21 February 2013
Caring module identified as example of best practice
A social work module at the University of Dundee has been identified by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) as an example of best practice in teaching students the importance of social care and involving carers and service users as equal partners.
The University's School of Education, Social Work and Community Education (ESWCE) is working with NES to highlight the positive impact that the Community Care and the Caring Experience module is having on preparing social work students to work in partnership with carers and service users.
The module is taught as part of the MSc Social Work programme within ESWCE. Information on the module, including a short podcast, will be available on the NES website from March as an example of good practice in workforce development.
Central to the module is an approach that explores both theoretical and practical aspects and involves students experiencing the day-to-day life of carers and service users.
Module leader Dr Susan Levy said she was delighted that its value had been identified and would help to prepare health and social care students and professionals for the challenges they face.
"The module engages students with the complexities of care from theoretical and policy perspectives as well as offering students the opportunity to spend time with a carer or someone receiving care and support.
"The concept of care is explored through students spending a minimum of fifteen hours with a carer and/or service user. Through observing the everyday lives of their host family students gain a deep understanding of what it means to offer and receive care and support and more generally, the importance of valuing the knowledge and experience of service users.
"This module was first introduced to the MSc Social Work programme in 2005, and was developed through close collaboration with the School's Carers and Users group."
John Dow of the Carer and User group continues to play an integral role in the development and delivery of the module, which was awarded a Care Accolade in 2007 winning first place for Diversity of Practice Learning Opportunities.
NES is a special health board responsible for supporting NHS services in Scotland by developing and delivering education and training for those who work in NHS Scotland.
The NES website will now make information on the module accessible to a wide range of health and social services practitioners, and will provide a model of good practice for higher education institutions and organisations involved in developing the social services workforce of the future.
Information on the Dundee module will be part of an online portal hosting learning resources, a set of core principles, and practice guidance for health and social services staff on working more effectively with carers and service users as valued partners.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
