MA Practice Education

Summary 2012/13

• Enhance your theoretical knowledge and practical skills in practice education and education management;
• Undertake appropriate research and apply this to improve education and training opportunities relevant to your professional setting;
• Influence and promote change in your organisation and other professions.

Practice Education is the teaching, mentoring, supporting and assessing of social work students, social care staff, qualified social workers and other allied professionals for the purpose of developing competence and raising the quality of service for users and carers.

This programme will enable you to extend and develop your initial competence in supporting the professional learning of others. On successful completion you will be able to demonstrate a high level of capability and a critical in-depth knowledge of the subject area.

2012 Entry Requirements

You should normally have a degree-level professional qualification in social work or one of the caring professions, and be registered (or in the process of registering) with the GSCC as a social worker or an alternative professional body. A copy of your current registration will be checked by the University.

You must be involved in practice education or supervision of another while undertaking aspects of the programme. You should have initial competence in teaching and assessing the practice of professional students and mentoring/supporting students or colleagues, and be working or intending to take up employment in a setting that will enable you to demonstrate competence in practice education at the required level.

As part of the selection process, you will be required to submit a personal statement of 750 words, reference from your current / most recent line manager or equivalent and a written agency commitment to paying fees (where applicable).

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults'. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

Summary 2013/14

• Enhance your theoretical knowledge and practical skills in practice education and education management;
• Undertake appropriate research and apply this to improve education and training opportunities relevant to your professional setting;
• Influence and promote change in your organisation and other professions.

Practice Education is the teaching, mentoring, supporting and assessing of social work students, social care staff, qualified social workers and other allied professionals for the purpose of developing competence and raising the quality of service for users and carers.

This programme will enable you to extend and develop your initial competence in supporting the professional learning of others. On successful completion you will be able to demonstrate a high level of capability and a critical in-depth knowledge of the subject area.

2013 Entry Requirements

You should normally have a degree-level professional qualification in social work or one of the caring professions, and be registered (or in the process of registering) with the GSCC as a social worker or an alternative professional body. A copy of your current registration will be checked by the University.

You must be involved in practice education or supervision of another while undertaking aspects of the programme. You should have initial competence in teaching and assessing the practice of professional students and mentoring/supporting students or colleagues, and be working or intending to take up employment in a setting that will enable you to demonstrate competence in practice education at the required level.

As part of the selection process, you will be required to submit a personal statement of 750 words, reference from your current / most recent line manager or equivalent and a written agency commitment to paying fees (where applicable).

If you accept a formal offer from Edge Hill University you will be required to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of 'Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults'. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

Details

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for social workers and other related professionals in health and social care organisations, including those in the following roles:

• Practice educators of pre and post qualifying students in social work education;
• Freelance practice assessors, trainers and consultants;
• Learning and development staff in public sector organisations;
• Academics concerned with Practice Education;
• Mentors and coaches in social care organisations.

The course may also be of benefit to health mentors, community workers, criminal justice workers and learning enablers in private, voluntary and independent agencies within the health and social care sector.

What will I gain from this programme?

This course helps equip experienced, qualified social workers, as well as those with academic and professional 'mastery' of practice education. It will involve enabling, facilitating and practice assessing others, providing consultancy, demonstrating a high level of capability and presenting a critical in-depth knowledge of the subject area.

In addition you will learn comprehensive research skills and develop an ability to influence and promote change in your organisation and other professions.

How we will support you

We will offer teaching and learning support throughout the programme. You will have access to individual and group tutorials from a member of the programme team. Members of the programme team are all qualified and experienced social workers and educators. There is a named programme leader who will support your progression and provide academic advice to assist your personal development plan. In addition, each module leader will provide support regarding their module.

What will I study?

The first three 20 credit modules are delivered in year 1. These modules are linked to the management of work-based learning including the identification of learning needs, methods of assessment and the development of effective teaching and learning strategies. One of the key teaching and learning methods is via the use of supervision in the workplace and you will critically examine models of mentoring and supervision as you develop further skills in reflective practice and self evaluation.

Assessment and appraisal of learners against agreed criteria and a sound evidence base will be critical to participation in these three modules. This is because and they require you to be working with or have access to an appropriate practice based learning environment with responsibility for the practice education of a professional learner. You will be observed in practice by a suitably qualified educator and you will provide a portfolio of work, based on the practice education of a professional learner

Modules offered in year 2 build on the teaching and learning provided in year 1, extending the key theories of adult learning and teaching, particularly those relating to motivation and professional development. You will examine teaching and learning styles together with instructional design and learning materials development. Using this knowledge you will then learn how to use these skills and knowledge in creating high quality learning environments and develop the leadership skills required to support and promote education in practice.

Year 3 of the programme has its focus on research. Researching Practice Education will provide teaching in research design, methodology and planning, enabling you to produce a research project concerning to an aspect of practice education and deliver a related oral presentation. You will access teaching in project report writing, writing for publication and conference presentation skills.

How will I study?

The programme will be delivered through lead lectures, workshops, seminars, Action Learning Sets, group work and critical debates to provide a framework to underpin the development of critical thinking and sharing in the learning process. The approach will be 'flexible' / blended learning where face-to-face sessions are the predominant delivery method supported by the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The attendance is daytime.

Placement

Candidates on the course do not have a work placement. However to satisfy the requirements of the programmes candidates must be working with, or have access to, an appropriate practice-based learning environment with responsibility for the practice education of a professional learner.

