Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership

Practice Learning Opportunities

Information for Students

August 2016

CONTENTS PAGE

Who?

What?

How?

When?

What if?

Introduction 3

What is a Practice Learning Opportunity (PLO)? 5

Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) Requirements 5

Organising PLOs 6

Allocation of PLOs 6

Regional Allocation Individual Circumstances Caring Responsibilities Notification of PLO Requesting a review of PLO allocation. Travel Refusal of a PLO Offer

Conditions Applying to PLOs 12

Student responsibilities Conflict of interest Hours of work Declarations POCVA Check Pre –PLO visit Undertaking work of PLO – Travel Requirements NISCC Registration

NISCC Standards of Conduct for Social work Students 14 Using Social Networks

References 16

Frequently asked questions 17 Appendices 20

Notification of Refusal of PLO Offer

Introduction

This guidance has been developed to give you an overall picture of the

organisation of Practice Learning Opportunities (PLO) and your responsibilities as a student undertaking a professional social work course.

Please read the information carefully so that you fully understand the process and so that you can make maximum use of the practice learning experience.

Work based practice learning is an integral part of the Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work. Throughout your time on the Degree in Social Work Programme you will be required to undertake a total of 225 days of practice learning, of which:

25 days must be spent in preparation for direct work with service users

185 days must be in direct supervised practice; 85 days at level 2 and 100 days at level 3; and

15 days to be used for individual practice development. (NISCC: August 2010)

This guidance primarily relates to the two periods of direct supervised, assessed practice.

During these periods you will be required to meet the learning requirements as set out by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) and achieve competence in each of the six key roles and 20 social work standards. Appropriate staff will ensure that suitable learning opportunities are available to enable you to meet the requirements. These staff will also support you to achieve the level of confidence and competence required.

You will be assigned a Practice Teacher who has responsibility for assessing your learning and competence.

In circumstances where your Practice Teacher is not based at the practice learning site you will also be assigned an On-Site Facilitator /Supervisor who will provide you with support and guidance on an on-going basis.

We hope this guidance will help you to understand the process for allocating practice learning opportunities and answer many of the

questions you may have before PLO commences.

We wish you well in your studies and hope that you have successful and enjoyable practice learning experiences.

Evelyn MageeProfessional Officer Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership

What is a Practice Learning Opportunity (PLO)?

A practice learning opportunity (PLO) refers to the period of time a

student spends in a practice setting. The practice learning experience aims to provide you with the opportunities to develop understanding, knowledge, skills, values, ethics and professionalism in social work practice. In each PLO you are required to demonstrate progress commensurate with the level of the programme. Each PLO will also provide opportunities to develop anti-oppressive practice.

As an adult learner you have a responsibility to use the PLO to maximise learning and to use the support provided to promote your personal and professional development.

Northern Ireland Social Care Council Requirements

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), the regulatory body for social work/social care requires all students to spend 185 days in direct supervised practice.

Over the course of the Degree students should have opportunities to gain experience of:

Carrying out statutory social work tasks; At least two different settings; Providing services to at least two service user groups; Group care; Working with at least two other professions; The contested nature, scope and purpose of social work in a

diverse society; Participating in formal decision – making forums; Participating in and presenting evidence in courts or tribunals or

other formal hearings; and Applying community development approaches in social work.

(NISCC: August 2010)

The Northern Ireland Framework Specification for the Degree in Social Work (2014) details the six key roles and 20 social work standards in which you must demonstrate competence and confidence as a qualifying social worker.

As a social work student registered with NISCC you must also demonstrate that you are able to adhere to the NISCC Standards of Conduct for Social Work Students (2015) and the Practice Standards contained within the Northern Ireland Framework Specification (2014).

Course Providers including Further/Higher Education Institutions (F/HEIs) and employer organisations all share responsibility for supporting students to meet the NISCC requirements. You also have responsibility for your own learning, practice and professional development throughout the social work course.

Organising Practice Learning Opportunities

In Northern Ireland the five Health and Social Care Trusts, Voluntary Agencies, Department of Justice, (including Probation Board NI and Youth Justice Agency) and Education Authority NI provide PLOs across all settings and programmes of care. Northern Ireland has a tradition of providing high quality PLOs and while it is undoubtedly a challenge to meet the level of demand, course providers work in partnership to ensure that the number required is achieved. It must however be appreciated that due to a range of factors the preferences of students cannot always be accommodated.

There is close collaboration between Practice Learning Coordinators from those agencies providing PLOs and the University/College Coordinators.

Where it is deemed that a PLO can appropriately provide a student with learning opportunities to demonstrate competence and is appropriate to their stage of education and training, it is expected that the student will accept that PLO.

