Open University (OU)

Our aim was to consider new opportunities for inter-professional learning within a range of existing and new service settings and explore the possibilities for a shared approach to the assessment of social work students in these placements. We have done this by placing one cohort (8) of Fast-track Direct Practice 1. (D.P.1.) Diploma in Social Work (Dip.S.W.) students in a range of placements provided by Quarriers.

This evaluation examines the processes involved in establishing the provision of a range of innovative opportunities for interprofessional learning. The report also evaluates the experience of students who have completed interprofessional practice placements on two demonstration projects. The pilot projects operated from October 2004 until March 2005 and the demonstration projects operated from February to June 2005.

Between November 2003 and July 2005, the Scottish Institute for Excellence in Social Work Education commissioned The Universities of Edinburgh, Dundee and The Robert Gordon University to undertake a study of Learning for Effective and Ethical Practice (LEEP), the main purpose of which was as follows: To improve radically the quality, quantity, range, relevance, inter-professionality and management of practice learning opportunities for the new social work honours degree.

Shared educational experiences between professionals is seen as one way of improving joint working once students qualify in their respective professions. The aim of this shared assessment project is to explore and document the ways in which professionals from disciplines other than social work can contribute to the performance assessment of social work students and conversely where they are less able to do so.

This report describes an audit of current, recent and planned arrangements for enhancing the contribution of service users, carers and employers in the learning and assessment of social work students in Scotland.