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Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences
Version 1
Date 02/09/2015
Module Handbook
Module Name: Social Work Practice 3
Module Code: UZVRBT-40-3
Module Leader Name: Adrian Vatcher
2015/16
Version 5.1 26/06/13
Aim of the Handbook
This handbook should tell you most of what you need to know about the module but do ask for help if you need it. You should also read the Programme Handbook (available in the programme site on Blackboard) and student information on the UWE website at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students. It is particularly important that you are aware of the university assessment regulations. Detailed advice on these is available at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice.aspx.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are familiar with these and know how to hand in work and get your results.
The handbook is a guide primarily for students enrolled on the module, but also for the practice supervisors, educators and tutors who work with you in the course of the placement. The information in the handbook can also be found in a number of other electronic or paper sources and the document provides links to the definitive data sources wherever possible.
Please note that the electronic version of the handbook made available on Blackboard will be kept up to date. Students will be notified of any significant changes. Paper copies will be distributed to practice supervisors, educators and tutors. Students should remember to refer back to the electronic version to ensure that you are working with the most up to date information.
Contents1. Module team contact information..........................................................................3
2. Module enhancement...........................................................................................4
3. Module specific information..................................................................................4
4. Practice Learning timetable…………………………………………………………...7
5. Assessment..........................................................................................................9
6. Submission.........................................................................................................14
7. Reading strategies..............................................................................................17
8. Communication...................................................................................................18
9. Advice and support.............................................................................................18
Appendix 1: Maintaining Confidentiality……………..…………….………………….....20
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1. Module team contact information
Module Leader: TEL E-MAIL
Adrian Vatcher 0117 32 88842 [email protected]
Practice Tutors:
Tillie Curran 0117 32 88759 [email protected]
Gill Ince 0117 32 88766 [email protected]
Celia Keeping 0117 32 88584 [email protected]
Sarah Leigh 0117 32 88757 [email protected]
Adrian Vatcher 0117 32 88842 [email protected]
Sue Walton To be advised [email protected]
Placements Co-ordinator - Social Work:Sarah Davies 0117 32 88943 [email protected]
Sarah is responsible for linking students with practice learning opportunities and co-ordinating systems relating to the management of placements. Please contact her for any queries relating to these areas.
Social Work Placements Administrator:Kathy McPherson 0117 32 88793 [email protected]
Please contact Kathy for basic information relating to placements and placement offers. Kathy will send out paper copies of the module handbook and assessment guidelines to practice supervisors, educators and tutors. She can provide additional copies on request. Kathy will also assist with queries relating to the payment of practice learning fees.
External examinerExternal examiners from other institutions are appointed to each module to act independently and work with the module team in the management of threshold academic standards. The external examiner appointed to this module can be found at http://www2.uwe.ac.uk/services/Marketing/about-us/cas/Extnl_Exam_Allocation_to_Mods.pdf
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2. Module enhancementThis is the last run of the module and no specific changes have been made.
Practice documentationPractice supervisors and educators will find electronic copies of supporting documentation for the placements on our practice support net at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/practicesupportnet/guidancebyprogramme Please follow the links to Social Work and Social Work Practice 3.
3. Module specific information
The formal document providing the academic framework for this module can be found at http://info.uwe.ac.uk/modules/displayentry.asp?code=UZVRBT-40-3&rp=listEntry.asp
This module is centred on your completion of 85 days of learning in a practice setting. Most students will complete the placement by attending for four days in each week. Further details of the practice learning timetable are given on page 8.
The practice learning team
As at Level 2, each student will work with a practice educator linked to the placement who will help you think about and develop your practice, and to develop evidence of your practice. If the educator is not themselves based in your placement agency (is ‘off-site’) you will also be linked with an on-site practice supervisor. They should be your first point of reference for any query concerning the operation of the agency and your role as a student within it.
