PLQ(SS) Newsflash

SSSC has recently approved the following PLQ(SS) programmes:

• Glasgow Caledonian University Stage 4 (SCQF Level 11)
• South East Learning Network with Stevenson College Stage 3 (SCQF Level 10)
• University of the Highlands and Islands Stage 3 (SCQF Level 10)

There are now five SSSC approved PLQ(SS) programmes, including the Learning Network West PLQ(SS) Stage 3 and the Robert Gordon University PLQ(SS) Stage 3, which were approved last year.

For further information please contact This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

 

 

Practice Learning Qualifications (Social Services)

The Practice Learning Qualifications (Social Services) were formally launched on 6 February 2008 at an event jointly hosted by the SSSC and SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) and held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

The proceedings were chaired by Garry Coutts, Convenor of the SSSC and the formal launch was led by the Minister for Children and Early Years, Adam Ingram.

The audience represented a wide range of stakeholders from the social services sector who particularly appreciated an input from Aman Lee, a service user who had contributed both to the development and the approval of the PLQ(SS).  The launch is a major milestone in the progress of the new award and new developments are anticipated over the coming months.

 

Practice Learning Qualifications (Social Services)

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) has developed a major new framework of qualifications for people working in social services and related professions who are supporting learning for practice in the workplace.  For more information you can download our leaflet.  A poster is also available which can be displayed in workplaces/organisations.  Please contact  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   if you would like a poster or further copies of the leaflet to be sent to you. 

 

 

 

Service User and Carer Involvement in Social Work Education

"Grasping the Thistle" - Wednesday 19 March 2008.

Scottish Voices supported by SSSC, have organised a workshop on 19 March 2008 at Perth Concert Hall, entitled "Grasping the Thistle: working together for user and carer involvement in social work education".  The workshop is for service users and carers already involved in social work education and training and those interested in becoming involved.  Practice teachers, social work and social care academics and students will also be in attendance.  Please see the 19march_flyer2 and booking_form to register your interest.

 

Key Capabilities for Child Care and Protection

Work is now underway to embed the Key Capabilities in the Social Work degree.  A number of seminars were held across Scotland over the summer and the SSSC contributed to these and to compiling a list of frequently asked questions arising from those seminars.  There were several requests for clarity around the SSSC's expectations for embedding the Key Capabilities and below we have a statement setting these out, accompanied by letters sent out by SSSC in July to Universities and to Employers. We have also included the Frequently Asked Questions and a link to the Key Capabilities website which as several examples of creative responses to the requirements in practice learning settings not primarily related to Children and Families.  We hope you find this information helpful and you may want to contribute to the practice examples by following the on line instruction on http://www.sieswe.org/keycapabilities/

 

 

Enter the Care Accolades 2008

Do you feel you have something innovative or effective to shout about? Why not enter the Care Accolades?  Entries for the 2008 awards ceremony are now being accepted with the closing date being the 22 February 2008.

The Care Accolades provides an opportunity for your organisation, team or group to have your work recognised by the sector.  It is open to all social service organisations including, private, public and voluntary organisations.  As usual, the eight catagories will include one specifically for practice learning and an overall winner award which will be presented on the day.

The 2008 awards are being held at the 5 star Glasgow Hilton and are being hosted in partnership with the Scottish Government.  For further information about the Care Accolades go to the SSSC's website at www.sssc.uk.com or telephone the SSSC directly to request an application pack, (also available to download from the website) on 0845 6030891.

The 2007 Care Accolades were held at the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh on 8 June 2007.  The category for "Increasing Diversity of Practice Learning Opportunities" was won by Dundee University Care Experience Module of MScSW Programme with Multi Cultural Family Base with Harmeny School winning the runner up award.  Click here for link to reports.

 

PLQ(SS) Approval Panels

Timescales for approval panels

The dates of the approval panels for PLQ(SS) have been set through until March 2009.  In order to assist the process, all paperwork relating to this must be with the SSSC six weeks prior to the panel meeting.  This will allow adequate support time to be built in for the panel members.  The composition of the panels will consist of HEI/FE representatives, employers and representatives from service users/carers.  The panels will be chaired by the SSSC.

 

Panel Date	Submission Date
24 January 2008	13 December 2007
23 April 2008	12 March 2008
26 June 2008	15 May 2008
30 October 2008	18 September 2008
28 January 2009	17 December 2008
25 March 2009	11 February 2009

 

Updated information on PLQ(SS)

The information section on PLQ(SS) has recently been updated.  The main points being about the title of the award and that Stage 3 has now been validated by the SQA.  

