About project
Background
Following the successful completion of the Key Capabilities in Child Care and Protection (2006) developed by the University of Dundee Centre for Child Care and Protection and the Institute. The Child Care and Protection Training and Development Project is about to enter a new and exciting phase.
Aim of Phase 2
To track and enhance the process of embedding key capabilities across social work qualifying programmes by identifying and sharing innovative practice
What needs to be done?
The Centre for Child Care and Protection at the University of Dundee has again been commissioned by the Institute to:
- Track the first year of embedding of the KCs across social work programmes
- Identify examples of effective incorporation of KCs
- Identify examples of the development of assessment mechanisms
- Establish an iterative process of consultation and circulation of examples of practice
- Carry out a survey of views in relation to effective integration of KCs
How will this be achieved?
An action research model will be adopted, allowing the dual process of evaluation of and influence upon the process. It is envisaged that as new learning and practice examples are identified and developed in relation to the project aim, these will be made available to programmes and their wider partners.
Who will take this forward?
The project team will re-establish and maintain close links with HEIs, employers, practice teachers, service users and carers and students, engaging in cycles of consultation and feedback. The team will look widely at the process of embedding and consider issues of process, content and assessment.
Who are the project team?
University of Stirling
- Professor Brigid Daniel
University of Dundee
- Helen Whincup, Teaching Fellow.
- Margaret Bruce, Teaching Fellow.
IRISS
- Linda Walker, Institute Lead (Student and Practitioner Development)
- Stacey McDonald, Administrator.
What is the project timescale?
The project will run until June 2008.
How will the work progress?
SURVEYs: An initial online survey will help establish a baseline of current activity recognising that all social work programmes already have robust teaching and learning opportunities for students in relation to child care and protection. The spotlight that the KCs shine on this issue within programmes allows this to be more clearly articulated and specific assessment mechanisms provide clear evidence of learning. A final survey towards the end of the project will elicit views about how effective the embedding process has been.
WEBSITE: The Institute website will track the work of the project, providing a source of up to date information and clear examples of good practice as they become available.
WORKSHOPS: The project team will use the survey to inform their planning for a series of consultation workshops across Scotland later in the year.
COLLABORATION: The iterative nature of the project will also encourage collaboration with key stakeholders on an ongoing basis and a continual sharing of information to support the development and embedding of the KCs
FINAL OUTPUT: One of the final project outputs will include a grid which provides good practice examples of how KCs have been or could be embedded in social work programmes, including practice learning opportunities, mapped onto the KCs document. This grid will be introduced online at the start of phase 2 and be added to as the project progresses to allow maximum engagement with progress and development.
What is the role of the SSSC in relation to this project?
Through its activities as part of the inter-disciplinary reference group, the SSSC has engaged with and supported this project since its inception in 2004. The role of the SSSC will now be to engage with social work programme providers as they embed the KCs within programmes and to monitor that this is achieved across all levels of the Social Work degree by the beginning of the academic session 2007/8. Through their quality assurance and enhancement mechanisms they will work collaboratively with higher education institutions to achieve this. For further information about the SSSC role contact: brian.smith@sssc.uk.com
Consultative workshops will be held later in the year – dates to be identified soon, so watch this space.