Integrating relational knowing and structured learning in social work placements – a framework for learning in practice.

Professional placements are integral to social work education and provide formative but variable learning opportunities for students. As social work programs expand and requirements for placements increase, settings where a social worker may not be employed are increasingly utilized, risking further...

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Published in:Social Work Education Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 728 - 747
Main Authors: Cleak, Helen, O'Connor, Erna, Roulston, Audrey
Format: Article
Published: Taylor & Francis Ltd Aug2023
Subjects:
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Aug2023
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      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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        10.1080/02615479.2022.2075337
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        atl: Integrating relational knowing and structured learning in social work placements – a framework for learning in practice.
      aug:
        au:
          Cleak, Helen
          O'Connor, Erna
          Roulston, Audrey
        affil:
          School of Allied Health, Human Service and Sport, College of Science, Health & Engineering, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
          Social Work, School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
          Social Work, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland
      su:
        Ireland
        Social work education
        Social work students
        Young adults
        Higher education
        Fieldwork (Educational method)
        College placement services
        Thematic analysis
      sug:
        subj:
          Social work education
          Social work students
          Young adults
          Higher education
          Ireland
          Other Individual and Family Services
          Fieldwork (Educational method)
          College placement services
          Thematic analysis
      keyword:
        field education
        placement
        student supervision
        supervisry relationship
        field education
        placement
        student supervision
        supervisry relationship
      ab: Professional placements are integral to social work education and provide formative but variable learning opportunities for students. As social work programs expand and requirements for placements increase, settings where a social worker may not be employed are increasingly utilized, risking further variability of student experience. This paper reports on qualitative responses to two open-ended questions in a cross-sectional survey conducted with social work students from four universities on the island of Ireland. Questions included (1) what students found most helpful in assisting their learning, and (2) what would have improved their learning during placement. A six-step approach to thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from 427 responses to question one, and 355 responses to question two. Four key pillars of practice learning were identified: enabling relationship(s); 'real world' practice opportunities; structured teaching and learning; and academic-practice alignment. Drawing on these findings, the paper presents a framework for integrated learning which promotes students' capacity for active inquiry in practice. Linked processes of relational knowing and structured teaching and learning emerged as integral to knowledge acquisition and professional development on placement. Findings re-established the significance of the supervisory relationship and relationship-based learning.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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