In this section, the practice teacher will summarise points made under the above Section, drawing out the strengths and weaknesses in the student's demonstration of competence. At interim stage, this section of the report will reflect on the student's progress towards meeting end of placement outcomes, and, at final stage, the practice teacher will be required to make a recommendation of pass / repeatable fail / non-repeatable fail on the placement.
The future learning needs of students will require to be commented on at the interim and final stage of both DP1 and DP2. It will be important to record at the end of DP1, the learning opportunities required for the DP2 placement, in order that an appropriate placement can be secured for DP2. The Rules and Requirements for the DipSW requires that student's "assessed practice learning should be contrasting, in order for students to understand and demonstrate transferability of knowledge, skills and values in practice. ......", in addition, "in recognition of the central importance of assessment, risk analysis and planning skills to competent social work, students are required to demonstrate that they have met the practice requirements of the core competence Assess and Plan in work with service users who have significantly different needs and circumstances." - Rules and Requirements for the DipSW, revised 1995, Part Three, 4.2.1 and 4.2.2. If the student, in DP1, has not been actively engaged in invoking the legal powers embodied in the role of the social worker as required in the practice requirement, "Work in Accordance with Statutory and Legal Requirements", this must be provided in DP2.
A brief section on supervision and its process in working with the students towards competence demonstration should be included.
The attached grids should be used as a working tool and these will provide a summary of the sources of evidence and as such it may be helpful to attach this to the report. Again they are in no way meant as a replacement for the written report.
Students should sign the practice teacher's reports as an indication that they have read them. The signature does not necessarily convey an agreement with the practice teacher's recommendation. If there is serious disagreement which cannot be ameliorated by negotiation, the student can make an additional written comment outlining the areas of disagreement and why. This should be attached to the practice teacher's report.
Practice Teachers should ensure that all identifying data in the report is deleted or disguised. (see Appendix 5).
In addition to the Consortium's requirements set for the practice teacher's report, it may be helpful for the practice teacher to discuss the specific requirements of the route with the tutor and student.
The Consortium Guidelines have been produced to enable monitoring of placements and standards of practice. By following the guidelines practice teachers and students will facilitate this process.
These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the section on Requirements for Qualification.
©West of Scotland Consortium for Education and Training in Social Work 2001.