PVI Student Placements

Gold or Dross?

Jo Tulloch, June 2011

The Context

Need to improve SW education / training

Increasing use of PVI placements – “vast range”

No research found on fit between SW training and PVI sector placements

The Issues

PVI agencies may have different:aimsprofessional approaches to their workunderstanding of the social work role &motivation for taking students

than statutory social work agencies.

Does this matter?

First, the problems

Motivation = labour & funds to meet capacity deficit

Limited awareness of SW role & placement requirements

Different approach to supervision Challenge to find student workload with

sufficient SW content Difficulty in managing struggling students

Then, the Value of PVI Placements

Innovative & creative ways of working

Supportive relationships with clients

Use theory-based counselling skills

Strong focus on valuing diversity

Group work & community analysis

Initiative & an open approach to problem-solving & risk

Flexible organisational structure & accountability

Commitment to individual clients & holistic practice

Research Pilot

Hypothesis: PVA placements have valuable pros for SW training & cons that need to be addressed

Aim: to confirm or disprove that these are widespread issues needing further research

Outcome: if hypothesis confirmed, pass on to academic team to follow through