MSW candidates must demonstrate during the first part of the DipSW programme their ability to undertake the dissertation. Practice placements All DipSW students undertake two assessed practice placements, which are usually within 50 miles of Bristol. These placements take place in a wide range of statutory and voluntary agency settings, both in urban and rural areas. A national shortage of practice placements means that choice of placement is very limited. Currently assessment is continuous and some of the assessment tasks are closely related to work undertaken by practising social workers.
Students play an important part in evaluating their own learning and that of others.
Assessment outcomes are moderated by external examiners. The programme partnership which plans and manages this course is committed to ensuring that future users of the personal social services have competent workers who, in their practice, uphold the dignity of individuals and establish where possible a shared approach to problem-solving with users. Qualifying students should understand the structural and personal factors which lead to oppression and discrimination and be able to work within an anti-oppressive framework. They should develop skills as reflective professional workers, be able to evaluate their own work and that of others and be able to contribute to the development of policy and practice.