Practice Education: Stage 2

Practice Education Stage 2 is an academically accredited module, offered at Postgraduate level and designed in close reference to the updated Practice Education Professional Standards or PEPS (BASW, 2022). 

This robust module unfolds over six carefully designed theory and research informed sessions.  These sessions build on trainees’ prior practice education skills and experience, supporting them to extend their skills in teaching, supporting, supervising and assessing a range of learners. 

In Practice Education Stage 2, trainees learn how to:

• Work in anti-oppressive ways and manage diverse learner identities.
• Use theory and research informed practice to transform learners.
• Manage learning barriers and/or performance issues.
• Form and sustain active learning communities.
• Work reflexively and promote reflective practice.

Full details on the module will be provided to all successful applicants in our Welcome Pack.  

The Department of Social Work and Social Care is a multi-disciplinary academic team committed to anti-oppressive, relationship-based practice, addressing inequalities and discrimination, and improving the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.  We achieve our aims through original and relevant research; international collaborations in the field of social work and social care; local partnerships with social work and social care agencies, practitioners and services users; and quality learning opportunities for professionals at every level.

In each of our undergraduate, postgraduate and post qualifying programmes, we aim to develop “thinking performers”, that is, mindful practitioners who are clear about their values; able to work ethically with a diverse range of people, issues and dilemmas; skilled in managing complex relationships, tasks and systems; able to draw from a robust knowledge base, and evidence a strong commitment to the profession’s standards and aims.  Our role as educators is to support the development of compassionate, reflective, knowledgeable and curious practitioners, ensuring that teaching and learning opportunities are dynamic, relevant, evidence informed and inclusive. 

Driven by our ambitious aims for social work, the Post-Graduate Practice Education Stage 2 module is designed to support the professional growth of experienced social workers who have a keen interest in learning and development and a commitment to enhancing social work practice for the benefit of citizens.  The module provides varied opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills to deliver high quality teaching and learning experiences to a range of learners, including social work students and newly qualified social workers in their Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) and pre-qualifying social work students with a particular focus on final year students.

The Practice Education Stage 2 module comprises of six teaching sessions.  Each session will be delivered over one full day (10am to 4:30pm) scheduled every other week, so that the module teaching is completed over a 10 week period.  PE Stage 2 trainees are expected to attend ALL six sessions.

In 25/26 our PE 2 module will be delivered fully in-person, ensuring regular face-to-face contact to create a strong and effective learning community.  During the module there will be plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your peers to share experiences, learn and develop.  We hope that these foundations will foster your on-going professional development as a Practice Educator.

The Practice Education Stage 2 module is academically assessed at 20 credits which means that 200 hours of study is expected.  This is achieved through a mix of online independent study, seminars, tutorials, additional reading and research and the oversight of a social work learner on placement.

To complete the module candidates must:

• Attend all sessions to evidence their engagement.
• Provide a placement with a social work student or ASYE candidate undertaking a placement opportunity for purposes of professional development.  To be fully qualified as a Stage 2 Practice Educator, candidates MUST have worked with at least ONE pre-qualifying learner in either Stage 1 or Stage 2 of their Practice Education award.
• Submit a portfolio of “evidence”, which includes two direct observations of the trainee in practice, student or ASYE candidate feedback, and a series of reflections on their teaching, supervision and assessment of the learner.
• Submit a 2500 word academic assignment which consists of a structured review of an academic paper related to adult learning in professional practice contexts.  Trainees will be asked to examine how the research findings could support the PE to develop effective and inclusive learning environments, teaching and learning programmes and assessment and feedback practices.  Trainees will evaluate their own practice in light of the findings and in reference to the PEPS, identifying ways in which they will seek to develop their skills and the profile of Practice Education within their agency.

Practice Education Stage 2 trainees must have successfully completed the Practice Education Stage 1 award (or equivalent course), have at least three years post-qualifying experience, and demonstrate their ability to practice at the Professional Capabilities Framework level of “Experienced Social Worker”. 

To be fully qualified as a Stage 2 Practice Educator, candidates MUST have worked with at least ONE pre-qualifying learner in either Stage 1 or Stage 2 of their Practice Education award. Where the applicant has not previously overseen a pre-qualifying social work learner, they will be required to work with a pre-qualifying social work learnerover the course of the Practice Education Stage 2 module to comply with the professional standards. 

In addition, trainees should evidence their continued interest and commitment to practice education, by having completed activities such as supporting students and other new staff joining teams and services (perhaps as part of induction activities or contributing to staff development workshops).

Furthermore, Practice Education Stage 2 applicants must demonstrate that they are ready to study at Postgraduate level.  Usually, evidence of their Practice Education Stage 1 award is sufficient, but if this was not awarded at Masters level, applicants can outline any other post-graduate qualifications held (e.g. a Masters, Post Graduate Certificate or Post Graduate Diploma) or relevant post-qualifying professional training, which has required the demonstration of critical thinking and writing skills.

This academic year we will be running one Practice Education Stage 2 module which will be offered at postgraduate level:   

•  PE 2 In-Person Delivery – Tues 30th September 2025 to Tues 9th December 2025

The module fees for the 25/26 academic year are £1090 per candidate. 

Once the six core teaching sessions are completed, trainees can attend our regular online ‘Assignment Q & A Clinics’ which are designed to help them connect with their peers, revise core materials whilst they undertake their work in the field with social work learners, and provide individualised support with completing the module assessment.