Levels in practice: Benchmarking the Standards in Social Work Education against the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework JSWEC 2010 Alison Harold – Education and Workforce Development Adviser Mary Coles – Social Work Education Consultant

Why the project was commissioned To drive and implement the SCQF to support the development of the social services workforce Research shows inconsistencies in the application of the SiSWE To clarify expectations of student learning and assessment during practice learning opportunities and as they progress through the Degree in Social Work

Objectives Develop case study materials based on the Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE) Benchmark the materials against the SCQF at levels 9 and 10 Test the materials and benchmark in practice Obtain feedback from stakeholders about the usefulness of this approach

SiSWE Standards Six Key Roles that frame the SiSWE: Prepare for and work with individuals, families, carers, groups and communities to assess their needs and circumstances Plan, carry out, review and evaluate social work practice with individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, and other professionals Assess and manage risk to individuals, families, carers, groups, communities, self and colleagues Demonstrate professional competence in social work practice Manage and be accountable, with supervision and support, for their social work practice within their organisation Support individuals to represent and manage their needs, views and circumstances

Language to assess applied knowledge in practice - approach Review 2 Key reports from which project grew Review relevant materials from programmes and Scottish organisation of Practice Teachers (ScOPT Toolkit 2008) Explore how and where SiSWE and SCQF Level Descriptors 9/10 connect or align

Developing a model to integrate and illuminate standards/levels 1 Select one learning focus from each key role and consider the kinds of work, tasks activities which could evidence the practice across a range of contexts Introductory – what is the Learning Focus about?

Developing the Model 2 Explore current and potential use of SCQF Level Descriptors in assessing student practice learning within Degree programmes Setting the Levels into the SCQF context and relating them to practice scenarios Using the SCQF to assess student practice learning

Developing the model 3 Devising Case Material relevant to the Learning Focus selected and Level 9/10 practice experience Distinguishing the key elements of the practice in diagrammatic form – Knowledge and understanding; skills; personal and professional values; social work processes Knowledge, Skills, Values and Processes

Key Role 1

Developing the model 4 Developing and levelling examples of learning and assessment activities drawing on the Case Material for each of the Levels 9/10. These support and provide indicators and options for those involved in practice learning – students, link-workers, workplace supervisors, practice teachers (assessors) and programme tutors/coordinators These examples of learning and assessment activities draw out the distinction between Level 9 or Level 10 practice within the materials.

Developing the model 5 Devise and develop tables of practice indicators for each Learning Focus at each of the SCQF Levels drawn from the Case Material Integrated into these is the language of the SCQF Level Descriptors in bold type Practice Indicators for Learning Focus 1.3 at SCQF Level 10

More of the How? Project workers sent draft case materials to an identified group of critical friends and sought feedback which was incorporated before moving into > Stage 2 – consideration and discussion of draft materials with a broad range of stakeholders using several methods > Report to advisors and revisions and amendments to materials before >

And More Stage 3 – piloting the materials with a small number of practice learning opportunities – across the degree programmes – across the Levels – a range of practice settings – practice teachers and link workers across a range of experience. Stage 4 – drawing together all the feedback, making further changes to materials and setting out options for dissemination and a range of uses of the Materials and the model developed.

Dissemination HEIs delivering Degree in Social Work Practice teaching programmes Practice teachers in agencies Embed in programme development and planning Build assessment strategies around case examples of learning foci SSSC Workforce Solutions Portal Websites Newsletters Event with Practice Learning Coordinators Support RPL with practice examples