1. Practice Education Doubling the Benefit
Donna O’Neill - Solihull
Anne Winn - Coventry

2. Context for Working Together
Joint partnership between Solihull and Coventry to deliver the Practice Education programme – memorandum of collaboration
Delivered by qualified workforce development professionals ‘in house’ – associate lecturers
Use Bournemouth University teaching materials as a basis for content – own creativity encouraged in developing learning activities
Course moderated through Bournemouth University – provides nationally recognised certificated qualification

3. Drivers for providing ‘in house’ accredited programme
Cost effectiveness
Self managed learning component, reduced time away from service delivery
More control over management of workforce
Closer relationship with frontline practice
More emphasis on key skills at an appropriate level
for experienced social work staff
Ability to change / amend programme to ensure it keeps abreast of current developments in practice
Part of the CPD pathway - attracts and helps to retain staff

4. Delivery Delivery alternates between the two Local Authorities
Working in partnership across authorities provides sustainability – fluctuation in take up of the course
Programme open across Childrens and Adults Services, reinforces a ‘social work’ profession agenda
2 programmes delivered each year (Feb and Sept) to coordinate with timing of placements provision
More control over level of content to suit level of experience of candidates

5. Quality Issues
Programme is responsive to the needs of learners, local issues, new knowledge
Good quality placements contribute to raising standards of social work education
Encourages debate / discussion in the broad context of social work education - cross fertilisation of ideas across authorities
Enables a more critical approach to the content - moving candidates knowledge forward through workshop participation
Integration of reflective thinking skills – developing a learning culture, increasing resilience of workers

6. Benefits across the Local Authorities 1
Profile of Practice Education is much higher within the Local Authorities
Staff ‘trust’ the programme
Candidates feel supported throughout their studies, in an environment that can feel isolating when busy
Enables staff to reconnect with core social work skills, which in turn can be re-energising and motivate them within the workplace
Group work and sharing of issues within workshops highlights strengths that experienced social workers bring to the role

7. Benefits across the Local Authorities 2
Assessment criteria is manageable as well as flexible - submission dates can be responsive to service delivery needs
Completion rates very good even when workload pressures on frontline staff are high
Quality of supervision is actively assessed – social work practice and supervisory skills sharpened – good reflective practice actively encouraged

8. Effects on Retention CPD – Investment in social work journey
Recognition of expertise - valuing existing social work staff
Reconnection with social work skills, values and knowledge
Development of Professionalism
A high proportion of candidates go on to secure management positions
Provides an academically assessed post qualifying course that is nationally recognised

9. Recruitment Nurturing of new talent
Encourage students to apply for vacancies
Visibly strengths the culture of continuous learning and development
‘Try before you buy’ – new worker already has an understanding of the work – we have knowledge of the new worker’s strengths and weaknesses
Employ students on unqualified social work contracts until they become qualified

10. Any Questions?