Allocation of PLOs.

Regional Allocation The Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership (NIDSWP) is responsible for the allocation of PLOs via the Practice Learning and Degree Delivery Committee (PLADD).

Practice Learning Opportunities are allocated through a regional process and allocation meetings take place twice a year:

- In May for allocation of PLOs commencing the following August. This relates primarily to Level 2 undergraduate route (UGR) students and all part-time route students

- In October for PLOs commencing the following January;This relates primarily to relevant graduate route (RGR) Level 2 and

all UGR and RGR level 3 students.

F/HEIs and Designated Practice Learning Providers (DPLPs) involved in the delivery of the Degree in Social Work are each represented on the regional allocations group by a practice learning coordinator.

Prior to allocations meetings you will be required to complete a student profile and if appropriate the section pertaining to individual circumstances. This must be done in consultation with your personal tutor. This will be used by the university/college practice learning coordinator to assist the allocations group to match students to PLOs. In making an application for consideration of individual circumstances you are consenting to your information being shared with the pre-allocations panel and with the practice learning provider offering the PLO. This is stated on the form and in signing it you are giving your consent. Students can be assured that information will only be shared in circumstances where they have given explicit permission and you will be consulted in terms of whom it will be shared with.

You need to state clearly on your profile whether or not you hold a full driving licence and have the use of a car, as the majority of PLOs require car drivers. You will also need to have business insurance cover. This should be checked with your insurance company in advance of the PLO allocations meeting.

Requests from students to be allocated to a specific PLO will not be accepted. Students must never approach an agency or an individual practice teacher personally or via third parties to request a PLO or to canvass a PLO. Such practice will be viewed as inappropriate and will be dealt with as a serious matter.

Individual Circumstances

The Allocations Group is chaired by a Trust Senior Manager. There is a clear protocol for the sequencing of allocations and clear criteria for the consideration of specific individual circumstances. Guidance on the criteria is available within the student profile form and any specific needs should be discussed with your personal tutor who will provide direction on the level of detail required. Students are encouraged to discuss their specific requirements at the earliest opportunity; ideally this should be at the beginning of the course.

Individual circumstances will only be considered in the allocations

process when a student has either:

(a) declared a disability/significant health condition as defined within the Disability Discrimination Act 1995

or

(b) Student is the main carer for: a disabled child/children or child/children with a serious health

condition(s); for a child/adult who has a terminal illness; for an adult who due to serious illness, disability, mental health

condition, or an addiction requires substantial care and support on a long term basis;

and makes a substantial contribution to caring, i.e. a minimum of 15 hours per week undertaking direct caring tasks. It is acknowledged however that students may have a disability/significant health condition at point of entry and others may acquire a disability/significant health condition after the programme has commenced. Other students may have variable health conditions and require supports at particular times during the course including the periods of work based practice learning (PLO).

Some students may be carers at point of entry and others may become carers during the course of the Degree programme.

A student has the right to not disclose a disability or that he/she is a main carer, however in such circumstances he/she must understand that it is probable that supports will not be substantially different to those for all students. Neither the academic institution nor DPLP can be accused of disability related discrimination if they do not know and could not be reasonably expected to know that an individual is disabled.

As already stated a student has the right to not disclose. PLO providers however have ‘a duty of care’ to ensure the safety and wellbeing of service users, carers and colleagues including students. It is therefore essential that all students are fully aware of their responsibilities in terms of professional practice. The NISCC Standards of Conduct for Social Work Students (2015:6) states that as a social work student you must be accountable for the quality of your work and take responsibility for maintaining and improving your knowledge and skills. This includes:

‘informing your employer or the appropriate authority in a timely manner about any personal difficulties that might affect your ability to do your job competently and safely.’

Registration with NISCC also requires individuals to make a declaration about their health. Non-disclosure where there might be a risk to the safety/welfare of service users, other staff or self could have serious implications.

Caring responsibilities other than those meeting individual circumstances criteria

Only students who have been accepted as having individual circumstances, in line with the criteria, may, if deemed necessary, have adjustments made to the working pattern of the PLO.

Organisations have ‘Family Friendly’ policies and may be prepared to accommodate a degree of flexibility. Students, as is the case with employees, do not have an automatic right to flexibility under ‘family friendly policies’. The needs of service users and the requirements of the agency are key factors when such requests are being considered. All students are also expected to meet the practice learning requirements in terms of the number of days of attendance and 37.5 hours per week (full-time students); 37.5 per fortnight (part-time students) work based practice learning.

The scheduling of allocations and subsequent notification of PLO is arranged in such a way as to provide opportunity for individuals to make arrangements appropriate to their circumstances in advance of the PLO commencing.

