| Code | ADFPS |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 academic year |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info. |
| Qualifications | PG Dip |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| NFQ Award Title | Major |
| Fees | Managed by the School of Applied Social Studies See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | TBC |
| Next Intake | TBC |
| Venue | UCC Campus |
| Start Date | TBC |
Course Outline
The Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work) was set up in 2001 as a one-year Postgraduate Diploma award and it represents a very important programme in terms of the School’s mission of creating and sustaining community outreach and partnerships within the context of on-going professional development and CPD. The programme provides social work practitioners with an important opportunity to engage part-time in a major level 9 post qualifying social work program in Practice Teaching and Professional Supervision. Specifically, the programme is designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to become competent Social Work Supervisors and Practice Teachers. With the establishment of CORU in 2005, the statutory regulatory body for social work, and the setting up of the social work Registration Board in 2010 we are in an age where participating in CPD and flexible post-qualifying social work education is gathering momentum. This program responds to an identified need for the provision of more flexible dedicated post-qualifying training and professional development opportunities for social workers.
In 2014 The option to progress to year 2 of the MA was developed. The introduction of the MA represents an innovative and timely option for graduates of the of the Postgraduate Diploma to extend their Postgraduate Award and to further advance their academic qualifications. The MA provides an opportunity to participants to engage in research in the areas of practice teaching and supervision. Participants interested in applying for the MA should indicate their preference to do so to the Programme Director prior to completion of the second semester.
The Postgraduate Diploma programme is designed for individuals who are employed as social workers and who wish to study part-time. It requires participants to incorporate their working experience into the learning process by agreeing to take a student on placement during their attendance on the programme. The reflective design, delivery and assessment of the course will ensure that participants can simultaneously develop their competencies academically and experientially.
The aim of the Postgraduate Diploma programme is to prepare relatively new and experienced social workers for the task of practice and teaching and supervision of social work students.
The Postgraduate Diploma offers a balance of structural theoretical inputs with experiential models of learning, self-directed learning and library study. A blended approach to teaching is adopted with face to face and online learning opportunities provided, as required. The programme involves on the job supervision of a professional social work student placement (MSW/BSW). Participants must be able to demonstrate through their supervision and practice teaching and in their completed portfolio and dissertation, good knowledge, skill proficiency, application of professional values, good self-awareness and a capacity to be critically reflective.
Learning Outcomes for the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work)
- Explore on-going policy and practice influences on student’s supervision and practice teaching practices.
- Critically appraise different work-based learning strategies and opportunities to meet identified learning needs
- Critically appraise research, policies and developments with respect to practice teaching and supervision
- Engage in a process of reflection on the on-going influences on their own practice so that practice teachers can help their students to become conscious of their values, knowledge and skills as well as the requirements and constraints of societal and agency environments.
- Practise in the delivery of quality service for individuals and families across a variety of contexts with greater insights into the research-based, ethical, and professional underpinnings of Social Work practice, practice teaching and supervision in Ireland
Additional Teaching Mode Information
- Students who opt to exit the programme after Year 1 will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work) upon successful completion and passing modules to the value of 60 credits.
- A student who wishes to continue progression to MA may apply to the Programme Director to complete the programme within 5 academic years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examinations, subject to the programme being available.
Note: Recognition of prior learning: Applicants who already have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work) from 2001 (60 credits) will be granted exemptions for these modules in the MA and may proceed directly to the 30-credit research module in Part II.
Postgraduate Diploma:
The programme runs 2 Fridays per month from October to April with 2 workshops on 2 consecutive days (Thursday and Friday) in September and May. The programme adopts a blended approach to teaching and learning; lectures, group and individual tutorials, peer group meetings, online learning and self-directed study.
Course Practicalities
Assessment
The completed portfolio forms the basis of the final assessment on the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work). A number of designated assignments are included in the Portfolio. Participants will also provide evidence that they have successfully supervised a social work student to placement completion.
