Managing Change in the Practice Learning Opportunity Marion Canavan Practice Learning Co Ordinator. Hayley Jennett NIPTTP candidate. Sinead Breslin Social Work Student.

Time Line June 2016 Hayley awarded a place on the NIPTTP September 2016 NIPTTP commenced. September 2016 Hayley advised on change of post October 2016 Regional Allocations October 2016 Hayley transferred to new post December 2016 Sinead advised of placement details December 2016 Pre placement visit January 2017 Sinead commences placement March 2017 Line Manager is transferred March 2017 Senior Practitioner acts up

Northern Ireland Practice Teaching Candidate / Practice Teacher Transfer of Post

What Worked Well Transfer from FIT to Gateway. Previously worked in that Gateway Team Transfer to take place October 2016 Team experienced in taking students. Geographic location within close proximity of previous team.

Strong Line Manager who pushed for transfer to take place as agreed Team experienced in taking students Hayley knew Team and the Team knew Hayley Hayley part time hours (3 days) Line Manager to act as onsite facilitator in her absence Agreed site available for allocations meeting

Issues for Co Ordinator Gateway preference for Level 3 student Lost FIT Team potential to take student Tight turn around for Hayley starting new post, completing assignment and preparing for student. Team managing change along with preparing for student arriving

Learning Team Leader named as onsite facilitator causing confusion in roles. Practice Teacher details not fully updated Importance of timing / planning Importance of good communication regarding changes. Knowledge and experience of staff involved to plan change.

NIPTTP Candidate/Practice Teacher

What Worked Well Timing of change allowed me to settle into the team to prepare the team to complete Induction Programme Plan to complete academic assignment took place in advance of student arrival.

Management pushing for clear dates of transfer Limited impact on Sinead. Support from Team and management. Team experienced in taking students Own Organisation skills

Learning Ideally, a longer period to settle prior to student arrival. Contact number student received was my old number Naming an onsite Facilitator and onsite Practice Teacher caused confusion and was unsettling Importance of communication to update Practice Teacher details and site profile.

Importance of timing and planning Importance of good support and team experience Importance of pre placement visit Importance of information for the student on the site

Impact for Student Confusion with contact numbers to organise preplacement visit. Onsite Practice Teacher and onsite Facilitator for same PLO which caused confusion. Preplacement visit resolved all confusion Minimal impact as all change occurred before my placement commenced Expected by Team and induction programme in place

Managerial Change During Placement

Impact for Practice Teaching Candidate February 2017 Team notified that Manager was imminently transferring to another post New Team Leader on sick leave and Senior Practitioner to act up with no replacement Unsettling period with another team change for team and their response to same.

Unsettling for me with new Line Manager and new style of management Different management approach contributing to discussions in the context of professional judgement.

Impact for Practice Teaching Candidate Joint meeting with Acting Team Manager to address issues cancelled delaying my ability to address situation Student thus unsure who to approach for direction. Different styles of management and decision making processes Competing demands of being NIPTTP candidate alongside demanding pressures of the post. Coping with the change myself.

Impact for Student Lack of clarity in roles Unsettlement in the Team Different styles of management and decision making in cases held by the student Exposure of student same to same

What Worked Well Student was confident in raising her concerns during supervision. Meeting with Acting Team Manager to address issues resulted in supervision sessions and clear role setting. Support and guidance from Practice Assessor in relation to the PT role during change and impact on student. Competent level 3 student who coped well with change.

Learning Acceptance that change is realistic during a PLO. Support systems in place but need to ascertain what the student felt her support needs were Importance of documenting student needs and any adjustments required to sustain the PLO standards and ensure accountability Using own supports to manage competing needs of own feelings of change whilst supporting student through change

Recognising exposure to dilemmas in the context of professional judgement can be valuable learning for the student involved. Importance of supporting the student with clear lines of supervision and accountability

Impact for Student Had built up a good relationship with onsite/line manger who was transferring. Found out about change at same time as the rest of the team including my Practice Teacher directly before my first direct observation Acting Team Leader very busy as replacement was on sick leave Change happened well into my placement

What Worked Well Able to remain in the placement Same Practice Teacher and the same team Experienced and supportive team Able to clarify roles very quickly Good lines of communication and support system in place Was very much part of the Team in dealing with the change and felt included and valued.

What Have I Learnt Realistic view of change within Social Work teams. How to cope in a changing environment The importance of a very supportive team Importance of raising issues How to prioritise risk The debates and discussions around prioritising risk

Practice Learning Co Ordinator What Worked Well Competent Level 3 student Student embraced the change Pro active Practice Teacher/Candidate Experienced team very supportive of student Placement site, Team and Practice Teacher remained a constant variable

Learning Change affected by numerous competing drivers Imminent change minimised ability provide support and to plan for change. Focus on ensuring supports were in place for student and in maintaining the placement for the duration. Competing roles of Practice Assessor and Practice Learning Co Ordinator

Overall Summary Practice Learning is part of the wider system Cannot control change or how or when it happens Change can be managed Reinforced capability of staff and team to manage change Competing needs in managing change Change is not something to protect students from Consideration as to change as a key learning requirement

Questions?