The advice is to begin planning early!

Notification of PLOs

Allocation of PLOs is determined by availability and with due regard to students’ learning needs. All PLOs are allocated to make the best use of the practice learning resources available to students. Students will be allocated to suitable PLOs throughout the course of the Degree in Social work and will be notified of these at the relevant time.

Students commencing PLO in August will normally be notified by the F/HEI in early June.

Students commencing PLO in January will normally be notified by the F/HEI in late November. Request for review of allocation of PLO Once the information about practice learning opportunities is available a request for a change of PLO will normally only be considered where a significant change in the student’s circumstances has arisen in the interim between the allocation meeting and notification of PLO, and it meets the specific criteria as defined in the guidance.

Any requests for a review of the PLO allocated which cite e.g. dissatisfaction with travel distance, type of setting or caring commitments which do not meet the criteria, will not be considered by the panel.

The request for a review of the PLO allocated must be made in writing to the F/HEI practice learning coordinator who will in turn submit it to the Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership Office (normally within 10 working days of notification of PLO). It must clearly state the reason(s) as to why a review of PLO is being requested. This must be accompanied by appropriate documentary evidence which verifies the change in circumstances and supports the request.

A Panel consisting of the Chair of the allocations group, the Professional Officer NIDSWP, F/HEI practice learning coordinators and two agency practice learning coordinators will meet to consider the request on the basis of the information supplied, . When a request for a review of allocation is received a panel is convened as soon as is practicable and the student is normally notified, in writing, of the outcome within 5 working days.

Where it is found that there are grounds to change a PLO an alternative PLO if available will be allocated as soon as is reasonably practicable. The PLO originally allocated will no longer be on offer. Availability is a key factor and there is no guarantee that an alternative PLO will be in the same setting, programme of care or geographical area, as the one previously allocated. In circumstances where an appropriate PLO is not available the student may have to take time out of their studies.

A request for a review of PLO allocation cannot normally be made after

the deadline (two weeks before commencement date of PLO). If a difficulty arises after the deadline the course director must support the request before it will be considered. Late requests to the Degree Partnership must be made via the university practice learning coordinator and supported by the course director.

Requests made to the Partnership via personal Tutors will not be accepted.

The Partnership will only review allocation of a PLO where there is a clear change in circumstances which meets the defined criteria.

It is the responsibility of personal tutors and/or the course director to deal with other PLO issues raised by students, including requests for reviews which would not be considered as falling within the defined individual circumstances.

Requests for a change of PLO will not normally be considered post commencement of PLO. Should unforeseen circumstances arise during PLO the Degree has systems in place to respond to these.

A change of PLO post commencement will only be considered under the ‘Protocol for Dealing with Factors Affecting Progression of Practice Learning’ (Revised June 2013).

TravelPractice Learning Opportunities cover a wide geographical area and travel is an explicit part of the Degree in Social Work Course.

You will therefore be expected to travel and you will need to be prepared to travel to your PLO destination.

Geographical location of PLOs is a key factor which impacts on the allocation process.

In circumstances where a student refuses an offer of a PLO on the basis of travel she/he will not be offered an alternative PLO for that designated period of Practice Learning.

Refusal of a Practice Learning Opportunity Offer

Where a student refuses the offer of a PLO for any reason he/she must complete the ‘Formal Notification of Refusal of PLO offer form’ (Appendix 1) clearly stating the reason(s). This must be verified by the course director and F/HEI coordinator and a copy forwarded to the NIDSWP office.

Note: An alternative PLO will not normally be offered for that designated period of Practice Learning. It should be noted that such circumstances may result in the student having a gap before his/her studies can resume.

Conditions applying to PLOs

Student Responsibilities

(i) Conflict of Interest.

Students must disclose at an early stage previous or current contact with any social work/social care agency, e.g. former/current service user, former /current employee/volunteer, any family member or close personal link to staff. It is important that you do not assume that it is unlikely that a conflict of interest will arise. You do not know where exactly you will be placed! Failure to disclose a potential conflict of interest may have implications for the allocation process, e.g. where a conflict of interest emerges when the student is notified of the PLO and an alternative is not readily available.

If in doubt seek guidance from your personal tutor.

(ii) Vaccinations

You will also be required to adhere to any requirements specified by the Designated Practice Learning Provider, (DPLP) offering the PLO. There are certain clinical practice learning settings (e.g. hospital, hospice) where it is standard practice for anyone working or undertaking practice learning to have health clearance .This includes those individuals who may have social contact with patients but are not providing direct patient care. DPLPs require confirmation that students going to such settings are fit to do so. The process involves the FHEI checking a student’s history, carrying out tests and administering vaccinations when necessary. This must be completed prior to the PLO commencing.

