Students must hold a relevant professional qualification (or equivalent) and have a minimum of two years post- qualifying experience by the time they start the unit. They will normally have completed the learning (but not necessarily the assessment) for the Enabling Work Based Learning unit* before undertaking this unit.

This unit will provide the opportunity for students to:

• Extend the skills, knowledge and attributes gained in the Enabling Work Based Learning unit with respect to managing, enabling and holistically assessing professional learning in work-based settings
• Develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to take a lead role in the practice education of a range of professional learners including those who are failing and marginal and those with additional or complex learning needs
• Demonstrate they have met the standards for practice educators specified by their appropriate professional body.

This course requires 100% attendance.

This course is for Social Workers only
Normally students may enter Level 6 (degree level) study if they have been awarded:

• An Advanced Diploma, HND, Dip HE or Foundation Degree (awarded by a UK HEI or Edexcel or SQA)
• An equivalent qualification (the learning outcome of which are demonstrably appropriate in terms of knowledge, understanding and skills) equivalent to 120 credits at Level 5.

If you do not meet this criteria you are still able to apply for this unit but we may ask you to complete a study skills handbook to familiarise yourself with academic writing at degree level. The study skills handbook will be sent to you when we have received your application form.

*If you have completed the Enabling Work Based Learning unit or the equivalent at another University you will need to upload proof of completion of this unit in the qualification section of your application form.

Applicants that already have a degree may wish to consider applying for this unit at Level 7 (Master’s level).

Fees and funding:

You will need to pay or indicate employer support of payment for unit or course fees to the university.

Applicants should contact their employing organisation for further details.

Pre-purchased places

The Faculty of Health & Social Sciences has contractual arrangements with NHS organisations, Local Authorities and the Pan-Dorset & Wiltshire Teaching Partnership for pre-paid places on specified modules. If you work within Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset or Hampshire and Isle of Wight you may be able to access the pre-paid places. These arrangements allow organisations to nominate the staff they wish to send on each unit or course.

The pre-arranged agreements allow individuals, such as yourself, a route to access appropriate professional development opportunities that are seen as strategically important to your organisation (in consultation with your Line Manager/Education Co-ordinator). All requests for pre-paid places must first be agreed by your organisation prior to completing an application.

The coursework comprises a portfolio containing two pieces of coursework

1. A reflective assignment (2,000 words). This assessment element contributes 100% of the mark for the unit.
2. A Practice Assessors Report (1,000 words) based on a minimum of two observations of practice and feedback from a learner. This assessment element is marked on a Pass/Fail basis

 Having completed this unit the student is expected to:

1. Take full responsibility for managing the learning and assessment of a qualifying student (or equivalent) in a work-based learning situation. Ensuring the provision of an effective learning / assessment environment whilst maintaining the quality of service delivery.

2. Apply appropriate skills, knowledge and attributes to facilitate the development of professional capability in others, using a range of strategies that encourage and support critically reflective practice.

3. Use professional judgement to make decisions about the holistic assessment of the professional capability of learners against agreed objectives and criteria including learners who are at the point of qualification.

4. Critically reflect upon aspects of their own professional development as a practice educator, showing how they integrate appropriate professional values with all aspects of teaching and assessment, using power appropriately and applying new learning to future practice. 

5. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant contemporary practice education issues, including evidence of a critical understanding of current theories, research, policies and legislation.