Academic Approval Record (Reference 1094)

STANDING PANEL FOR SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES, LANGUAGES & SOCIAL SCIENCES (HLSS), SCHOOL OF SPORT, PERFORMING ARTS & LEISURE (SSPAL) - 1999/2000. Academic Approval Record (Reference 1094) Recommendation to University Quality Committee: Confirmed The HLSS/SSPAL Standing Panel was pleased to recommend to University Quality Committee (UQC), approval of the following provision:- New University of Wolverhampton Certificate in Higher Education (Social Work), with City & Guild National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 4 Social Care Award, to commence in February 2000. The programme is to be owned by the School of Humanities, Languages & Social Sciences, delivered in part-time mode of study and managed in collaboration with the following partner agencies:- Telford & Wrekin Social Services Walsall Social Services Addition of four other partner agencies, currently involved in the delivery of the existing Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) programme, deferred pending further consideration by the Standing Panel during the next academic year for approval to commence in February 2001:- Shropshire Social Services Wolverhampton Social Services NCH Action for Children (Midlands Region) Wolverhampton Education Social Work Service In support of this recommendation, the Standing Panel provides the following report of its considerations and is aware that the recommendation remains provisional until received, considered and ratified by University Quality Committee (UQC). Summary of proposal. New modules for validation:- Level 1 Care Management (SO1002) - 15 credits Residential Day and Home Care Services (SO1003) - 15 credits Needs and Resource Led Assessments (SO1004) - 15 credits NVQ Level 4 Practice 1 (SO1101) - 45 credits Existing modules to be included: Level 1 Values and Ethics in Social Work (SO1001) - 15 credits Working in Teams and Organisations (SO1103) - 15 credits Skills for Practice (SO1104) - 15 credits. 1

Details of Panel and Participants. Standing Panel: SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES, LANGUAGES & SOCIAL SCIENCES (HLSS) SCHOOL OF SPORT, PERFORMING ARTS & LEISURE (SSPAL). Academic Year: 1999/2000. Chair: Officer: Mr Brian Mitchell, Associate Dean, School of Legal Studies. Mr Toby Roy, Quality & Standards Unit. CD Reference Number: 718/898. Professional Body visit(s): Not applicable. Provision under consideration: Validation of a new part-time CertHE in Social Work, with NVQ Level 4 Social Care awarded by City & Guild, to be owned and delivered by the University of Wolverhampton in collaboration with two partner agencies currently involved in the joint delivery of the existing Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) accredited by the Central Council for Education & Training in Social Work (CCETSW). Award Team representatives: Ms Jill Williams (Key Proposer, HLSS) Ms Ida Bentley (Agency Representative, Walsall Social Services) Ms Mavis Brown NVQ Administrator, Walsall Social Services) Ms Chris Dixon (Agency Representative, Telford & Wrekin Council) Ms Claudette Morgan (Admissions Tutor, HLSS) Ms Margaret Steed (NVQ Assessment Centre, Walsall Social Services) Mr Graham Tuckley (Programme Co-ordinator, HLSS) Standing Panel members: Mr Brian Mitchell (Chair, School of Legal Studies) Ms Diane Peacock (Deputy Chair, School of Art & Design) Dr Pauline Anderson (School of Humanities,Languages & Social Sciences) Professor John Benson (School of Humanities,Languages & Social Sciences) Ms Kay Biscomb School of Sport, Performing Arts & Leisure) Ms Rishma Dattani (Wolverhampton Business School) Mr John Dews (School of Engineering & Built Environment) Professor Jean Gilkison (Dean of Research, Research Unit) Dr Roger Lintonbon (School of Humanities,Languages & Social Sciences) Ms Joy Squires (School of Humanities,Languages & Social Sciences) Ms Linda Thomas (Learning Centre, Shropshire Campus) Mr Andy Walker (School of Humanities,Languages & Social Sciences) Ms Penny Welch (School of Humanities,Languages & Social Sciences) Mr Toby Roy (Officer, Quality & Standards Unit) External Advisors: External comment was provided by Mr Bruce Senior, Head of Health & Social Care, University of the West of England. Visits to partner agencies, and internal reading of all submission documentation, was undertaken by Mr Brian Mitchell and Dr Roger Lintonbon on behalf of the Panel. List of documentation: The following documentation was considered by the Standing Panel:- Module Specification Templates Programme Handbook (1999/2000) Curriculum Vitae for Academic Staff External Examiner Reports (1997/1998 & 1998/99) 2