As of 2016 those students commencing the Degree in Social Work at Ulster University, Belfast Metropolitan College and South West College will be required to meet the costs associated with this process.

Students going to a clinical setting for PLO i.e. hospital or hospice, are required to have up-to date immunisations. Further information is available through the F/HEIs

(iii) Hours of work

Full time students are required to work 37.5 hours weekly, which is the standard working hours for most agencies. Part-time students are required to work 37.5 hours per fortnight. Some agencies may require work outside 9 - 5 office hours e.g. Young Persons Project may require evening work. Education welfare setting may require home visits after school hours.

Students located in residential and supported living settings will normally be required to work shifts which may include evenings, overnights and weekends.

(iv) Declarations

Students must declare any cautions, convictions or binding over whether or not ‘spent’ and any pending matter. Students must agree to disclosure of same to any agency offering a PLO so that the appropriate staff personnel can be informed.

Students must also disclose any significant sanction imposed by NISCC or a previous or current employer as a result of an investigation into their practice/conduct.

Students must also advise if they are being investigated under the HEI ‘Fitness to Practice Procedures’.

Students must advise the course director and their practice teacher in the event any caution, conviction, binding over or pending matter arises during the PLO period. It is a condition of registration that registrants notify NISCC of any change in their circumstances. Failure to do so may be treated as misconduct and could have very serious consequences.

(v) POCVA Checks

A criminal record check under the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (NI) Order 2003(POCVA) is completed for all students before they commence each PLO. These checks are completed by Access NI. Once the check is completed you will receive an enhanced disclosure certificate (EDC). It is essential that you keep your copy of the EDC as designated personnel within the organisation providing the PLO will want to view this document. Failure to produce this document before or on the first day of PLO may result in you not being allowed to commence the PLO.

Information contained within the EDC is treated with sensitivity and as confidential, with only a very limited number of people needing to know the details.

Practice learning providers reserve the right to withdraw the offer of a PLO.

(vi) Pre - PLO Visit

You are required to make contact with your allocated PLO and practice teacher as soon as possible after notification. You are expected to visit the PLO site prior to the commencement date. This allows you the opportunity to introduce yourself and to ask any pertinent questions. This visit also provides the opportunity to geographically locate the PLO, to meet the practice teacher and where appropriate the on-site facilitator.

(vii) Undertaking work of PLO – travel requirements

In order to undertake the work of the agency while on PLO students who are car drivers will need to have business cover which includes a statement that he/she is permitted to carry service users while undertaking the work of the agency. Some insurance companies make a charge for this but others do not.

Practice Learning Providers require proof of the following: A current valid full driving licence Certificate of insurance for the vehicle to be used Evidence that the insurance covers travel to and from and within

PLO Where applicable a current MOT certificate Vehicle registration details

(viii) NISCC Registration

It is your responsibility to ensure that you registered with NISCC as a social work student and that your registration is up-to–date. You must be registered in order to commence PLO. Any individual whose registration as a social work student is not current will not be allowed to commence PLO and this could result in having to take time out of the course.Students must also ensure that they maintain their NISCC registration by paying the annual renewal fee on a timely basis. Failure to do so could have serious consequences for the continued viability of the PLO.

NISCC Standards of Conduct for Social Work Students

In the interests of service users and as representatives of the social work profession, you are required at all times to adhere to the NISCC (2015) Standards of Conduct for Social Work Students.

Under code 5 of the Code you are required to ‘uphold public trust and confidence in social care services whether you are in work or outside of work’ - this includes the use of social networking sites.

Please refer to the NIDSWP Regional Practice Learning Handbook, for further guidance on the use of social networks as issued by NISCC.

Students should also refer to their FHEI’s policy on the use of social networks.

QUB:http://go.qub.ac.uk/socialmedia

UU/FEhttp://www.ulster.ac.uk/studenthandbook

References:

NIDSWP, 2013, “Protocol for Factors Affecting Practice Learning Progress”, Regional Practice Learning Handbook

NISCC, Revised 2010, Practice Learning Requirements for the Degree in Social Work

NISCC, September 2014, Northern Ireland Framework Specification for the Degree in Social Work

NISCC Standards of Conduct for Social Work Students (2015)

NISCC, Revised January 2012 - The Rules for the Approval of the Degree in Social Work

NISCC, March 2011 - NISCC (Registration) Rules

NISCC, Revised September 2011, Registration of Social Work Students on the Social Care Register, Information for Social Work Course Providers.

