Practice education in social work: A scoping review of existing research

Gregory, Mark, Cook, Laura, Butt, Tom and Shakespeare, Joanna (2025) Practice education in social work: A scoping review of existing research. Social Work Education. ISSN 0261-5479

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Practice learning is central to the pedagogy of social work education; it enables students to link theory and practice, and supports them to develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to enter the profession. In England, practice educators—experienced qualified social workers who have undertaken relevant training—are responsible for providing learning opportunities and assessing students’ practice learning. This article outlines a scoping review of research on practice education in the United Kingdom (UK). Thirty-seven empirical studies based in the UK were identified, covering four aspects of practice education: working with students, relationships and emotional labor, the practice education system, and the wider context of practice education. This review highlights that practice educators manage a complex array of relationships and demands placed upon them, whilst working at the interface of competing conceptions of social work. Research indicates there is often limited recognition and support for practice educators, and this lack of attention is reflected in relatively scant research on the experiences of practice educators and the skills required for the role. Greater recognition and support are needed to sustain the practice educator workforce, and more research is required to better understand the needs and experiences of practice educators.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: practice education,practice learning,scoping review,social work,social work education,education,social sciences (miscellaneous) ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3304
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Social Work
Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Psychology
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Child Protection & Family Support
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Research on Children and Families
Related URLs:
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 10 Jan 2025 00:59
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2025 12:09
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98131
DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2024.2448478

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item