Appendix 14
NORTHERN IRELAND DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK PARTNERSHIP
PROTOCOL
for
DEALING WITH FACTORS AFFECTING PROGRESSION OF PRACTICE LEARNING
Revised June 2013
Authors: Members of the Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership
Produced by:
Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership
Graham House, Knockbracken Health Care Park
Saintfield Road
Belfast
BT8 8BH
Tel No. 028 9056 6735
Contents Page
Glossary of terms 4
Introduction -Context of Practice Learning 5
Professional Requirements related to Practice Learning 7
Factors Impacting on progression of Practice Learning 8
Part One - Student and Practice Learning factors 11
Key Points 22
Part Two - Discontinuation of Practice Learning Opportunity 23
on the basis of Professional Practice and Conduct Factors
Further Practice Learning Opportunities 31
Student Withdrawal from PLO 32
Retrospective Practice Issues 33
GLOSSARY
PLOPractice Learning Opportunity
NISCCNorthern Ireland Social Care Council
DPLPDesignated Practice Learning Provider
F/HEI Further & Higher Education Institution
NINorthern Ireland
Student’s Training Team =student, practice teacher, tutor and where applicable on site facilitator/supervisor
Introduction
Context of Practice Learning
The Degree in Social Work was introduced in Northern Ireland in 2004 following approval of the University of Ulster (UU) and Queens University (QUB) courses by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC).
The NISCC Rules for the Approval of the Degree in Social Work (2003) set out the requirements which Universities must meet in order to gain approval to deliver the degree in social work. The rules include a requirement that all programmes have in place procedures for termination of training. This is in order to protect the interests of service users and carers as well as students’ interests, and to ensure that students deemed unsuitable to practice as social workers are prevented from being awarded a degree in social work. Similarly the interests of those providing work based practice learning experience should also be safeguarded.
Becoming a professional social worker requires more than the acquisition of knowledge and skills. In Northern Ireland students completing a professional course in social work must complete two periods of work based practice learning. Each student is assigned a practice teacher who assesses his/her practice in terms of competent and confident practice.
Level two undergraduate programme students complete 85 practice learning days between August and December. Level 2 relevant graduate route students complete 85 days between January and May. Both undergraduate and relevant graduate level three students complete 100 practice learning days between January and June. The periods of practice learning for part –time students will normally be from August to April for level two and August to late May for level 3 students.
Practice learning opportunities (PLO) are provided by a range of statutory, voluntary and independent agencies that are designated as practice learning providers (DPLP) by the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC). These opportunities are across a wide range of service user groups, e.g. older people, children and families, and a variety of work settings e.g. residential, day-care, hospital and community. They are also geographically located across Northern Ireland.
Practice Learning Opportunities are allocated through the Northern Ireland Degree in Social Work Partnership (NIDSWP).The NIDSWP was established under the Rules for the Approval of the Degree in Social Work (2003). It is an unincorporated association of education institutions and employing agencies – statutory and voluntary which builds on the long established collaborative working partnerships within qualifying social work education and training in Northern Ireland. The current Partnership membership includes the five Health and Social Care Trusts, QUB, UU/FHE, the Voluntary sector, the Probation Board for NI(PBNI),Youth Justice Agency for NI (YJANI) and Education Welfare.
Context of Protocol
This protocol is the outcome of an evolving process which initially began with the introduction of the degree in social work. It has been developed in agreement with all of the partnership member organisations. The protocol governs the management of individual practice learning opportunities where difficulties arise and may result in withdrawal from or termination of the PLO.
In addition the Higher Education Institutions’ (HEIs) separate fitness for practice procedures may result in a student being withdrawn from the degree in social work course.
The NISCC at any stage may review a student’s registration as a social work student/social care worker and apply sanctions to the individual’s registration.
This protocol is separate from the procedures in place within NISCC and the HEIs but there is a clear requirement for these separate processes to be considered for each individual situation.
The overarching aim of this protocol is to promote consistency in approach across the region, for the myriad of people involved in the delivery of practice learning opportunities.
The purpose of the protocol is also:
- To protect and safeguard the rights and welfare of service
users
- To protect students and the organisation providing the
PLO
- To promote equity , transparency and clear lines of
communication
- To promote standardisation and consistency in approach
- To provide support and direction to practice teachers,
tutors and others involved in the provision of practice
learning
- To assist in clarifying the most appropriate procedures to
be used in dealing with practice learning issues. These
could include HEI fitness to practice procedures and/or
NISCC conduct procedures
Professional Requirements related to Practice Learning
The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) Practice Learning Requirements for the Degree in Social Work (Revised 2010) state that
‘Practice Learning must promote student learning while safeguarding the rights of service users’.
