Most Common Practice Learning Related Myths!
“I can pick and choose practice learning opportunities”
The Practice Learning Team will pursue only one practice learning opportunity at a time and will not juggle two or more practice learning options for any student.
If a student decides to pursue their own practice learning opportunity, any practice learning opportunities being negotiated by the Practice Learning Team will be withdrawn and possibly matched with another student
“If I don’t like the look of a practice learning agency I’ll just ask for another one”
A student is unable to unreasonably turn down or reject a practice learning opportunity based soley upon the location of the practice learning agency or the service user group. If a student does so then the responsibility for identifying a practice learning opportunity which meets the requirements of the programme and the General Social Care Council will rest with them.
“I will automatically be accepted by a practice learning agency”
Potential practice learning agencies are under no obligation to ask a student for an initial interview or to offer them a practice learning opportunity. Therefore students are encouraged to treat the practice learning application process as they would a job interview to maximise their chances of success.
“I’ll be able to get a practice learning opportunity near my home”
This is certainly not the case in all circumstances. The reality is that the majority of practice learning opportunities that have been developed reflect the location of HaveringCollege.
However links are being made all the time with a range of agencies all over London.
“I’ve heard that a particular agency takes students and has vacancies, so I’ll just go there”
There is no guarantee that because an agency has taken social work students in the past that they will continue to do so in the future. All practice learning opportunities are negotiated on an individual basis for each student. The Practice Learning Team follows an agreed process for the matching of students and so does not does not operate on hearsay.
If a student feels they could identify their own practice learning opportunity then an IPPL form needs to be completed by the student and the potential practice learning agency.
“Everybody has a practice learning opportunity except me!”
Practice learning opportunities are negotiated on an individual basis for each student. As a result, some students will hear about their practice learning opportunities sooner than others, but it is highly likely that others will be in a similar position to you.
Unfortunately, it is the case that at times some students may be without a confirmed practice learning opportunity when others have started. The Practice Learning Team will be aware of the situation and will be working very hard to identify a suitable practice learning agency in such cases.
“I will decide the hours I work whilst with a practice learning agency”
No. Each student is required to undertake the normal working hours of the agency within which they have been placed. However, working less than 6 hours a day is unacceptable.
“Phoning the Practice Learning Team several times a day every week will guarantee me a practice learning opportunity”
Sorry, this is probably the biggest myth of all!