Who teaches this course
Staff from School of Applied Social Studies and invited speakers.
Why Choose This Course
The Postgraduate Diploma is one of only two programmes in Ireland offering a recognised qualification to social workers in practice teaching. It offers social work professionals a unique opportunity to up skill and upgrade their professional and academic qualifications on a flexible part time study basis. This programme is a major Level 9 post qualifying programme for social work professionals. Successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma permits graduates to apply for entry onto the MA.
Requirements
- Registered or eligible for registration with CORU. 2yrs post qualifying experience. Written Permission of employing agency; Agreement to take a student on placement; Have supervised at least one professional social work student. Course participants represent a wide range of social work practice contexts. Statutory and community/voluntary agencies are all included.
- To progress to MA in year 2 participants must have successfully completed Year 1 or been awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision [Social Work].
- Students are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work) upon successful completion and passing modules to the value of 60 credits. A student who subsequently wishes to continue progression to year 2 of the MA must complete the programme within 5 academic years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examinations, subject to the programme being available. Graduates who completed the Postgraduate Diploma prior to the 5-year cut off rule may apply to the Course Director to be considered for entry onto the MA.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate Diploma: Practice Teacher placement fee is not paid. Course Costs are met by the School of Applied Social Studies.
Students who are registered on this programme are eligible to apply for the Financial Aid Fund for Part Time Students. Eligibility criteria applies. For more information see https://www.ucc.ie/en/finaidpt.
How To Apply
- The course will go ahead in September 2020 subject to sufficient resources and level of interest.
- Past graduates awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision (Social Work) who graduated within the last five years are eligible to apply for progression to the MA. Applications for progression to the MA may also be considered from graduates outside of the five-year rule. Such applicants should contact programme coordinator Joanne Rose at joanne.rose@ucc.ie
During your online application you will be required to upload the following documents:
- Birth Cert or Passport
- Passport Photograph
- Supplementary Questions Document ADFPSS Supplemental Questions [please download document and upload completed document during application]
- Applicants will need to provide a letter from their employer to state that they support them attending the course and supervising a student on placement in January 2021.
Progression to MA in Advanced Fieldwork
Participants interested in applying for the MA should indicate their preference to do so to the Programme Director at an early stage. The requirements for progression onto the MA are: successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, completion of a research proposal, provision of an academic reference. An interview with the Programme Director may also be required. Please click the link below for further details.
Advanced Fieldwork Practice and Supervision - Social Work
Year 1 Modules
- SS6800: Introduction to Practice Teaching and Supervision (10 credits)
Introduction to conceptual frameworks of supervision and assessment of fieldwork practice. Theories and methods of reflective learning and adult/experiential learning. Constructing a reflective learning environment to encourage and promote reflective thinking and practice. Examination of current policy issues in relation to practice teaching. Introduction to different models of groupwork intervention and to their relevance for practice teaching. Examination of how the social groupwork perspectives of empowerment, participation and social inclusion are applied in work with students. - SS6801: Preparation for Practice Teaching (10 credits)
An introduction to the humanistic values and ethical codes of social work and to identify the value conflicts inherent in the social and organisational contexts of social work practice. An examination of the role of practice teacher and the values that underpin that role. An introduction to anti-oppressive and anti-racist practices. A review of the practice teaching role within the agency context: placement planning, induction, supervision, assessment, recording and report writing. - SS6802: Developing and Demonstrating Competence in Practice Teaching and Assessment (5 credits)
Work-based learning to meet identified learning needs. Reflection upon the process of developing effective learning agreements. Demonstration of teaching strategies and techniques used within the context of the agency setting. - SS6803: The Reflective Practice Teacher (5 credits)
Candidates make a group presentation reflecting on their practice within an anti-oppressive, anti-racist framework, exploring their personal and professional development. - SS6804: Practice Placement (30 credits)
Orientation to knowledge, skills and practices of teaching and supervision in social work. Introductino to competencies in practice teaching and supervision.