Who will be teaching me?

The module leaders are qualified and experienced social workers. The programme leader holds a Social Work Practice Teaching Award and is involved in the education, training and assessment of practice educators.

The modules are delivered by departmental staff who will provide both the academic support and applied expertise that derives from their roles in research, knowledge transfer and continuous professional development in the area of social work and practice education.

Additional contributions will be made through visiting lecturers, service users and carers who have particular specialist expertise.

How will I be assessed?

The assessment strategy will focus on the synthesis and critical application of theory to practice in relation to your practice educator role. A variety of assessment strategies will be utilised to provide balance including essays, presentations, direct observations, reflective accounts, seminars, project work and a practice portfolio. You will be assessed to support your development and to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes.

What are my career prospects?

Successful completion of the course will offer you consolidation in your current job and access to specific practice educator roles (e.g. practice teaching, mentoring and supervision of Non-Qualified Social Workers (NQSW’s) and social care staff).

The programme will give you the necessary skills to progress into management and leadership roles in work-based and practice education and training, workforce development or professional academic roles. For social workers, it will also provide evidence of continuing professional development and support continuing re-registration with the General Social Care Council.

Professional Accreditation

The programme fits into the Social Work post-qualifying framework. This framework is defined and regulated by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).

The levels of award in the GSCC PQ (Practice Education) framework are:

• Level 7: Post Qualifying Award in Higher Specialist Social Work (Practice Education)
• Level 6: Post Qualifying Award in Advanced Social Work Practice

Both these awards are available to qualified social workers only.

Related Programmes

BA (Hons) Social Work

A Great Study Environment

Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment. Everything you could want is on one site with fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise and 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download the postgraduate application form (pdf) and view notes for guidance (pdf).

In most cases you will be selected and sponsored by your employing agency. However, you are welcome to apply even if you are not being sponsored provided that you are in a position to demonstrate competence in practice at the required level and are working with, or have access to, an appropriate practice-based learning environment with responsibility for the practice education of a professional learner.

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees for this programme are £560 per 20 credit module and £900 for the 60 credit dissertation for academic year 2012/13.

Edge Hill graduates joining an eligible postgraduate programme at the University in academic year 2012/13 could benefit from a 20% reduction in tuition fees. If you're a UK or EU student and will be paying the fees yourself, you might be eligible to receive this discount. See www.edgehill.ac.uk/reducedfees for more information.

Not got the entry requirements?

If you do not have a recognised social work or other social welfare professional qualification, you will need to provide an additional statement of 1,500 words with your application, showing how your experience makes you eligible for the programme. An interview will take place at the discretion of the programme leader.

AP(E)L may be used at the admission stage to credit participants possessing non standard qualifications or relevant work experience. In all cases you will be required to demonstrate the currency of previous awards that are offered for AP(E)L.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Lesley Littler, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 584631
• Email: lesley.littler@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

MPE4000 Learning and Teaching in the Workplace enables you to develop the skills and knowledge required to teach, mentor, support and assess social work students, social care staff, qualified social workers and other allied professionals for the purpose of developing competence and raising the quality of services for users and carers. The module provides the opportunity to demonstrate the competences specified by the General Social Care Council for practice education and the Practice Educator framework as part of the specialist award for Post-Qualifying Social Work Education.

MPE4001 Supervision and Mentoring is fundamental for all those engaged in the supervision and development of others. It focuses on the management and development of performance and resources underpinning performance. It considers these issues within the context of organisational priorities and personal development objectives. It addresses ways in which supervision and mentoring contribute to a culture of effective performance management, accountability and quality assurance.

MPE4002 Developing, Delivering and Assessing the Student within the Practice Curriculum. The practice curriculum is seen as a key starting point for planning work-based learning. This module considers the assessment of practice and its development within the organisation, in the context of both occupational and academic standards. You will consider how the role of assessment links to quality assurance, focusing on performance management, accountability and quality assurance.

MPE4003 Theory and Practice of Adult Learning and Teaching is designed to meet the needs of professionals who support, improve and manage adult learning in the workplace. The programme is concerned with the extensive and diverse field of adult learning and professional development. It will enable you to deepen your understanding of your own professional specialisms and expertise through reading, observation and critical reflection (alone and with peers) and to locate and contextualise your own particular practice within the field. You will engage with key concepts, theories and techniques to enhance and extend current professional skills and support their application to new contexts.

MPE4004 Developing the Learning Organisation explores the organisational culture and the role of learning and knowledge transfer as a process of personal, interprofessional team and organisational development. The module also covers the management of continuous professional development and learning for practice, embedding reflective practices and action enquiry in professional practice. The aim is to reflect organisational priorities, quality assurance, assessment of practice and knowledge transfer as a process of personal, interprofessional, team and organisational development.

MPE4005 Researching Practice Education offers a focus on the relationships between reflective, research-minded and evidence-based practice, and the development of research which extends the body of knowledge relating to practice. The role of research in social work has become increasingly important as a means of evaluating and improving social work practice. This module will explicitly address practice within particular professional areas and sectors.

MPE4006 Dissertation provides you with the opportunity to complete the Masters programme by undertaking independent research in a relevant area of your choice (subject to approval of the programme team). The Dissertation module encourages you to draw on and synthesise the skills and knowledge you have acquired on other modules in a way that demonstrates your effectiveness as an independent learner and researcher.