Due to the ending of a secondment, we are excited to be seeking appointment for a Practice Learning Development Officer (PDAPL Co-ordinator).

Learning Network West is a unique organisation, supporting Social Work Education and developing practice learning opportunities across the West of Scotland. We work closely with HEI and Local Authority funding partners across the West of Scotland to fulfil three core functions: the Mental Health Officer Award Programme, The Professional Development Award in Practice Learning, and social work student placement matching and development. As part of this existing work, the Network is working closely with stakeholders, including Scottish Government, SSSC and our partners, to ensure continued contribution and commitment to the on-going development of social work education in Scotland.

The post holder will be responsible for working in partnership, to plan, deliver and evaluate the PDAPL programme. The successful candidate will be responsible for the practice elements of the programme, including the strategic developments and operational oversight. The post holder will represent Learning Network West as a conduit in Social Work Education across Scotland.

Learning Network West is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. Secondments welcome.

Purpose of post: The post holder will be responsible for working in partnership, to plan, deliver and evaluate the PDAPL programme. The successful candidate will be responsible for the practice elements of the programme, including the strategic developments and operational oversight. The post holder will represent Learning Network West as a conduit in Social Work Education across Scotland.

Main responsibilities:

• Co-ordination of candidate selection, including standardisation between SQA centres, cohort adverts, facilitating information session, reading all applications and chairing selection panel, writing decision letters and providing one to one feedback for unsuccessful candidates.

• Undertake assessment and internal verification of candidates.

• Co-ordinate assessment and verification activities, including assessor and verifier induction and registration, annual CPD records, chairing portfolio and standardisation meetings (approx. 18 meetings a year), ensuring assessment and verification adheres to both award standards (SSSC) and validation requirements (SQA).

• Development and review of course materials, including assessment instruments, methodologies and portfolio, handbook, selection materials, teaching materials, policies and strategy documents. To be cognisant of legislative, policy and practice developments and ensure programme continues to meet the broad needs or partners, regulatory and validating bodies.

• Co-ordinating ongoing CPL activities for assessors and verifiers.

• Co-ordinating and tutoring on a taught programme (covering topics including assessment, supervision, adult learning, reflection, emotional intelligence, evidence-based practice, leadership, evaluation and change processes).

• Evaluation of all programme activities.

• Maintaining accurate, up to date candidate and assessment records, including candidate progress and deferrals.

• Producing annual quality assurance monitoring, external verification and systems verification reports.

• Collating, analysing and producing a range of monitoring information for stakeholders, including the West Learning partnership (12 local authorities and 5 HEI’s).

• The design, facilitation and evaluation of assessor and verifier induction programmes.

• Chair Practice Learning Award Management Group and undertake any tasks allocated – over the next year this will likely include the implementation of revised Group Award Specification (following recent SQA review) and subsequent amendments to portfolio handbook and taught materials.

• Co-ordination and investigation of complaints and misconduct procedures.

• E-portfolio induction programme, monthly e-portfolio surgeries and ongoing/ as and when support for candidates, assessors and verifiers.

Learning Network West is a unique organisation, supporting Social Work Education and developing practice learning opportunities across the West of Scotland. We work closely with HEI and Local Authority funding partners across the West of Scotland to fulfil three core functions: the Mental Health Officer Award Programme, The Professional Development Award in Practice Learning, and social work student placement matching and development. As part of this existing work, the Network is working closely with stakeholders, including Scottish Government, SSSC and our partners, to ensure continued contribution and commitment to the on-going development of social work education in Scotland.

We are excited to be seeking appointment for a qualified, and experienced Mental Health Officer, to undertake a job share as a Practice Coordinator. The post holder will have responsibility both for the practice elements of the programme, as well as the strategic development, with consideration of the wider context relevant to Social Work Education and Social Work as a profession.

The post holder will be responsible for planning, delivering, and evaluating the Mental Health Officer programme, ensuring effective implementation of the legislative framework within the university teaching programme, including policies and processes directly linked with MHO practice. The post holder will engage directly with all stakeholders to ensure on-going evaluation and development of the MHO programme, demonstrating commitment to Social Work Education and the SSSC Codes of Practice.

Learning Network West is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. Secondments welcome.

Main responsibilities

• In partnership with HEIs, Local Authorities and key stakeholders, develop and implement appropriate practice and assessment components of the programme, consistent with the learning objectives. This includes but is not limited to; coordinating teaching modules; coordinating/supporting candidate placements whilst providing on-going support to the candidates/practice assessors/local authorities (as placement agencies); as a member of the Assessment Board, marking academic assignments and practice assessor reports, as specified in the assessment process.
• To contribute to the strategic direction and development of the programme, alongside key stakeholders, including planning, delivering, and reviewing the academic and professional standards of the modules.
• Arrange, participate, and report to the various developmental and strategic forums, locally and nationally, including our partner HEI (Strathclyde University), various Local Authorities, Scottish Government, the Scottish Social Service Council, and the MHO Reference Group.
• Adhere to, promote, and implement the existing and developing, legislative framework within and around the programme, namely: Adult Support and Protection Act 2007, The Mental Health (Care and Treatment (Scotland) Act 2003, Adults with Incapacity Scotland Act 2000, and the Criminal Procedures (Scotland) act 1995. This work will be done in partnership with our contributors and relevant stake holders.
• Designing, delivering, and contributing to the ongoing training and development of practice assessors.
• Engage in a conduit and leadership role with regards to managing the support and expectations of all stakeholders in this complex field of work.
• To undertake the quality assurance and enhancement of the practice components of the programme, contributing to the annual module monitoring process.
• Contribute to the future development of link work within the MHO programme, designed and delivered by LNW.
• To undertake any other tasks appropriate to the role.

Learning Network West is a unique organisation in the West Scotland supporting Social Work education. We are funded through 12 local authorities and 5 Universities providing the undergraduate and post graduate qualification in Social Work.

LNW secured additional funding from Scottish Government to increase the resource for practice learning opportunities in the west of Scotland.

Therefore we seek to recruit Practice Learning Development Officers to specifically undertake the challenge of securing, developing and quality assuring placement opportunities for Social Work students.

The network is committed to the ongoing development of both new and existing placement opportunities, we acknowledge that this a considerable task and additional personnel would support our efforts to develop placements in three distinct areas:

1. School and educational establishments.

2. Third sector providers of social work and social care

3. Innovative hub and alternative models of placement provision.

The post(s) of Practice Learning Development Officer is for one year to sustain practice learning opportunities within social work education across the social services sector and our partner organisations. The role(s) are offered as a 35 hour full time post(s) however can be flexible to include part time / job share options. Please enquire at application.

See the Job Description and Person Specification for further details about the role.