Getting Involved and Getting Started

A new leaflet titled "Getting Involved and Getting Started with Practice Learning" is now available for organisations new to providing practice learning opportunities and supporting social work students.  A printed copy of this can be requested from This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  

PLQ(SS) Stage 3 awards validated by SQA

Professional Development Award in Practice Learning & PDA in Practice Learning (Social Services)  at SCQF Level 10

The SQA  has announced that the PDA in Practice Learning at SCQF level 10 and the PDA in Practice Learning (Social Services) at SCQF level 10 have now been validated with all conditions met.  SQA are in the process of finalising internal procedures in relation to these awards and will be announcing shortly when the awards are officially available.

 

Scottish Practice Learning Newsletter

The first edition of the newsletter supporting Practice Learning is being distributed to our stakeholders in early May.  The newsletter is available to view sssc_practicelearning_newsletter_issue1.

 

 

Inventory of materials for PLQ(SS)

An inventory of currently available materials has been compiled by Consultant Jean Gordon as part of the development of the PLQ(SS).  The inventory has enabled gaps to be identified which will form the basis for commissioning new materials.  In due course the inventory will be updated as new materials are developed and placed on the Learning Exchange, together with the opportunity for comment and review from those using the materials.  Meanwhile the inventory is being made accessible on the website together with the accompanying notes on use of the Excel, spreadsheet.  

PLQ(SS) Validation Panel

The SQA Validation Panel for the PLQ(SS) and PLQ Stage 3 took place on 30 March.  Some amendments to the documentation were requested by the Panel which are now being addressed by the Qualifications Design Team in consultation with SSSC and it is expected that these will be finalised by the end of June 2007.  A number of dates for SSSC approval events have been arranged from June onwards.  The first programme will be run by Learning Network West, where a pilot Stage 3 programme is currently being developed.  Minutes of the SQA Qualification Design Team for the PLQ(SS) are available on the SQA website.  

SPLP Conference, 7 December 2006

Conference reports now available 

The Scottish Practice Learning Project's Conference 'Learning in the Workplace' took place on 7 December at the Radisson Hotel, Edinburgh.  The theme of the conference was bringing workplace learning and practice learning together.

The conference was extremely well attended and the audience came from a wide range of social services agencies.

A report from the conference, including workshops, alongside copies of main speakers' presentations - Carole Wilkinson and Bryan Williams are now available.  You may also download the presentations from the workshops 1 (SCQF), 2 (Making Practice Learning Everyone's Business), 3 (Home Care Practice Licence), 4 (Practice Learning in South Lanarkshire), 5 (Dev Practice Learning in Residential Setting), 6 (Mentoring),  7 (Practice Learning Cafe), 8 (Service Users and Carers) and, where available, speaker's speaker's / student's notes (Workshop 5 only).                          

We are pleased also to make available a selection of the journal drawings compiled during the event.

 

Further Revision to PLQSS Submission

Further minor revisions to the submission document at pages 6, 1.2.3 and 10, 1.3.viii were requested by the SPLP Lead Officer and have now been actioned. This latest version is available to download here or from our Publications page. 

 

Engaging Employers in the Sector Skills Council Agenda

A write up of the series of events organised earlier this year to promote employer engagement in the SfC&D/Learning Network agenda is now available.  

We'd like your views

Contribute to the debate about what constitutes a statutory experience.  Look at our creative and innovative practice page  and This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it your comments back to us.  If you give us your permission to do so we‘ll include these on the site.  

Standards and audit for practice learning

The standards and audit for practice learning opportunities are now available to download - printed version can be obtained from the This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .    The document is in two parts, Introduction and Standards, and Guidance and Audit Tool. Any comments or queries about these documents would be welcomed and should be addressed to  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .
 

Institute Website

The learning exchange, launched on 14 November, is now open for use by members of registered organisations. See under e-learning  

Information pack for existing practice teachers and those agencies new to offering practice learning

The resource pack originally devised by the SPLP for existing practice teachers and link supervisors and those agencies new to providing practice learning opportunities is currently being updated (May 2007).  We have removed the document and the accompanying spreadsheet from the website.  The revised document will be available as soon as possible.

 

Self-assessment tool to promote learning organisations

As part of progressing one of the key objectives of the SPLP (promote the development of a learning culture throughout the social services sector, including the development of regional learning networks), and as noted in the National Workforce Strategy Action Plan, the SPLP has identified a self-assessment tool. 

 

Funding for practice learning

Remember the new funding arrangements for practice learning opportunities!