‘Why is this not social work?’ The contribution of ‘non-traditional’ placements in preparing social work students for practice

Scholar, HF; McCaughan, S; McLaughlin, H; Coleman, AR

Abstract

This article reports on the findings of two evaluations of a major charity's learning from providing ‘non-traditional’ social work placements with young people at risk of social exclusion. The article challenges the terminology of ‘non-traditional’ and ‘non-social work’ placements and examines the potential of these placements in the current social work curriculum and in the light of the recommendations of the Social Work Task Force and directions from the Social Work Reform Board. In particular, the article highlights the ability of such placements to help prepare students for their ‘statutory placement’ in relation to formal assessment, legal literacy, and risk awareness and safeguarding. Overall, it is argued that the time is ripe to champion the creative use of such placements for HEIs, delivery partners, social work students and, most importantly, for service users.

Citation

Scholar, H., McCaughan, S., McLaughlin, H., & Coleman, A. (2012). ‘Why is this not social work?’ The contribution of ‘non-traditional’ placements in preparing social work students for practice. Social Work Education, 31(7), 932-950. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2011.608123

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Jul 6, 2015
• Journal: Social Work Education
• Print ISSN: 0261-5479
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-1227
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 932-950
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2011.608123
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2011.608123
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cswe20#.VXrGaaI0XTo