Social Work Education & Practice Placement in Cyprus

1. INTERCOLLEGE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMME Social Work Education & Practice Placement in Cyprus Dr. C. Panayiotopoulos Mrs. D. Cochliou panagiotopoulos.c@unic.ac.cy cochliou.d@unic.ac.cy

2. Outline • Current situation • Some problems • Implications • SW Placement Levels • Social care organisations used for SW placement • Student Supervision • Practice Supervisor’s Role • Suggestions for improvement

3. Current Situation • Social Work Education & Training • Education was provided till 2001 solely from SW Departments in Greece • Since 2001 a new SW programme was developed which was covering educational needs in Cyprus for social workers • In 2005 a second programme is established, offered in two languages

4. Current Situation • All programmes are based on the educational programme offered in Greece however • Social Work Education in Cyprus is offered only by private tertiary Educational Institutions

5. Some Problems • Teaching staff was not full based in Cyprus so there were gaps in the educational provision • Practitioners who hold a Masters are not being used in teaching due to the official guidelines… • Supervision was mainly provided by other professionals due to the lack of social workers who work in NGO’s • This is an issue that needs attention as there is a law in force (since 2005) who allows only Social Workers with a undergraduate degree in SW to register as a Social Worker

6. Implications • Students were receiving inadequate supervision in their practice placement • There is not an official body that supervises student’s field work so there are many examples of bad practice • A potential danger of having future professionals who have received inadequate training as far as their practicum concerns

7. Implications • Current social workers in non-governmental organisations have no previous experience in supervision (either to provide or receive) • In Social Welfare Services supervision is scarce due to increased workload…

8. SW Placement Levels • 1οLevel = 4οSemester - 2 days per week • Understanding of key theoretical concepts which inform social work practice • Can produce a clear, concise & accurately presented written report • 2οLevel= 5οSemester - 3 days • Beginning ability to apply social work theories and methods • Demonstrates a beginning ability to analyse, evaluate & reflect on practice • 3οLevel = 6οSemester - 4 days • Ability to select, apply and sustain appropriate social work methods and demonstrate explicit use of same • Demonstrates an extended repertoire of skills integral to their practice

9. Social Care Organisations used for SW Placements • Students are placed only in organisations which employ a qualified SW • Examples: • Social Welfare Services • CYTA • Home for Mentally Retard Persons • Home for Elder People • The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics • KENTHEA • Local Authorities

10. Student Supervision • Students should have weekly protected supervision of 1½ hours with their practice supervisor • Supplemented by ongoing supervision as required with the university supervisor • Supervision is viewed as a shared responsibility between the student & practice supervisor

11. Practice Supervisor’s Role • To help the student make links between theory to practice • To facilitate an understanding of the practice context & to consider how this knowledge impacts on their work with service users & carers • Help the student in supervision to revise relevant theory & link it to their practice & the placement setting. Make suggestions as to relevant reading material

12. Practice Supervisor’s Role • Delegate tasks, read & feedback on any work requested to achieve the learning standards • Give continuous feedback to the student on their progress & encourage reflection & analysis of their practice • Work closely with the University supervisor in identifying the learning needs of the student, assessing & monitoring

13. The truth behind the scenes… • The support provided by practice supervisors is variable • Usually are too busy to perform their role & complete all the tasks • Lack of training on supervision • Their workload is overwhelming because their agencies are usually running with less personnel • There is not an established supervision system for professionals • As a result students do not receive professional supervision

14. Suggestions for improvement • Develop training sessions to educated social work practitioners how to provide supervision to students • Develop an agency policy model on supervision for Cypriot social services • Establish links of collaboration & networking with universities abroad for practice placement • Support the local association of social workers to re-establish social worker’s role in the Cypriot welfare system

15. Thank you!!!

16. INTERCOLLEGE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMME Social Work Education & Practice Placement in Cyprus Dr. C. Panayiotopoulos Mrs. D. Cochliou panagiotopoulos.c@unic.ac.cy cochliou.d@unic.ac. cy