practice learning - introduction

The Scottish Social Services Learning Network aims to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of practice learning opportunities. Practice Learning is at the heart of developing a competent confident social service profession able to deal with a complex and changing world. This section provides links to resources.

introduction | our project work - practice learning qualifications (social services) | resources

Introduction

Practice learning is at the heart of developing a competent, confident social services workforce. Learning for practice is the foundation for promoting learning cultures in the workplace. Organisations need a learning culture which ensures staff have opportunities to continue to develop and consolidate their learning and contribute to the learning of others.

Practice Learning in the new degree plays a vital role in preparing students for this. The new honours degree in social work requires a minimum of 200 days practice learning of which at least 160 days must be spent in supervised direct practice. Students must also undergo assessed preparation for direct practice to make sure that they are safe to carry out practice learning in a service delivery setting. Students must have the practice learning they need to meet the Standards in Social Work Education (SiSWE). Students undertaking the new degree in social work must have access to a range of quality and diverse practice learning opportunities which equip them to work in the social service sector and enable them to work in and appreciate integrated and joint services. It is clear that a qualified and trained workforce with high quality practice learning opportunities will provide better social services.

Practice learning is everyone's business. Practice learning must be integral to workforce planning, recruitment and retention. It should not be of interest only to practice teachers or staff development departments within organisations. The Learning Network seeks to foster a whole organisational approach to practice learning across the sector.