Role of the Link Worker.

The Role of the Link Worker .

Link workers can be involved in DipSW placements where:

the designated practice teacher is at a distance from the student's placement base, and
the link worker is given responsibility for specific elements of the practice learning

In both these situations there are a range of roles and responsibilities which may be assigned to the link worker, but it is essential they are planned, prepared for and made explicit in the Working Agreement. From the viewpoint of the programme provider, it is the designated practice teacher who is responsible to the programme for the content, the process and the quality of the student's learning experience. Any delegation of aspects of that responsibility must be explicit in the Working Agreement which is shared with student and tutor. Normally, the day to day management of the student will be the responsibility of the link worker.

It is clear, however, that the designated practice teacher is responsible for the selection of and negotiations concerning a link context, but that he/she would expect support from training personnel in the agency and from networks related to the particular team or unit. The Consortium would also encourage more interchange between statutory and voluntary sectors within these arrangements.

Moreover, it is the designated practice teacher who holds responsibility for the pass/fail recommendation regarding the student's competence and, therefore, it will be essential to think through and be explicit about how the comments and evidence from the link worker will contribute to the assessment decision.

Some issues for consideration -

access to supervision notes/records, reflective diary, case recording, reports etc.
direct observations to be shared between practice teacher. The link supervisor can observe only one of the required three direct observations in assessed practice.
clarity about the placement teams expectation of each other and how communication and recording is to be done and by whom
planning of joint meetings and consideration of who should attend and for what purpose
clarity about who will procure the work for the student and who is responsible (in agency line management terms) and how the process will operate. Normally, line management responsibility for specific pieces of work is held by the link worker/unit in which the student is located. The designated practice teacher must have overall responsibility for the student's learning and work.