You will also be supported by a practice tutor from the university who will either be your academic tutor or an associate lecturer. As far as possible we will ensure that this is the same person who was your practice tutor at Level 2. You, your practice educator and your practice tutor comprise a practice learning team. Assessment of your practice learning is conducted jointly by all members of the team.
Your practice tutor should be the first point of reference for any query about your participation in the module (rather than your role within the agency). If they are unavailable then please direct queries to Adrian Vatcher as the module leader.
Work-based learning days
As well as a practice placement, the module provides three work-based learning days which will give you opportunities to focus on specific practice skills, to share experiences and consolidate learning. You will be encouraged to bring examples of practice to tutor groups.
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Student support
Academic tutors who are not practice tutors will also be available on work-based learning days, and will continue to be your first point of reference for issues concerning your participation in the wider programme.
If you have an impairment, or consider yourself disabled, you may already have agreed an access plan for placements. An access plan sets out arrangements needed to ensure you have equal access to your practice learning opportunity. If a plan has not already been agreed with you, or if think it should be changed, you should discuss this with your academic tutor or a student adviser well in advance of the placement. Students should let their practice tutor know as soon as possible if their access needs change during the course of the placement with a view to reviewing and revising the action plan. Further advice on disability services at UWE is available at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/disabilityservices.aspx
The programme is aware that students in specific groups including students who are carers, black, disabled, gay or lesbian, may experience discrimination or oppression both in the University and in the practice setting. In some practice agencies there are groups where staff can take their concerns about these matters and students may seek to take part in these. The programme is concerned to ensure that all students have positive learning opportunities, within the framework of the university’s equality strategy and its legal obligations. If students become concerned that they are not being treated fairly in their practice settings, they should discuss this with their practice or academic tutor, or the module leader – whoever they feel most confident in – and they will explore ways to address this.
Blackboard
The module is supported by Blackboard. A selection of materials will be available on the module site as well as links to websites and databases. However, you are expected to search independently for up to date information using web sites, books and journal articles through the library.
Students’ Health and Safety while on Placement
This is a particular concern of the Faculty. Specific consideration should be given to this issue in drawing up the initial practice learning agreement and in arranging induction. You should be advised about:
- the agency’s general health and safety policy- how this applies in the particular setting in which you are placed; and of- your own and others’ responsibilities.
In particular you should know what assessment of risk in the practice learning setting has been carried out, and what you should do if you have reason to believe that an aspect of the work carries particular risk.
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Please note that the university does not offer students manual handling training and so you should not be asked to undertake any manual handling tasks (which involved the lifting of any heavy or awkward loads, and including physically assisting people to move) unless the agency provides the appropriate training and it has been agreed with your practice tutor and the module leader.
The practice learning team is asked to advise the module leader of any injury or accident to the student that occurs during the period of practice learning – including any that the agency would formally record and certainly any that is required to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR).
Managing Difficulties in Practice Learning
If there are difficulties on placement that leads someone to think that the placement cannot or should not continue, the student’s practice tutor or the module leader should be contacted as soon as possible. Guidance which sets out the sorts of difficulties that can occur, the processes for dealing with them and the implications for assessment can be found on p17 of the Practice Learning and Assessment Guidelines.
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4. Practice Learning Timetable
Start and finish dates
The placement will normally begin on Monday 14 September 2015 and end on Friday 26 February 2016.
Students for whom part-time placements are arranged will have placement dates agreed individually with the placement, the practice tutor and the module leader.
Bank holidays and leave days
Three bank holidays occur in the placement period, and students are entitled to take a further eight days’ leave. Leave days and bank holidays do not count as practice learning days, and the dates shown above take account of this.
Work-based learning days
Three work-based learning days are included within the 85 days of practice learning. They will take place on Friday, 18 September; Friday 30 October; and Friday, 8 January.
Pattern of attendance and the fifth day
Students are normally expected to attend the practice learning setting for four days each week.
