Following each practical placement you are required to complete an online
placement evaluation form. This is part of the continuous evaluation of practical
areas that the university undertakes and designed by the GSCC.
The form is designed to give you the opportunity to express your views and feelings
about the placement you have just attended. This enables the Department of
Practice Learning and Agency Partners to monitor the quality of practical placements.
The information from your completed form is added to the overall quality profile of the
placement.
Your evaluations will be fed back to placements regularly to help them review the
experience they are providing students with.
If there are comments on the evaluation forms that are of a serious nature you will be
contacted by letter and offered the opportunity to come and discuss this with the
Programme Quality Manager. From this you can be supported to write a formal
complaint or have further discussions arranged with the agency.
It is expected that the evaluation will be written in a professional and constructive
manner if you are not prepared to substantiate what is written it is very difficult to
pass this information on to the placement
Placement Quality Manager
Department of Practice Learning
Birmingham City University
Westbourne Campus
Edgbaston
B15 3TN
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What To Do If You Witness Sub-Standard Practice
On rare occasions student Social Workers witness practices that they feel are below
the standard expected of those involved in delivering social care, or behaviour
between staff that they feel is unprofessional. If you witness practices that give you
cause for concern you should report this as soon as possible to the person in charge
of the area you are working in or to the Training Co-ordinators for the Local Authority.
Alternatively you may wish to report it to the Placement Quality Manager in the
Department of Practice Learning at Birmingham City University who will refer the
issue on to the relevant practice area. This process of reporting substandard practice
is often called “whistle blowing.” All Local Authorities have a whistle blowing policy.
Both Birmingham City University and all care providers we work with are anxious to
reduce poor professional behaviour and practice and wish to encourage both their
own staff and students to report any concerns they may have. At Birmingham City
University we have a lot of expertise in supporting students in this regard, please ask
your personal tutor or DPL if you need help. Please do not be put off by intimidation
by individuals.
Whistle blowing policies are intended to cover serious public interest concerns such
as those listed below:-
Conduct which is an offence or breach of the law
Disclosures related to miscarriage of justice
Health and safety risks, including risks to Service Users/Visitors as well as other
members of staff
Damage to the environment
Sexual or physical abuse of Service Users, or other unethical conduct
Drug and alcohol abuse
Poor practice
Malpractice
Professional misconduct
Nepotism
You may use the whistle blowing policy if you think that any of the above are either
happening now, have happened or are likely to happen. You need to be aware that
your concerns may need to be passed on to other bodies such as the General Social
Care Council, the Police, Ofsted or the Quality Care Commission.
Where you are asked to attend meetings relating to the concern you may ask a
friend, colleague, personal tutor, member of staff from DPL or a Union representative
to accompany you provided that the person is not involved in the investigation.
In most cases you will be required to make a formal statement outlining your
concerns. The Department of Practice Learning and your personal tutor will offer you
guidance about how to go about writing this although they cannot write the statement
for you. DPL can help you to get your statement word processed if you are
experiencing difficulty getting this done.
NOTE: Please follow this procedure rather than using post placement evaluation
forms to highlight substandard practice, as these forms are designed to assess the
general learning environment, not specific problems requiring prompt investigation
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How To Write A Statement
Write notes as soon after the event as possible and use these to construct your
statement
Write in the first person singular
Use plain, clear language and avoid jargon and abbreviations
Use double line spacing
Be precise and concise
Use paragraphs
Organise your report chronologically
Include full details
Stick to the facts, do not give unfounded opinions
Only write what you have seen and not what you think may have happened
What To Include In A Statement
A brief statement of who you are and what your role is
Date, time and place of incident
Others who were involved – name and position
Background information (E.g. circumstances, environment, one off incident or a
series of incidents)
What you actually saw happen
What action you took
The outcomes that resulted
How you felt about what you witnessed
If information has come from a third party this must be made clear (e.g. “I was
informed by the GP, Dr Bloggs”)
Relevant local factors (e.g. why certain equipment was not available)
Date of your statement
Your signature
REMEMBER TO KEEP A COPY OF YOUR STATEMENT – You will forget details.
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Work-based Supervisor/ Practice Assessor of Excellence
Recommendation Form
As a way of recognising good practice within placements, the Department of Practice
Learning is encouraging students to highlight the Practice Assessors or Work-based
Supervisors who have given them excellent support and guidance whilst on
placement.
This is a new strategy and the intention is to ensure Practice Assessors/Work-based
Supervisors are aware that they are appreciated and valued, and to encourage
ongoing improvement in support.
The Department of Practice Learning is asking students to complete the attached
form when they feel they have received a high standard of support in any placement
area. If the recommendations of the student express in detail how an assessor has
provided quality assessment and guidance, which has enhanced their performance
and skills, the Department of Practice Learning will recognise this fact by letter with
both the Practice Assessor/Work-based Supervisor and their respective managers.
If an assessor receives three recommendations, the Department of Practice Learning
will recognise this fact with a letter to the chief of their respective organisation.
The criteria for recommendation follows standards set out by the GSCC (2002)
Please only recommend your assessor if you can answer YES to the relevant
questions attached to each standard.
Communication and Working Relationships
Did your assessor:
1. Communicate clearly with you at all times?
2. Actively promote a good working relationship with you and others?
Facilitation of Learning
Did your assessor:
1. Actively help you to identify suitable learning experiences?
2. Teach you about aspects of Social Work in a way that helped you learn?
Assessment
Did your assessor:
1. Review your progress with you in an ongoing process and complete formal
interviews as appropriate?
2. Give you constructive feedback on your performance and suggest ways in
which you could develop further?
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Role Modelling
Did your assessor:
1. Act as a positive role model?
2. Offer you sound rationale for their practice?
Creating an Environment for Learning
Did your assessor:
1. Ensure the placement provided you with an environment for learning?
2. Encourage you to link knowledge to practice?
Improving Practice Environment
Did your assessor:
1. Have a positive influence on the surrounding practice environment?
2. Ask you for feedback and suggestions on how to improve the practice
environment further?
Knowledge Base
Did your assessor:
1. Show a sound knowledge base of in all areas of the practice environment?
2. Impart this knowledge to others in a constructive and effective manner?
If you have answered yes to all of the above now explain how
your Practice Assessor or Work-based supervisor work
beyond all these standards to be considered excellent?
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