The Social Work Education Partnership (SWEP) is pleased to share updates on actions taken by key partners to improve practice learning opportunities (PLOs). These steps are informed by the recommendations outlined in the “Social Work Practice Learning Funding: Research and Evaluation” report. Conducted by a research team based at Learning Network West and completed in September 2023, the report offers valuable insights into existing funding arrangements and proposes significant improvements to achieve national consistency and better support for practice learning. Notably, the researchers made recommendations covering a wider scope than just practice learning.
In response, a series of measures have been implemented to enhance the quality, consistency, and accessibility of PLOs. These measures include the introduction of a minimum of 180 placement days across two PLOs starting from September 2027, restricting funding to assessed PLOs from the 2025 academic year to ensure high-quality placements, and requiring all practice educators to hold relevant qualifications and be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) by 2027. Additionally, the Practice Learning Support Grant (PLSG) has been increased to provide more financial support for eligible students, with additional support for those with high travel or accommodation costs. Structural changes to the postgraduate bursary system have widened access and simplified support for social work study. Training and support for practice educators will be strengthened by hosting the first-ever Practice Learning Conference in September 2025 and ongoing support through SWEP structures. Finally, leavers and workforce wellbeing surveys have been launched to guide future workforce planning.
While progress has been made, some areas will require further input and collaboration to address ongoing challenges and achieve long-term objectives. Continued collaboration among stakeholders—including students, educators, employers, and people with lived experience—is essential to build a robust and equitable system that supports everyone involved in practice learning.
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