Normally you are expected to work hours that are typical in your placement agency and in any case not less than 7 and not more than 7.5 hours per day. Compensation arrangements for days longer than this should be noted on the placement calendar which will be given to you. Any expectation of work at evenings or weekends should be agreed before the start of the placement and identified in the practice learning agreement.
All students are required to undertake at least 200 days of practice learning in order to qualify. It is in relation to a working day of between 7 and 7.5 hours that this requirement is calculated. The programme may be required to provide evidence to regulatory bodies that students complete the required number of days and so students should complete the placement calendar clearly indicating how the required number of practice learning days has been achieved, and practice educators should confirm its accuracy by signing it.
The fifth day in each week is left free for you to pursue study – for this or other modules you may be enrolled on. You should agree with your supervisor and practice educator which day will be your day away from practice. Agencies may find it helpful for this to be the same day each week. However, this will not always be possible especially if you are expected to attend for teaching on other modules.
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Please note that the fifth day (including teaching for the modules just mentioned) does not count in any way towards the 85 days of practice learning. These days should be recorded on your Practice Learning Chart as ‘fifth day’ with an ‘X’ in the record column.
Workload and study time
Your workload should be planned to take account of the fact that you are a student, and that your learning about practice will be enhanced by having time to prepare for and reflect on practice, as well as practice. You should therefore have reasonable time to research issues relevant to the practice you undertake and to prepare evidence for the portfolio. It may be appropriate in some circumstances for students to complete this work away from the placement, for example where there is no quiet space available. However, this should be clearly agreed with the practice educator in advance and should generally not be more than half a day each week. There is no automatic entitlement to regular study leave.
Practice Learning Agreement
This should be drafted with your practice educator at the start of the placement and a draft copy sent to your tutor for comment within three weeks of the placement start. You should refer to your level 2 portfolio when completing this to build on the strengths identified on your previous placement and ensure that any learning needs identified at the final meeting are included in your level 3 learning agreement.
Delayed and interrupted placements
If a student has started their placement late, or for any reason has interrupted their placement, then the tutor and student will need to discuss the situation and work with the module leader to adjust any of the above dates (including submission dates) to ensure equity of treatment. A note of revised dates will be formally recorded and circulated to the practice learning team and other relevant personnel by the module leader.
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5. Assessment
There are two components of assessment for this module.
Component A: Portfolio of practice based work
Component B: Progress file of Personal and Professional Development – 3000 word assignment.
To pass this module you must complete both components.
COMPONENT A: PORTFOLIO OF PRACTICE BASED WORK
You must submit a Portfolio of Practice Learning. The purpose of the portfolio is to help you develop and demonstrate safe and effective practice, and to reflect on your learning, through a collection of evidence which illustrates it. To complete the practice component of this module successfully you must show both in your practice and in the portfolio that you are competent in required units of the National Occupational Standards. When you are in the practice learning setting you will have many opportunities to provide evidence to help you achieve what you need to.
The assessment of your practice skills is a continuous process and you will work together with your practice educator and tutor as part of a practice learning team. You should build on the portfolio which you compiled for Social Work Practice 2 and refer to this when drawing up your practice learning agreement with your Practice Educator.
There will be an interim assessment point halfway through the placement and a final evaluation meeting at the end. Detailed guidelines for this component of assessment, marking criteria and the assessment process are provided in the Practice Learning Assessment Guidelines and Resources Handbook.
Students were issued with a paper copy of these documents in their last placement and were asked to keep them for use in this placement. Paper copies will be issued to practice supervisors and educators. All documents, including copies of specific forms for the portfolio are available at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/practicesupportnet/guidancebyprogramme
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COMPONENT B: PROGRESS FILE OF PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The assignment is for this module is a 3000 word critical analysis of how your understanding and use of power and authority has developed over the course of the placement. To do this you will need to:
Draw on an example of work you have been involved with on your level 3 placement.
Apply relevant legislation, policy, theory and research to inform your analysis Consider how the organisational setting and service user and carer perspectives
have has influenced your practice. Discuss how your awareness of your own identity in relation to aspects such as
age, gender, ethnicity, class etc has influenced your understanding and practice. Discuss the ethical issues you encountered in developing your knowledge and
understanding of this aspect of the social work role. Consider how using your power and authority has had an impact on your
personal development.
Marking criteria
The assignment will be marked using the Departmental marking criteria.
You are expected to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant theory, law, policy and approaches to practice. You also need to show how your practice has been informed by relevant research.
You should show how you have worked within the HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students, applying principles of anti-oppressive practice and awareness of service user and carer perspectives. You should discuss how you have managed the tensions, ethical dilemmas and value conflicts that arise in practice.
You should show that you can critically analyse and apply relevant experience, literature, theory and research to inform your practice. You should show that you are able to critically reflect on and evaluate your personal and professional development.
The assignment must be structured and presented logically and coherently, demonstrating your ability to identify your sources of information. All sources, including policy documents and legislation, must be correctly referenced and noted in the reference list.
Please note that it is the marks for this assignment (and not for the portfolio) which will contribute to your final degree classification. As this is a 40 credit module this means that it contributes significantly to that classification.
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Format
Your assignment should be word processed in 1.5 or double line spacing, using 12 point size font.
Please put your student number on each page, but do not put your name on your assignment, other than on the top right hand corner of the submission front-sheet. Please number the pages of your work.
Referencing
You are expected to refer to literature that you have used to inform the discussion in your essay. You should cite the sources in the body of the essay, and include a final reference list. You should use the UWE Harvard Referencing system. A guide to referencing can be found at: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/referencing.aspx
Word count
You should provide a word count on the title page of your assignment. The word count includes everything in the main body of the text (including headings, tables, citations, quotes, lists, etc). Appendices and reference lists are not included.
You can submit work that is 10% over the limit without penalty but if your assignment is over 3,300 words the marker will stop reading once the word limit has been reached and nothing further will be taken into account in the allocation of marks. If your word count is found to be clearly inaccurate it may be treated as an assessment offence. Information about the university policy on word count is given at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/aboutus/policies
Confidentiality
The contents of this assignment should protect the confidentiality of service users and others in keeping with the Faculty advice set out in Appendix 1. Failure to do so may result in a mark penalty and action under the professional suitability policy.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism means using the work of others without acknowledging your source. This could be direct copying, paraphrasing without referencing the original source or collusion with a fellow student. It is also plagiarism to include work in your assignment that you have presented for a separate assessment. Please be aware that plagiarism will always be treated as an assessment offence even if it is done unintentionally. Advice on understanding plagiarism and how to avoid it is available at
http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/readingandwriting/plagiarism.aspx
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Reading drafts of component B
Your academic tutor (whether or not they are your practice tutor) may read passages of text or plans of work (amounting to no more than 20% of the word limit – in this case 600 words), in order to support student learning, but they will not normally read whole drafts of work. (“Draft” is taken to indicate a piece of work that is almost finished and has recognisable structure and content)
If you would like to arrange this you need to:
Plan if and when you are likely to want feedback and check that your tutor is likely to be available.
E-mail your tutor with the section or plan your want them to look at. This needs to be at least 2 weeks before the submission date.
Indicate anything your particularly want feedback on e.g. critical analysis, structure etc.
Tutors will give feedback with 7 working days. If you know your tutor will not be available contact the module leader.
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Further Guidance Component B – Progress file 3000 word assignment
What style of writing should I use and what should I say about myself?
You should write in the ‘first person’ so use ‘I’. You should also consider your own identity and how, for example, your own gender, age, ethnicity, status impacted on your relationships, in particular, with service users and carers.
Do I need to use references?
Yes, you must include references to theory or any research you undertook to inform your work. A reference list must be attached.
Will the person marking my assignment take into account what is in my portfolio?
NO! It is very important to remember that your assignment will be marked anonymously and by someone who is not familiar with your placement. Your tutor will not be the marker. The assignment needs to stand alone as this is how it will be marked.
Can I draw on other evidence in my portfolio?
If this is helpful yes, for example you might discuss how learning from a previous encounter informed some of your action but do focus on one piece of work. It may also be helpful to refer back to your anti-oppressive action plan when you are looking at the ethical dilemmas.
What support will I have?
Your tutor will be able to read and give feedback on a detailed plan or a section (up to 600 words). You can arrange a face to face or telephone tutorial with your tutor.
Can my practice assessor advise?
You will discuss the direct observation with your practice educator and can use the feedback you are given in the assignment to help you evaluate your practice. However, to ensure that students get similar levels of support practice educators are asked not to comment on drafts of the assignment. This is because tutors are fully briefed on the assignment requirements and are more familiar with marking arrangements.
Do I put the assignment in my portfolio?
You can include the assignment in the portfolio or use it to provide additional evidence of your ability to meet any of the key roles. But remember that if you do include this piece of work in your portfolio you must also submit it to UWE separately as advised in this handbook.
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6. Submission
COMPONENT A: PORTFOLIO
Interim Review Meeting
The date for this will be individually negotiated in each practice learning team. However, it is likely to take place between Monday 16 and Friday 27 November 2015.
Practice tutors will read portfolios before the interim meeting and will bring written feedback on the portfolio evidence to that meeting to help inform the discussion. Your practice tutor will arrange that you submit the portfolio either directly to them or to the Student Administration Team at 2B24 at Glenside for them to collect. Although there is no formal penalty for not submitting a portfolio in advance of the interim meeting, if you do not the meeting may have to be postponed so that your practice tutor can take part properly informed.
Practice educators will have seen evidence as it is being compiled but may also need to see the collection of material you include in the portfolio so please ensure you negotiate time for your practice educator to do this and to complete and sign any relevant forms, before you pass it to your practice tutor.
Final submission of portfolio
For students completing 85 days of practice learning, and who start their placement on time and whose placements have not been interrupted, final submission of the portfolio should be made by 2pm on Tuesday 23 February 2016 to the Student Administration Team in 2B24 at Glenside.
If you are not able to submit your portfolio in person, you may post it to the Student Administration Team, Room 2B24 Glenside Campus, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, BRISTOL BS16 1DD. If you do so the envelope must have a postmark showing the submission date and you should also have proof of postage showing that it was posted before 2:00 pm on 23 February.
Please note that the submission deadlines are absolute, therefore you are strongly advised to submit work well ahead of the deadline dates to avoid situations where penalties could be incurred. If penalties are imposed it will result in submissions which are submitted late being capped or not accepted for marking.
Delayed and interrupted placements and changes to submission dates
If your placement starts late, or for any reason is interrupted, then you will need to discuss the situation with your tutor and work with the module leader to adjust any of
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the above dates (including submission dates) to ensure equity of treatment. A note of revised dates will be formally recorded and circulated to the practice learning team and other relevant personnel by the module leader.
Final Evaluation meeting
Please note that, when submitted, the portfolio must be complete in all respects except for the notes of the discussion with your practice tutor at the final evaluation meeting. Students will not be permitted to add evidence for which they are responsible after submission.
The final evaluation meeting takes place after you have made the final submission of your portfolio. The date will be individually negotiated in each practice learning team, but will either be in the last week of your placement or in the two weeks following. Practice educators will have seen evidence as it is being compiled but will need to see the collection of material you include in the portfolio to complete and sign any relevant forms before it is finally submitted. Pease ensure you negotiate sufficient time for you practice educator to do this.
Practice tutors will read portfolios before the final evaluation meeting and will bring written feedback on the portfolio evidence to that meeting to help inform the decision.
The decision about component A, your practice and portfolio is made and recorded at the final practice learning team meeting.
Moderation and notification of results
Practice tutors will return all portfolios (including final evaluation forms) to the university after the final meetings and a sample will be read by members of the practice quality panel for moderation. In the light of moderation the Panel may ask the practice learning team to review the decision. This review may consist of a meeting with members of the panel to discuss any issues identified.
A sample of portfolios is sent to the external examiner. Results are then subject to confirmation by the Field and Award Board and a final mark will be released to students via the UWE portal in mid June 2016.
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COMPONENT B: PROGRESS FILE
Form of submission
The assignment should be submitted in paper copy either to the submission boxes in A Block at Glenside, or by post to the Student Administration Team, Room 2B24 Glenside Campus, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, BRISTOL BS16 1DD. In either case a coursework cover sheet available from myUWE should be attached to your work.
If you are submitting your coursework in the submission boxes please ensure that the work is secure and placed in a plastic wallet. If you are submitting by post the envelope must have a postmark showing the submission date and you should also have proof of postage showing that it was posted before 2:00 pm on the relevant date.
Submission date
For students who start their placement on time and whose placements have not been interrupted, final submission of the progress file should be made by 2pm on Tuesday 23 February 2016.
Please note that the submission deadlines are absolute, therefore you are strongly advised to submit work well ahead of the deadline dates to avoid situations where penalties could be incurred. If penalties are imposed it will result in submissions which are submitted late being capped or not accepted for marking.
Delayed and interrupted placements and changes to submission dates
If your placement starts late, or for any reason is interrupted, then you will need to discuss the situation with your tutor and work with the module leader to adjust the submission dates to ensure equity of treatment. A note of revised dates will be formally recorded and circulated to the practice learning team and other relevant personnel by the module leader.
Marks and feedback
Written feedback and a mark for this assignment, will be provided individually within four working weeks (excluding student vacation periods) following the deadline for submission. Where the period is longer than four working weeks students will be informed of the deadline for the provision of feedback and rationale for the extension. Outcomes which have not been confirmed by an examining board shall be considered as provisional.
Date for return of marks and feedbackFor assignments submitted on 23 February, feedback will be available for collection from Glenside reception on 23 March 2016.
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MyUWE is used to communicate provisional marks, provide cover sheets for assessments and to submit work.
7. Reading strategiesAs each practice learning situation is different you will need to talk with your practice educator about reading that is particularly useful for your practice learning in relation to the setting you are in. All the books that are on the list for Refining Skills for Knowledge and Practice and the chapters and articles that were provided are very relevant for this module too. In addition the reading lists provided in other module hand will be useful. However there are some books that you may like to buy:
Adams, R. Dominelli, L & Payne, M (eds) (2009) Social Work: Themes, Issues and Critical Debates (3rd edition) Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Adams, R. Dominelli, L & Payne, M (eds) (2009) Critical Practice In Social Work (2nd ed.) Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Adams, R. Dominelli, L. and Payne, M. (eds) (2009) Practising social work in a complex world (2nd ed.)Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan, 2009.
Banks, S. (2012) Ethics and Values in Social Work (4th edition) Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Beckett, C (2006) Essential Theory for Social Work Practice London, Sage
Braye, S. & Preston-Shoot, M. (2010) Practising Social Work Law (3rd ed.) Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Doel, M (2006) Using Groupwork London, Routledge
Jones, K. Cooper, B. and Ferguson, H. (2008) Best Practice in Social Work: Critical Perspectives Basingstoke: Palgrave
Lishman, J (ed) (2007) Handbook for Practice Leaning in Social Work and Social Care: Knowledge and Theory London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Lomax, R. Jones, K., Leigh, S. and Gay, C. (2010) Surviving your Social Work Placement Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Long, L. Roche, J. & Stringer, D (2010) The Law and Social Work: Contemporary Issues for Practice (2nd edition) Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan in association with Open University Press
Payne, M (2014) Modern Social Work Theory (4th ed), Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
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Seden, J (2005) Counselling Skills in Social Work Practice Buckingham, Open University Press
Thompson, N. (2011) Promoting Equality: Working with Diversity and Difference Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Thompson, N, (2010) Theorising Social Work Practice Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Trevithick, P. (2005) Social Work Skills: A Practice Handbook Buckingham, Open University Press
Wilson, K. Ruch, G. Lymbery, M. Cooper, A. (2011) Social Work: An introduction to contemporary practice (2nd edition) Harlow, Prentice Hall
It is also important to keep up to date with law and practice issues. The two journals that are most easily accessible are Community Care and Care and Health. Social Care on line is useful to find up to date research on specific topics include http://www.scie-socialcareonline.org.uk/search.asp
The British Journal of Social Work and the Journal of Social Work Education can be accessed on line through the UWE library catalogue.
8. CommunicationThroughout your time with us, you will receive regular communication from your module leaders, and also administrative staff, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you read everything that you are sent, and act upon it where appropriate.
The main communication channel used is the Blackboard for all the modules you are currently studying. Blackboard provides the main communication channel for module specific information and these too should be checked regularly for new content and announcements.
Please see http://info.uwe.ac.uk/myUWE/guidance/default.asp for further information on all aspects of your myUWE portal.
9. Advice and supportThere are a range of facilities and services available to go to for advice and support depending on what the issue is. Remember - asking for help at the earliest possible stage will help you in the long run. Your first point of call should always be your Academic Personal tutor, as they will be able to sign post you to the right services and will be able to deal with specific matters relating to teaching and learning. If you are not able to contact your Academic Personal tutor for any reason go to an Information Point, details of which can be found at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/informationpoints.aspx
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Student advisers are available and can also be contacted through the Information Points, see http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/studentadvisers.aspx for information on how they might be able to help.
However, you are more than welcome to talk to other members of UWE staff depending on who you feel most comfortable talking to.
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APPENDIX 1: MAINTAINING CONFIDENTIALITY IN THE FACULTY OF HEALTH & APPLIED SCIENCES
Professional and statutory regulatory bodies give clear statements in their codes of conduct on the importance of maintaining confidentiality (HCPC, 2010; HCPC, 2008; NMC, 2011; NMC, 2008;). UWE expects all students on programmes applicable to UWE’s Professional Suitability Policy and Procedure (PSP) to uphold the same standards in relation to maintaining confidentiality.
‘You should remove anything that could be used to identify a service user from confidential information which you use in your assessment.’
(HCPC, 2010, p9)
‘Make anonymous any information included in your coursework or assessments that may directly or indirectly identify people, staff, relatives, carers or clinical placement providers.’
(NMC, 2011, p12)
It is important that students undertaking an educational programme that will lead them to professional registration are aware of the codes that govern them as students and once qualified as registered practitioners. The Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences at UWE considers it vital that students are conscious of the importance of maintaining confidentiality in practice settings, in assessed work and on university sites. All students must recognise that they may be privy to confidential information and that any information or confidence must not be disclosed in the public domain, unless you are concerned someone may be at risk of harm (HCPC, 2010; HCPC, 2008; NMC, 2011; NMC, 2008;). It is important that students recognise that in any work submitted (assignments; projects; case studies; portfolios; presentations; examinations; reports) and in class based reflections that they must not directly identify any person or organisation.
*A breach of confidentiality is the inclusion of names, images or registration details e.g. hospital number within a student’s work (including appendices) that would allow an individual or area to be identified. This includes service users, carers, colleagues (including fellow students) and organisations.
Where UWE assessment documents require information such as; name of the placement organisation, name/signature(s) of UWE or external staff (e.g. supervisor, mentor, clinical/practice educator) this will be clearly identified in the relevant documents and guidance will be given in Module/Programme handbooks. This is not a breach of confidentiality.
Information included in these documents, beyond that specified as required, is likely to constitute a breach of confidentiality* (*as defined above).
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It is acknowledged that in some cases it may be possible to potentially identify individuals from a set of circumstances despite the removal of names etc .- intimate detail can make identification more likely.
To avoid a breach of confidentiality you should check and follow the advice given in your module and programme handbooks. Additionally:
Use pseudonyms (which should be identified as such) and generalised terms e.g. social worker, nurse, health centre, practice area, young man.
Avoid the inclusion of documentation, either original or photocopied, that might reveal the identity of an individual or organisation e.g., referral letters, medical imaging records, assessment records, prescription charts, unless these are anonymised. (Exceptions to this are documents or cases that are now in the public domain e.g. Baby ‘P’; Shipman enquiries).
Remove names on x ray films or other imaging records; use blank charts or pseudonyms on charts.
Where modules allow the use of images/videos, or significant amounts of detail about client issues e.g. in case studies, written consent must be gained in accordance with the procedure given in the module.
Guidance on referencing of confidential materials can be found at: C - UWE Bristol: Study skills
Frequently asked questions
Q Can I refer to trust or agency documentation?
A Only if it is in the public domain
Q I want to reflect on/share an experience from my placement in class. Can I do this?
A Yes you can discuss your placement experiences, confidentiality of area and client should be maintained. You will also need to adhere to the ground rules agreed at the beginning of the session, module or programme. Any breach to be dealt with by the facilitator as a learning point.
Q Can I print off discussion from online discussion boards such as Blackboard?
A Without the agreement of the group this would be a breach in the groups confidentiality, group name and individual names would need to be anonymised. Consult the module handbook for modules that use discussion groups on Blackboard.
Q How can I anonymise my work?
A Identifying headings and names should be physically or electronically removed. Simply blacking out information such as hospital number or name with a marker pen or tippex often allows the identifying feature to remain discernible.
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Q Can I use social networking sites?
A Social networking sites such as Facebook are in the public domain and can be useful for communicating and sharing information however you must ensure that breaches of confidentiality do not occur. Further guidance can be obtained through the HCPC; Focus on Standards and through the NMC; NMC guidance
UWE guidance on Using Social Media can be found on the Infopoint under ‘Guidance and Procedures’ and entitled Using Social Media.
The Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences considers all breaches of confidentiality to be serious. Where a breach of confidentiality is noted the following suggests what action may be appropriate:
First Occasion – isolated breach;Organisation/client/carer/UWE or external staff is identified in students work on no more than one occasion (or similar level of breach is noted).
Marker reports breach to Module Leader (ML) and Programme Manager (PM); breach is discussed. Potential outcomes;1. ML meets the student to discuss the breach.
The breach will be documented in student feedback and an account of the meeting held in the student file. Personal tutor should be informed.
No mark penalty.2. The breach is considered under PSP (level 1
unless previous PSP referrals indicate another level would be more appropriate). The breach will be documented and treated in accordance with PSP.
No mark penalty unless PSP is escalated beyond level 1.
First Occasion – multiple breachOrganisation/Individual is identified in students work on more than one occasion (or similar level of breach is noted).
Marker reports breach to ML and PM. PM considers the student/breach under PSP (level 1 unless previous PSP referrals indicate another level would be more appropriate). The breach will be documented and treated in accordance with PSP.Mark Penalty = Student receives a mark of zero
Second/Subsequent Occasion;Student has previously breached confidentiality.
Marker reports breach to ML and PM. PM considers the student/breach under PSP (level 2 unless previous PSP referrals indicate level 3 would be more appropriate). The breach will be documented and treated in accordance with PSP.Mark Penalty = Student receives a mark of zero
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Mark penalties; where maintaining confidentiality is a key aspect of an assessment this should be made clear to students in the assessment brief. Students should be made aware of the above table.
References:
Health and Care Professions Council (2010). Guidance on conduct and ethics for students. London
Health and Care Professions Council (2008). Standards of conduct, performance and ethics. London
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2012) Social Networking http://www.nmc-uk.org/Nurses-and-midwives/Regulation-in-practice/Regulation-in-Practice-Topics/Social-networking-sites/
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2011). Guidance on professional conduct. London
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2009). Guidance on professional conduct for Nursing and Midwifery students. London
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2008). The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. London
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