Course Providers (F/HEIs and Employer Partners) have a duty to ensure that no member of the public is adversely affected as a consequence of participating in the education of social work students.
In the interest of public safety and as representatives of the social work profession students are required at all times to adhere to the NISCC Standards of Conduct for Social Work Students(2014).
Students are also expected to adhere to the protocols and guidance, issued by the F/HEIs and NIDSWP, which pertain to attendance, conduct and behaviour while completing a PLO. These will be monitored closely throughout the programme.
Factors impacting on progression of Practice Learning
There exists a range of factors that may impinge on the progress of a student’s practice learning. Some of these may impede the student’s professional development whilst others may affect the student’s continued involvement in the degree in social work course.
This protocol aims to provide direction as to the process to be followed when dealing with one or more factors impacting on the progression of practice learning. The protocol does not aim to cover every eventuality however its underpinning principles should be followed in every situation where there are issues.
These include situations where:
- There are significant factors beyond the student’s control, e.g. serious illness, a significant change in personal circumstances
- Learning opportunities do not evolve as originally planned despite every effort being made by the provider agency
- Issues of conflict affect the ability of individuals within the student’s training team to work effectively together
- A student’s behaviour/practice/conduct is deemed to be damaging or dangerous to service users and /or carers or gives serious cause for concern.
In all such situations the following key principles should underpin the decision–making process:
- Issues/concerns should be identified at the earliest possible
stage
- Open and honest discussion
- Establishment of clear lines of communication
- Transparency
- Involvement of all members of the student’s training team and where appropriate other academic and/or PLO provider staff
- Adherence to good practice guidelines in relation to information sharing and confidentiality
- Support for each member of the training team including the student
- Designated Practice Learning Providers reserve the right to discontinue a PLO where due process has been followed
The protocol is divided into two parts:
Part One: Student and Practice Learning Factors
Part One outlines the process to be followed where the nature of the circumstances are such that they are impacting on the progression of the PLO. In certain situations a student may request or be required to withdraw from practice learning due to the impact of specific factors on his/her continued capacity to fully engage in the PLO and the learning process.
Part Two: Discontinuation of Practice Learning Opportunity on the basis of professional practice and conduct factors.
Part two outlines the process to be followed where there are serious concerns about a student’s professional practice, behaviour or conduct while undertaking the PLO.
Alternative mechanisms such as leave of absence exist within F/HEIs to address other factors which may arise during the course of the programme.
PART ONE
STUDENT AND PRACTICE LEARNING FACTORS
Part One
Student and Practice Learning Factors
Introduction
This section addresses the following circumstances:
- Serious health issues or a significant change in personal
circumstances
- Unacceptable risk to the student
- Practice learning opportunities do not evolve as
planned
- Extreme difficulties in practice teacher/onsite supervisor
and student relationship
What if a student is experiencing a serious health issue or a significant change in personal circumstances?
It is the student’s responsibility to confirm that he/she is fit to undertake the PLO.
The required number of practice days is 85 at Level 2 and 100 at Level 3 (NISCC: Revised August 2010 ‘Practice Learning Requirements for the Degree in Social Work’). There is a requirement for full attendance on PLO and clear guidance exists within the Regional Practice Learning Handbook on course requirements and management of absences.
There may be circumstances where it appears that the health or personal circumstances of the student may prevent him/her from:
- completing the required number of practice days within the
prescribed timescales and/or
- undertaking and completing tasks necessary to attaining the
level of competence required to pass PLO
In these circumstances the student’s training team will need to meet to consider the individual circumstances of the student in arriving at a recommendation as to whether a PLO can continue or not.
Support for students with disabilities
Students undertaking social work education and training are entitled to support by HEIs in relation to any declared illness or disability. When commencing the course and where appropriate a student may be assessed by university/college disability services which allows for identification and delivery of appropriate supports while undertaking the university delivered part of the degree programme.
Some students may have a disability at point of entry to the programme others may acquire or be diagnosed with a disability after the programme has started. Other students may have variable conditions and require supports at particular times during the degree course, including periods of work based practice learning (PLO).
The process of identifying appropriate supports relies on disclosure by students. Disclosure or diagnosis of a condition may occur at any point during the course including PLO, but the timing of this may influence the level and/or quality of support that can be provided.
Whilst students are encouraged to disclose any disabilities a student has the right not to disclose their disability. However in such circumstances he/she must understand that it is probable that support/ reasonable adjustments will not be set up. Neither the academic institution nor PLO provider 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.