All the above publications are available on the NISCC website www.niscc.info

Frequently Asked Questions.

Q1. When will I be told the location of my PLO?

Students commencing PLO in August will normally be notified by the University/College in early June.

Students commencing PLO in January will normally be notified bythe University/College in late November .

Q2. When should I get in touch with my Practice Teacher?

Your Tutor will guide you but usually as soon as possible after notification of your PLO. It is your responsibility to arrange a pre-PLO visit.

If for some reason the Practice Teacher is unavailable you should make contact with the Team/Agency Manager or where appropriate the On Site Facilitator.

Q3. How do I get in touch?

You will be provided with contact details for your Practice Teacher and where relevant the On-Site Facilitator/Supervisor.

Q4. What kind of agency will I be placed in?

The main criterion for PLO is that it enables you to meet the key roles, social work standards and the required level of competence appropriate to the level of study.

Your PLO may be in one of the following settings:Residential , supported living, fieldwork team, day centre, training resource centre, family centre, young person’s project, education welfare service, hospital, hospice (this list is not exhaustive).These settings may be in the statutory or voluntary sectors.

You may be expected to work with one or more service user groups: older people, disabled people, people with learning disabilities, carers, children and families, people experiencing physical and /or mental ill-health, or offenders (this list is not exhaustive).

Q5. Will I get a variety of learning opportunities?

You will normally get the opportunity to work in two different settings, for example, residential and fieldwork and with two service user groups. It should be noted however that geographical location and the fact that many PLOs require use of a car does impact on the allocations process.

Q6. What support will I receive on PLO?

You will be allocated a Practice Teacher. If your Practice Teacher is off- site then an on- Site Facilitator/Supervisor will be identified, to provide you with support and guidance on an on-going basis. You will also have University/College recall days during PLO and you will continue to have contact with your personal Tutor.

Q7. Will I be able to undertake any paid employment during the PLO?

It is highly likely that for fulltime students the opportunity for part-time work will be restricted due to the demands of the course and PLO practice learning hours. The PLO demands 37.5 hours work based practice learning commitment per week. Engaging in excessive hours of paid employment is likely to jeopardise your learning and possibly the PLO. The course is your first priority and any work you do undertake must come second to the demands of PLO. You cannot request time–off or a different working pattern to facilitate paid employment.

In order to avoid a possible conflict of interest it is important that you disclose at an early stage any previous or current employment/contact with a social care/social work agency. Do not assume that it is unlikely that a conflict of interest will arise. You do not know where you may be placed!

Q8.What happens if I am unable to attend my PLO because of sickness or other reason?

If, for any reason you are unable to attend you must notify the PLO, your Practice Teacher and Tutor of any absence. It is essential that you notify the PLO immediately as it may be necessary for the manager to cancel appointments or make alternative arrangements.

You should adhere to the sickness and absenteeism policy of the

organisation in which you are placed. You are required to make up any PLO days lost through sickness or absence. In the event that you are absent for 10 days or more the PLO will normally become unviable.

It is important to remember that prospective employers ask about attendance when requesting a reference.

PLO requirements

It should be noted that normally students are required to complete the 85 or 100 days PLO within the designated practice learning timeframe.

Therefore if circumstances arise prior to PLO commencing which are likely to preclude the student from completing the designated period of practice learning then he/she should immediately advise their personal tutor and the practice learning coordinator. A student should not take up the offer of a PLO in the knowledge that he/she will not be able to complete the required number of days.

Q9. Can I take holidays during the practice learning period?

Students should not make holiday arrangements which would fall within PLO periods as such absences will not be accommodated. It would be a good idea to advise partners, family and friends so that they know not to organise surprise holidays to take place during these periods.

Q10. Is there a dress code for PLO?

You should raise this matter during the pre-PLO visit. Dress code will also be discussed at the initial practice learning planning meeting.

Notification of refusal of Practice Learning Opportunity (PLO) offer.

(Please print clearly in black ink).

I ……………………………………………………….University/College …………………………………. UGR ( ) RGR ( ) Level: ………………………………….. hereby formally advise the Degree in Social Work Partnership of my decision to refuse the following PLO offer:

Organisation………………………

Address ………………………….

Dates of PLO period ………………………………….

for the following reason (s) :……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..............................................……………………………………………………………………………

I have discussed this decision with my personal tutor and I have also notified the University/College Practice Learning Coordinator.

I understand that in circumstances of a refusal an alternative PLO will not normally be offered for the designated period of Practice Learning and that this may result in a gap before studies can be resumed. Student Signature …………………………… Date…………..Tutor Signature ……………………………… Date……….....Course Director Signature …………………... Date…………..