Social Work Education Initiative

This is a three-year national project, funded by the Scottish Executive, to develop social work services learning and practice. Main aims are to enhance social work education and continuous professional development. Focus is on the use of psychodynamic and systemic frameworks in reflective practice, its management and supervision.

Resources and models of learning have been adapted for a range of qualified social workers and managers in social work and social care. Evaluation of the project will make available learning material and methods for increasing professional autonomy and creativity, as well as developing expertise in consultancy for, and supervision in, individual practitioners and services.

Social Work Education at SIHR

The Social Work Education Initiative (SWEI) has designed and delivered programmes on therapeutic social work, attachment theory and its application to practice, consultancy and supervision, direct work with children, managing conflict. We also consulted and contributed to events on psychotherapy and social work, interdisciplinary working, and working in organisations.

260 social workers and managers from local authority and voluntary agencies have participated in these events over the last 18 months.

Social work and social care practitioners and managers have also attended other multidisciplinary courses and trainings at SIHR, these continue including therapeutic skills, family therapy, working with children and adolescents, psychodynamic supervision, counselling practice, infant mental health and a range of other areas of practice. SIHR members run courses and consultation for social work agencies on assessment, working with sexual and emotional abuse, child observation, organisational development.

In 2007 we will continue to refine material, processes and findings, work on final commissions and prepare an overall evaluation of key issues. We will also look at models to build on what has been created for a further stage of development with potential partners.

 Strategic Objectives include :

• Developing models of learning for reflective practice in social work, integrating theoretical frameworks in a critical evaluation of intervention and effectiveness.

• Embedding transferable skills and knowledge through creating resources to support the ongoing use of psychodynamic and systemic understanding in Scottish Social Work Services.

This project is funded from 2004 to 2007 and overlaps with objectives of the Changing Lives Review of 21st Century Social Work.

Its focus is on:

Reflective practice Therapeutic social work Professional consultation Improving leadership in practice and at organisational levels

Adding to the range of national and local work towards developing:

Professional confidence based on increased knowledge and skills Autonomy and creativity in practice Leadership in all areas of social work services

The full review document of the project can be downloaded here – SWEI Findings and Directions Report

For further information about the Initiative contact:
Ray Pavey, Development Manager
Click here for details.

Social Work Education Initiative Scottish Institute of Human Relations