Practice learning providers also provide on-going support to students throughout periods of practice learning. Support requirements in relation to work based practice learning can however be very different to those in the educational setting. Students should discuss their needs with their personal tutor when completing the profile for practice learning. Discussions involving the student, the practice teacher, tutor and appropriate others at an early stage can avoid misunderstandings and issues arising during the PLO.
Adequate forward planning and in depth discussion are necessary to ensure that there is clear understanding of the work activity of the PLO and that a student’s specific support requirements are met. (See NIDSWP ‘Supporting disabled social work students undertaking practice learning opportunities’ Guidance, June 2012).
Duty of Care of Designated Practice Learning Providers
PLO providers 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 (2001; 6) Code of Practice for Social Care Workers states that as a social care worker 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 about any personal difficulties that might affect your ability to do your job competently and safely.’ (6.3)
Registration with NISCC ( also requires individuals to make a declaration about their health. Non-disclosure in any circumstances and in particular where there might be a risk to the safety /welfare of service users, other staff or self could have serious implications.
Health /change in personal circumstances
When serious health issues or a significant change in personal circumstances arise during PLO, either the PLO provider, the HEI or the student may feel that the student, staff and/or service users are placed at unacceptable risk. Examples would include serious mental health issues where the individual lacks insight, substance misuse, traumatic experience, a serious illness is diagnosed or a student’s health condition deteriorates significantly.
In such circumstances the organisation may seek advice or an assessment of risk may be sought from appropriate sources (e.g. occupational health, health and safety personnel, general practitioner or specialist medical opinion) to assist with the decision - making process. The student may also seek an independent medical opinion and /or risk assessment. Ultimately the DPLP makes the final decision taking into account all assessments.
On-going viability of PLO
Lengthy interruptions in a PLO are not in the best interests of service users or students. In circumstances where absence from PLO extends beyond 10 days its continuation normally becomes unviable.
In such circumstances a student’s training team will meet to discuss the viability of the PLO and ‘duty of care’ to service users/carers, the student and others and the decision may be taken to discontinue the PLO.
Students should be aware that any decision to end a PLO due to these circumstances may result in their having a gap before their studies can continue.
The course director, practice learning co-ordinators (provider organisation and academic) should be advised of any outcome in a timely fashion by their representatives in the student’s training team. They can then advise onwards as appropriate and in line with data protection principles. In the case of any student who is also a regional trainee, relevant others within the employer organisation including the line manager should be informed, by the F/HEI, of the decision reached.
Depending on the nature of the circumstances leading to the discontinuation of the PLO course providers may require a student to submit written evidence such as a medical certificate indicating fitness to continue degree in social work training. In certain exceptional circumstances a student may not be able to complete the degree because of enduring ill–health.
Where a student has been absent from the programme for a significant period of time it is the F/HEI’s responsibility to ensure that he/she is adequately prepared to return to social work training and to commence a PLO. A PLO provider reserves the right to request information as to how a student has prepared for re-entering the programme prior to confirmation of the PLO.
Prior to allocation of a further PLO the F/HEI should complete a review of the student’s situation to ensure that he/she is occupationally ‘fit’ and ‘ready’ to commence another PLO.
Implications – Registrant Requirements to report to NISCC.
As a registrant:
‘Students must inform NISCC of any changes in their circumstances ( This includes any temporary withdrawals, permanent withdrawals, or leave of absence from the course.’(NISCC: Revised 2009). Registration with NISCC also requires individuals to make a declaration about their health.
Withholding information where there might be a risk to the safety /welfare of service users, other staff or self, could become a conduct issue. Where such issues emerge during the course of a PLO the DPLP should inform the F/HEI and NISSC.
F/HEIs must also immediately inform NISCC of any student who withdraws temporarily or permanently.
What about a situation where the student is subject to unacceptable risk?
This could include:
- The threat of violence to the student or their family or
- Due to former employment, activity or personal circumstances there is potential risk to student, other staff or service users
In the above situations the risks as well as associated actions should, if possible, be identified, assessed and agreed by the student’s training team. However sometimes there may be differences in how individuals perceive both the risks and the impact of them on the PLO. A record of the risks and the views of the parties involved should be fully documented. Where a decision is taken to proceed with the PLO then any residual risk should be closely monitored and regularly reviewed by the student’s training team. Details of how this will be carried out, by whom and when, should form part of the documentation.
The decision to discontinue a PLO on the basis of the documented risks should be made by the PLO provider in consultation with the student’s training team. In the case of those students who are also regional trainees, relevant others within the employing agency including the line manager should be informed by the F/HEI.