Memorandum of Co-operation (Draft). Adequacy of documentation: All documentation met with the requirements of the Standing Panel, was comprehensive, well presented, and had previously been agreed by the HLSS School Quality Committee. Summary of actions undertaken by the Standing Panel: Wednesday 27th October 1999 Standing Panel discussion of proposal plan for the new programme. Wednesday 10th November 1999 Visit to Walsall Social Services Department for tour of resources and meeting with agency staff. Wednesday 2nd December 1999 Tuesday 15th December 1999 Friday 17th December 1999 Monday 20th December 1999 Visit to Telford & Wrekin Social Services Department for tour of resources, meeting with agency staff, meeting with students, and meeting between Award Team and Standing Panel representatives in order to discuss comments from the External Advisor and in order to agree remaining issues to be closed-out. Visit to Wolverhampton Social Services Department for tour of resources and meeting with agency staff. Visit to Shropshire Social Services Department for tour of resources and meeting with agency staff. Standing Panel discussion of draft Academic Approval Record. Attachments: Appendix 1:- Minutes from Standing Panel meeting held on Wednesday 27th October 1999. Appendix 2:- Comments from Mr Bruce Senior (External Advisor). Appendix 3:- Response to External Advisor comments from Ms Jill Williams (Key Proposer). 1. Background/General. The new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme builds upon the current Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), a professionally accredited programme which was originally validated by the University of Wolverhampton in June 1991, and last reviewed on 22nd May 1996. The full-time and part-time Diploma in Social Work (DipSW) programme has been accredited by the Central Council for Education & Training in Social Work (CCETSW), and also leads to University of Wolverhampton awards of DipHE Social Work and BA (Hons) Applied Social Studies. The existing programme is to continue to be managed and delivered jointly between the six partner agencies within the Black Country Consortium. However, only Telford & Wrekin Social Services and Walsall Social Services would also be supporting the new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme from February 2000 onwards with the four remaining agencies joining in February 2001 subject to further consideration by the Standing Panel. 3

The development of a dual CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award has been made in response to the School s strategic plan to consolidate, diversify and extend a well established DipSW market and also in response to demand from partner agencies within the Black Country Consortium. These developments reflect national trends to bring aspects of social work education and practice together and offer new career paths for current professionals. The main benefits for local authorities involved in training and delivery for the new NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award were highlighted as follows:- More specialised programme aimed at staff employed within specific sectors of social work Opportunity to reduce training costs through secondments offered by social work employers Programme accessible to a larger number of employees who do not necessarily meet DipSW programme entry requirements. The Practice 1 Module is to be delivered in two agencies (Telford & Wrekin Social Services and Walsall Social Services) with core modules being taught between Dudley Campus (50%) and Shropshire Campus (50%). New programme to be delivered in part-time mode over 18 months (3 Semesters). This would involve candidates spending 4 days during each week in their practice environment and 1 day attending lectures at Dudley Campus or Shropshire Campus. Full-time students on the existing DipSW programme normally receive LEA funding whilst part-time students would be expected to fund themselves with support from their employer. The School anticipated that the new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme would recruit approximately 20 students in the first year and that these students may also continue to study on the DipSW programme. 2. Collaborative Arrangements. The Standing Panel noted that revisions had been made to the existing Memorandum of Co-operation, governing current arrangements for delivery of the DipSW programme, to include the new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme. It was noted that the new programme would be managed and delivered collaboration with two partner agencies already part of the Black Country Consortium:- Telford & Wrekin Social Services Walsall Social Services Standing Panel visited the four different Social Services Departments (based within local authorities at Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, Walsall and Wolverhampton), in order to meet agency staff in their working environment and to view resources available to students. 3. Professional Body Involvement. Prior to Standing Panel consideration, the new NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award was validated by City and Guild whilst the current DipSW programme will continue to receive accreditation from the Central Council for Education & Training in Social Work (CCETSW). Students completing both the NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award, and also progressing onto the DipSW programme, would be required to meet professional competencies, aims, knowledge and assessment outcomes set by both City and Guild and CCETSW. However, the knowledge and assessment requirements for both awards include the need for students to demonstrate an ability to apply theoretical understanding of values and ethics; working in organisational and structural contexts; assessment and interventions and self-reflection of their practice with service users, 4. Aims and Outcomes. The aims and outcomes of the new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme were found to be clearly articulated as follows:- 1) To enable students to appropriately utilise and apply a range of social work, sociology and psychological theories to their work as social work practitioners. 4

