London & South East Practice Learning Documentation For use by Degree in Social Work Programmes subscribing to the London & South East England HEI Agreed Common Practice Learning Documents for Social Work

Background 1 Agencies requested at London SWEN that HEIs developed shared documentation for placement learning in order to assist practice educators Common documentation will mean that practice educators do not have to deal with different requirements of different HEIs The London HEI group met regularly to develop some standardised products. These have now been finally agreed. Other sub-regional groups have expressed interest and some have joined

Background 2 The College of Social Work has developed a standardised Final Report format for both placements The HEA and the College of Social Work have produced Guidance on Assessing Practice using the Professional Capabilities Framework Agencies implementing ASYE programmes and practice educators are becoming familiar with ASYE documentation (particularly reports, direct observations and PDPS).

The Transition Principle We anticipated that agencies would welcome the development of documentation which also supports students transition to ASYE Practice educators also contribute as supervisors and assessors to ASYE. We aimed to produce documents for pre- registration practice placement learning and assessment which would harmonise with ASYE

Issues Arising from the Process Progressive holistic assessment against capabilities (PCF) is a new process. It takes time to leave Competences and the NOS behind and adapt to a new way of thinking!

Issues Arising from the Process Change Control: What happens if one HEI changes agreed documents? We know this has happened (and caused confusion) in other regions previously. HEIs joining the London and South East England process are asked to sign up to the change control process. Agency and Service user and carer representatives will be asked to join change control panels

London and South East Products Student Placement Profile Placement Learning Agreement Mid Way Report End of Placement Report Index of Evidence Used for Student Assessment Observation Template (inc less formal direct observation of day-to-day practice version) Personal/Professional Development Plan

PCF Challenges Developing student understanding of, and familiarity with the PCF – they will need to be able to translate their competence achievements to date all the way through the placement right from the pre-placement Profile Practice Educator understanding of, and familiarity with, PCF [and the concept of progressive holistic assessment] again from the get go. PCF Challenges

Training needed to ensure clarity of expectations and processes, along with consistency in application and assessment. Opportunities for joint training? (Practice educators, HEI tutors, students) Examples/exemplars needed to demonstrate possibilities and expectations (especially Holistic Assessment and Threshold levels). Support requirements for new processes and managing uncertainty. PCF Challenges

PCF Potential London HEIs already piloting the PCF have provided workshops for PEs and students – PCF well received Having a common framework across pre- and post-registration is already a winner, especially for those PEs who are already working with ASYEs

Common placement documentation Our employer partners in London and South East were delighted with our efforts so far. We hope this will mean all students will be able to access placements which will meet their needs. Our common documentation will have to be developed and improved as a result of implementation and change control. It feels good to have started on this journey!