The practice learning centre: the need for new concepts in practice learning and teaching

Abstract

ABSTRACT One of the most encouraging and exciting features of the new drive towards improving practice learning in social work education and training has been the emergence of new forms of organisation for the teaching of practice. These have grown out of the partnership of courses and trainers in the agencies in seeking ways of channeling resources for practice learning that will help social work education to move into the next decade to match the new arrangements for training to be inaugurated in 1990. Hitherto the main focus of social work education has been on the academic teaching in the colleges; too often the component of practice teaching has been simply tagged on to the already heavy workload of practitioners in the agencies. The balance is now shifting, and practice learning coming to be recognised as a key element in training for practice competence. What has brought about this change?