2) Enable students to critically analyse the role of theory and research for social work practice including and understanding of evidence based research. 3) Enable students to critically understand differing interpretations of sources, forms of oppression and disadvantage, and their impact at a structural and individual level in society. 4) Enable students to work in partnership with service users and other professional groups. 5. Curriculum Design, Content and Organisation. The new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme has been designed to provide learning opportunities for students to develop their career in social work practice. It was anticipated that many day, residential and home care workers will seek to develop their careers as either social work/social care managers or as senior specialists within care management, day, residential and home care sectors. The programme assesses student performance using a variety of approaches to teaching and learning which operate within the same award assessment regulations as the current DipSW programme. The range of assessment methods highlighted included written assignments, direct observation of practice situations, learning journals, report writing and provision of documentary evidence. Teaching methods include lectures, small group work/discussion, simulation and role play exercises. 6. Teaching, Learning and Assessment. Students recruited to the new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme, and who successfully meet the assessment requirements at Level 1, would be eligible to transfer onto Level 2 of the DipSW programme subject to the availability of places. Students enrolling directly onto the DipSW programme would automatically progress from Level 1 to Level 2. In order to meet CCETSW Professional Body recommendations, any students completing the CertHE in Social Work and/or intending to progress onto Level 2 of the DipSW programme, must gain 120 credits at Level 1 (15 credits more than standard Level 1 programmes as stipulated within the University s Academic Regulations). Students achieving 105 credits at Level 1 would therefore be eligible to claim a Certificate in Higher Education only. The Award Team requested that two routes be made available to students to achieve a Certificate in Higher Education (Social Work) as follows; (a) Students passing the first year of the DipSW programme but who decide not to complete year 2,or, (b) Students completing the Certificate in Higher Education (Social Work) having met the knowledge and assessment requirements for the NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award:- Year 1 Certificate in Higher Education (Social Work) without NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award Certificate in Higher Education (Social Work) with NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award SO1000 Inequalities in Society SO1001 Values and Ethics in Social Work SO1001 Values and Ethics in Social Work SO1102 Care Management SO1102 Psychology SO1003 Residential Day & Home Care Services SO1103 Working in Teams & Organisations SO1004 Needs and Resource Led Assessments SO1104 Skills for Practice SO1103 Working in Teams & Organisations SO1100 Practice 1 (45 credits) SO1104 Skills for Practice - SO1101 NVQ Level 4 Practice 1 (45 credits) (Note: Students are eligible to claim the City & Guild NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award upon successful completion of Practice Module SO1101 (45 credits) without gaining any award from the University of Wolverhampton). 5

The Standing Panel raised concerns about the possibility of students failing the NVQ Level 4 Practice 1 Module (45 credits) and therefore not being able to claim the full 120 credits required for a CertHE in Social Work and/or progress onto the DipSW programme at Level 2 (See Section 12 - Summary of areas for further improvement or attention). The Standing Panel was generally satisfied that comments made by the External Advisor had been responded to by the Award Team. It was noted that the External Advisor had raised concerns about the need for close monitoring of progression from Level 1 to Level 2 ensuring that students taking the NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award are not disadvantaged by taking a different pool of modules. It was noted that Walsall Social Services Department had agreed to co-ordinate the assessment of student practice and the training of new NVQ Practice Assessors at its NVQ Assessment Centre. Walsall Social Services Department is the only partner agency which has been approved by City and Guild as an NVQ Assessment Centre to facilitate and support NVQ Level 4 Social Care Awards. All candidates studying for the NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award are to be assessed and externally moderated through the NVQ Assessment Centre. Whilst considering the proposal for a new CertHE in Social Work, the Standing Panel also sought assurance of the ability of assessors to assess candidates and the level of training provided by the NVQ Assessment Centre. Theory components taught on the programme, and described in terms of academic outcomes, are demonstrated primarily through practice which is observed by NVQ Practice Assessors. Work is submitted by candidates in a professional portfolio which is used to assess practice linked to theory elements. The NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award is available to those candidates who successfully complete the Practice 1 Module (45 credits at Level 1) and must be found competent in every element in order to pass. However, candidates may fail the CertHE in Social Work but still gain the NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award. NVQ Practice Assessor qualifications (D32 & D33 awarded by City and Guild) can be achieved prior to, or sometimes during, the assessment and supervision of candidates. Many staff based in the various partner agencies are qualified as both NVQ Practice Assessors and Practice Teachers to work with candidates during their practice placements. The Panel noted that both academic staff and agency staff involved in the delivery of the programme (either as mentors, lecturers or practice supervisors) were engaged in relevant and ongoing research, consultancy and professional training. 7. Student Progression and Achievement. Entry requirements for the new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme would be 2 `A Levels (or equivalent) or previous experience in social work/social care practice. Given that many applicants for NVQ programmes are not normally expected to hold any previous certificated learning, applicants are required to submit an assignment demonstrating their ability to study in Higher Education. 8. Student Support and Guidance. Meetings with students revealed the need for Practice Teachers have relevant experience in the field which they are covering as mentors. Also, some students felt that the focus of practice competencies had varied depending upon the clients they were working with and therefore found difficulty completing particular competencies. It was noted that each student would normally be mentored on a one-to-one basis by Practice Teachers/Supervisors. Students also commented on the need for more frequent communication with their Personal Tutor at the University as a source of independent help outside their practice environment. 9. Learning Resources. Students will have access to the University s Information Technology (IT) facilities as part of their studies and access to relevant learning materials based primarily at Learning Centres on Dudley and Shropshire Campuses where lectures take place. It was anticipated that extended Learning Centre opening times will enable greater access to these facilities. 10. University Mission 6

