Social Work Teaching Partnerships evaluation
We were commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to undertake an evaluation into the effectiveness of the Social Work Teaching Partnership programme.
The partnerships were funded by DfE and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to transform the quality of education and experience received by social work students and practitioners.
The programme funded 23 partnerships aiming to formalise collaborative working between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and service providers (Local Authorities (LAs), National Health Service (NHS), voluntary and private sector services (PVI)) to raise the quality of social work.
The evaluation explored three main areas: key activity delivered by TPs; approaches to delivery; outcomes and impact. In addition, the evaluation captured learning about the experience of TPs and explored sustainability.
The evaluation is predominantly a process evaluation and is largely based on qualitative methods. The evaluation was undertaken in two phases. The main phase (January to March 2019) comprised of an in depth document review and management information (MI) analysis alongside an initial document review and stakeholder research.
The second phase (October 2019 to February 2020) comprised a range of qualitative research including a document review of case studies and research with stakeholders.
- Evaluation findings considered:
- Membership and governance
- Entry standards
- Practice Placements
- Curriculum
- Academic and practitioner collaboration
- Workforce planning and continuing professional development
See the final report here.