This module is for qualified and registered social workers, normally with a minimum of two years’ post-qualifying experience. You will acquire the knowledge and skills to enable and support learning and assessment of social work students. The module meets the requirements of the nationally recognised Practice Educator Professional Standards, Stage 1.

Trainee Practice Educators in Group 1 will work with second year BA students doing their 70 day placement from October 2026 to March 2027. 

Trainee Practice Educators in Group 2 will work with first year MA students doing their 70 day placement from December 2026 to April 2027. 

The module is taught against the Practice Educator Professional Standards Domains A – C (BASW 2022). You will learn how to develop an effective learning environment for a student, providing a safe reflective learning space, drawing on adult learning theories and models of supervision. You will learn how to prepare and implement an induction programme and how to organise learning opportunities. You will learn how to manage a fair and transparent assessment of students on a placement, involving the student in the process of formative and summative assessment. Teaching will include a critical exploration of power and difference in the supervisory relationship, drawing on anti-oppressive theory. 

BASW England Practice Educator Professional Standards for social work (PEPS) 2022

All PEPS 1 trainees will be allocated a Practice Assessor for support and assessment, including direct observation of practice working with a student on placement. It is the responsibility of the employing agency to allocate a Practice Assessor, who must meet the PEPs requirements (BASW 2022). 

Learning Outcomes

Registered social workers will be recognised as Stage 1 Practice Educators, able to supervise and assess students on their first placement.

Assessment

The module is assessed through a portfolio and an essay which are submitted in May 2027 for Group 1 and July 2027 for Group 2.