1. Enabling Resilience in Practice Learning in Northern Ireland A systemic approach to practice learning in the Non-governmental sector.
Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.
Henry Ford

2. Extern’s vision is that everyone can make a positive contribution to society Extern's mission is to improve lives and make communities safer
Established in Northern Ireland in 1978
Established in Republic of Ireland in 2004
18,000 people supported in 17/18
520 staff
Leading provider of placements for social work students in NI in voluntary sector
Turnover: £17m

3. People we support: People who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
Vulnerable children, young people and their families
People who are living with an addiction
People who are refugees
People from the Traveller community
People who are resettling in the community after a period in prison
Our services demonstrate we believe in:
An inclusive and fair society;
Keeping children and their families together;
Reducing offending and the impact of offending on victims and the community;
Helping people to have somewhere to live;
Helping people to be better equipped to live and contribute to their community.

4. Extern’s Practice Development Team “The Learning Hub”
3 social work staff members.
Professional associates.
Designated Practice Learning Provider.
10 Associated Practice Learning Providers.
Develops 6plus new placement sites per year.
Co-ordinates and average of 120 practice learning placements per year in the voluntary sector.
40 placements per year in Extern and associates.
Placements in family and childcare, mental health, education, community development, homelessness, justice.
8-10 International social work placements per year.
7 new Practice Teachers (PGDip) trained per year.
40 to 50 post qualifying social work submissions per year.
Extern Practice Development Team
Extern Learning and Development Service
Extern DPLP
Network of APLPs
Practice Learning Centre / Student Unit
Voluntary Organisations' Communication and Learning Service
Voluntary Sector Post Qualifying Social Work Initiative
Vbook
25 years in social work education

5. NI Social Work Professional Development Process
Teaching
Prep for practice
85 day practice learning
2 practice learning based essays
100 day practice learning
Degree in Social Work 2/3 years
Practice Development Days
Assessed Year in Employment
Post qualifying social work / Professional in Practice Framework

6. NI Social Work Degree Partnership
Health and Social Care Trust x 5
Universities/FE x 2
Voluntary sector
20 Designated Practice Learning Providers s + Associate Providers
Probation Board NI
Youth Justice Agency
Education Authority NI

7. Service User The Practice Learning Ecosystem Regulator - NISCC
Social Work Degree Partnership and PiP Partnership
Voluntary Sector PL Network
Extern Practice Development Team
Student Unit
Practice Teacher
Student
Service User
The Practice Learning Ecosystem

8. Regional Allocation Extern DPLP site Non N.I. Extern P.D.T. APLP site
Coordination
Representation
Induction
Trouble shooting
Practice Teachers
Evaluation
Student support
Brokering opps.
Training
Funding
Standardisation
Consultancy
Governance
Teaching
Site development
Policy dev.
Assessment
PT Support

9. A resilient ecology for practice learning
Key PDT principles of;
High expectations and high support
Efficient, effective networks and mutually beneficial collaborations.
Hope, optimism, self-belief and a sense of purpose.
Critical reflection and continuous learning.
A problem-solving approach.
Taking responsibility.
Resilience…..
Sense of purpose
Critical analysis
Support networks
Problem solving
Interdependence

10. Support & Accountability adapted from Cornell University TCI Post Crisis Response Training
High accountability / Low support
High Support / High Accountability
Low Support / Low accountability
High Support / Low accountability
Strong processes
Committed and capable people

11. Ascendency Alienation Ascendency Apathy Anarchy Strong processes
Committed and capable people

12. Key concepts in resilience:
Strong social support networks
The presence of at least one unconditionally supportive person
A committed mentor or other person
Positive experiences
A sense mastery and a belief that one’s own efforts can make a difference
Participation in a range of activities that promote self-esteem
The capacity to re-frame adversities so that the beneficial as well as the damaging effects are recognised
The ability – or opportunity – to “make a difference” by helping others
Not to be excessively sheltered from challenging situations which provide opportunities to develop coping skills

13. Some actions to support ascendency and resilience
Relationships matter. Personal, local and strategic.
Good governance.
Kiazen - continuous improvement, step by step, little by little, always learning.
Creativity and speed of response.
Ongoing placement development and refresh. Building stock and options for students. Involving employers in the practice learning network.
Diversity – placements, practice teachers, on-site supervisors
Standardisation of placements and practice teachers.
Not for profit, investment and adding value.
Student induction, supervision, training and support.
Student evaluation (induction, mid, end)
Student advocate.
Student, practice teacher and on-site support and training.

14. Some actions to support ascendency and resilience
Succession and professional development, e.g. on-sites.
Quid pro quo – mutuality (e.g. coaching, consultancy, information, validation and membership, income, routes to training and development )
Brokering / matchmaking relationships, opportunities, resources, information, etc.
A “no problem”, constructive response and approach.
Profile - A respected voluntary sector voice, representation and advocacy.
Challenging stereotypes of the non governmental sector.
Influencing policy and regulation.
Enabling social workers fit for our employers.
Ongoing professional development and employment pathways for employees.
Extending and evolving the system and network

15. Professionalism
Mission and purpose
Meets a need
Passion, enthusiasm
Effectiveness
Rewarding
Impact

16. Discussion Thank you gillian.mcauley@extern.org