Social Work Education & Practice Placement in Cyprus Dr. C. Panayiotopoulos Mrs. D. Cochliou INTERCOLLEGE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMME

Outline Current situation Current situation Some problems Some problems Implications Implications SW Placement Levels SW Placement Levels Social care organisations used for SW placement Social care organisations used for SW placement Student Supervision Student Supervision Practice Supervisor’s Role Practice Supervisor’s Role Suggestions for improvement Suggestions for improvement

Current Situation Social Work Education & TrainingSocial Work Education & Training –Education was provided till 2001 solely from SW Departments in Greece –Since 2001 a new SW programme was developed which was covering educational needs in Cyprus for social workers –In 2005 a second programme is established, offered in two languages

Current Situation All programmes are based on the educational programme offered in Greece howeverAll programmes are based on the educational programme offered in Greece however –Social Work Education in Cyprus is offered only by private tertiary Educational Institutions

Some Problems Teaching staff was not full based in Cyprus so there were gaps in the educational provisionTeaching staff was not full based in Cyprus so there were gaps in the educational provision –Practitioners who hold a Masters are not being used in teaching due to the official guidelines… Supervision was mainly provided by other professionals due to the lack of social workers who work in NGO’sSupervision was mainly provided by other professionals due to the lack of social workers who work in NGO’s –This is an issue that needs attention as there is a law in force (since 2005) who allows only Social Workers with a undergraduate degree in SW to register as a Social Worker

Implications Students were receiving inadequate supervision in their practice placementStudents were receiving inadequate supervision in their practice placement There is not an official body that supervises student’s field work so there are many examples of bad practiceThere is not an official body that supervises student’s field work so there are many examples of bad practice A potential danger of having future professionals who have received inadequate training as far as their practicum concernsA potential danger of having future professionals who have received inadequate training as far as their practicum concerns

Implications Current social workers in non- governmental organisations have no previous experience in supervision (either to provide or receive)Current social workers in non- governmental organisations have no previous experience in supervision (either to provide or receive) In Social Welfare Services supervision is scarce due to increased workload…In Social Welfare Services supervision is scarce due to increased workload…

SW Placement Levels 1 ο Level = 4 ο Semester - 2 days per week1 ο Level = 4 ο Semester - 2 days per week –Understanding of key theoretical concepts which inform social work practice –Can produce a clear, concise & accurately presented written report 2 ο Level= 5 ο Semester - 3 days2 ο Level= 5 ο Semester - 3 days –Beginning ability to apply social work theories and methods –Demonstrates a beginning ability to analyse, evaluate & reflect on practice 3 ο Level = 6 ο Semester - 4 days3 ο Level = 6 ο Semester - 4 days –Ability to select, apply and sustain appropriate social work methods and demonstrate explicit use of same –Demonstrates an extended repertoire of skills integral to their practice

Social Care Organisations used for SW Placements Students are placed only in organisations which employ a qualified SW Examples: – Social Welfare Services – CYTA – Home for Mentally Retard Persons – Home for Elder People – The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics – KENTHEA – Local Authorities

Student Supervision Students should have weekly protected supervision of 1½ hours with their practice supervisor Supplemented by ongoing supervision as required with the university supervisor Supervision is viewed as a shared responsibility between the student & practice supervisor

Practice Supervisor’s Role To help the student make links between theory to practice To facilitate an understanding of the practice context & to consider how this knowledge impacts on their work with service users & carers  Help the student in supervision to revise relevant theory & link it to their practice & the placement setting. Make suggestions as to relevant reading material

Practice Supervisor’s Role  Delegate tasks, read & feedback on any work requested to achieve the learning standards  Give continuous feedback to the student on their progress & encourage reflection & analysis of their practice  Work closely with the University supervisor in identifying the learning needs of the student, assessing & monitoring

The truth behind the scenes… The support provided by practice supervisors is variable Usually are too busy to perform their role & complete all the tasks Lack of training on supervision Their workload is overwhelming because their agencies are usually running with less personnel There is not an established supervision system for professionals As a result students do not receive professional supervision

Suggestionsfor improvement Develop training sessions to educated social work practitioners how to provide supervision to students Develop an agency policy model on supervision for Cypriot social services Establish links of collaboration & networking with universities abroad for practice placement Support the local association of social workers to re-establish social worker’s role in the Cypriot welfare system

Thank you!!!

Social Work Education & Practice Placement in Cyprus Dr. C. Panayiotopoulos Mrs. D. Cochliou cy INTERCOLLEGE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMME