4th Edition

Practice Education in Social Work Achieving Professional Standards

By Paula Beesley, Sue Taplin Copyright 2026
210 Pages 16 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

210 Pages 16 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This fourth edition is an invaluable guide for social workers undertaking learning and assessment to gain and maintain Stage 1 or 2 qualified practice educator status. All chapters have been refreshed to reflect the developing world of practice education, and the importance of the on-site supervisor/off-site practice educator has been emphasised throughout. Key areas within practice education... Read more

1. Introduction 2. Preparation and Planning 3. Enabling Learning 4. Critical Reflection and Values 5. Supervision 6. Supervision Models 7. Assessment 8. Assessment in the Social Work Placement 9. Dealing with Placement Challenges 10.Practice Educator Professional Standards for Social Work

Biography

Paula Beesley is a registered social worker with a background in working within children services, particularly with parents with a learning disability. She is a qualified practice educator and has supported numerous students, both in her role in local authority teams and as an independent off-site practice educator (OSPE). She now works at Leeds Beckett University as a senior lecturer in social work, specialising in skill development and placement preparation and support. Her research focus is in enhancing social work education experiences, particularly placements.  

Sue Taplin is a registered Social Worker with over 20 years’ experience as a social work researcher and university lecturer. Prior to embarking on an academic career, Sue practised in the voluntary sector as a palliative care social worker and practice educator. She currently works at the University of Winchester, where she brings her passion for practice and interprofessional learning and teaching to the undergraduate and postgraduate social work programmes and to learners on the Social Work Degree Apprenticeship. Sue is the editor of Innovations in Practice Learning, published by Critical Publishing in 2018.