The Standing Panel felt that the proposal provision, and its means of delivery, were consistent with the University Mission, particularly in regard to the Award Team s commitment to equal opportunities and facilitating open access to the programme. 11. Quality Management and Enhancement. Monitoring and evaluation of the new programme is to be carried out by existing management systems for the DipSW programme including oversight by the Programme Management Committee and School Quality Committee. Two External Assessors for the current DipSW programme have been approved and appointed jointly between the University of Wolverhampton and the Professional Body (CCETSW) which gives accreditation for the DipSW programme. Both External Examiners have agreed to cover the new CertHE in Social Work in order to ensure that standards are maintained on the two different routes at Level 1. An External Moderator, approved by City & Guilds and the NVQ Assessment Centre, will also be appointed for the moderation and verification of the new NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award. The Standing Panel noted that feedback from DipSW External Examiners had been generally positive about the high quality of teaching, high standards of student achievement, organised approach to award management and the quality of practice assessors. Attention was given particularly to the excellent reputation of the existing DipSW programme and the good relationship established with various partner agencies within the Black County Consortium. 12. Summary of areas for further improvement or attention. The Standing Panel recommended that the following concerns be investigated by the Award Team:- 1) Examine `fall-back position for students failing the NVQ Level 4 Practice 1 Module (45 credits) and unable to claim the full 120 credits required for the CertHE in Social Work and/or progress onto the DipSW programme at Level 2. 2) Clarification of the equivalence between NVQ Level 4 for City and Guild, and, Level 1 study at the University of Wolverhampton 3) Evaluate the case load for part-time students on the new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme, compared with current DipSW full-time students, to ensure that the balance between study and practice is appropriate for both cohorts. 4) Develop clear criteria for dealing with boarderline pass/fail situations and the roles of both NVQ Practice Assessors and External Moderators in these situations. Whilst considering the proposal for validation of a new CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care Award, representatives of the Standing Panel visited 4 of the 6 partner agencies including Shropshire Social Services, Telford & Wrekin Social Services, Walsall Social Services and Wolverhampton Social Services. However, on the basis of these visits, representatives felt unable to give approval for the participation of Shropshire Social Services and Wolverhampton Social Services. Both agencies were found to be experiencing significant changes to staffing, and whilst the Standing Panel did not doubt the commitment and enthusiasm of agency staff, it was thought appropriate to defer approval until a further visit had been undertaken. It was noted that both agencies did bot wish to recruit students to the new programme until February 2001. Representatives of the Standing Panel did not visit NCH Action for Children (Midlands Region) or Wolverhampton Education Social Work Service at this stage and approval for their participation was also deferred pending further consideration by the Standing Panel. Similarly, it was not thought appropriate to visit these agencies with neither intending to recruit students until February 2001. 13. Identification of good practice 7

The Standing Panel commended the dedication and commitment of the Award Team and acknowledged that, compared with many other professions, the social work profession invests a substantial amount of time in the training and mentoring of new practitioners. 14. Identification of issues that have institutional implications. The Standing Panel noted that, as with similar professions such are nursing, future registration of social work practitioners was being discussed by the government and by professional bodies. 15. Date of next review: The University s normal review cycle of 5 years would mean that the next scheduled review for the CertHE in Social Work/NVQ Level 4 Social Care programme would take place in the 2004/2005 academic year. Signed (Standing Panel Chair)... Date... 8