Professional Practice Development (PPD) III: Year 3 Placement C

Code

PSGY5013

School

Psychology

Level

5

Credits

80

Semesters

Full Year UK

Summary

The module considers the professional practice development of Year 3 trainee educational psychologists in applied work placement settings. It seeks to enhance and consolidate Year 3 trainee professional practice skills and competencies developed in years 1 and 2 of training, such that trainees can demonstrate the HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Practitioner Educational Psychologists on completion of the programme.

The module considers the development of professional practice skills and competence linked to all year  1, 2 & 3 modules. Trainees also complete placement tasks, research activity and casework specifically linked to the other Year 3 modules. The learning outcomes are monitored and evaluated through a Professional Development Record submitted as part of the placement.

Trainees are required to complete 130 days of professional practice experience in Year 3 in line with the British Psychological Society expectations for those undertaking professional training. The module typically involves three days a week work placement in a suitable educational psychology workplace setting across the year.  Trainee placement activity is overseen and supervised by an HCPC registered educational psychologist. The placement takes place across Autumn, Spring and Summer Terms.

Target Students

Postgraduate research students enrolled on Doctorate of Applied Educational Psychology (Professional Training).Students enrolled on Doctorate of Applied Educational Psychology (Professional Training) Programme and have successfully completed Year 2 of training. A degree in Psychology that confers eligibility for Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBCM) with the British Psychological Society.

Classes

Placement: 130 days over 44 weeks Tutorial: Min 3 per year meetings with placement supervisor and tutor Students undertake a professional placement activity supervised by an HCPC registered practitioner educational psychologist. During the placement they will undertake placement tasks, casework and activities typical of an educational psychology service. Placement task activities will be linked to all taught module and guided by and cross referenced to the required HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Practitioner Educational Psychologist and BPS competencies for Chartered Educational Psychologists. Students will receive supervision at the BPS defined minimum rate of 30 mins per day (7.5hr) of placement. The activities undertaken will include visits, observation, consultation assessment, report writing, recording keeping, training and project research work. Termly 3-way meeting will be provided to support the trainee on placement and provide opportunity to formatively reflect on professional practice development. Additional ad-hoc supervision is provided to support trainees on placement and provide opportunity to formatively reflect on professional practice development. Training is also provided on the use of professional supervision for trainees and supervisors.

Assessment

• 100% Project: Assessment is by summative evaluation of a placement portfolio of professional practice submitted for examination at the end of the Summer Term of approximately 10,000-12,000 words.The portfolio is composed of presentation of a range of casework as well as placement tasks linked to Year 3 taught module of Strategic and Organisational Applied Psychology (SOAP). This provides opportunity for students to apply module learning and demonstrate the development of professional practice skills across key domains. The portfolio also includes an evaluation of trainee professional practice skills against the Programmes Professional Practice learning outcomes and Professional Practice Requirements Criteria, and the associated HCPC Standards of Proficiency and BPS Competencies for Practitioner Educational Psychologists.

Assessed by end of designated period

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

The module seeks to support trainees to further develop and demonstrate their:

A Knowledge & Understanding

1.    All learning outcomes listed within the Professional Development Record cross referenced and linked to HCPC SOPs for Practitioner Educational Psychologists and BPS Competencies for Chartered Educational Psychologists.

B Professional Practice Skills

1.    Formulate a course of action grounded on a sound theoretical and evidence base.
2.    Access information from HCPC standards and BPS codes of conduct, performance and ethics to guide professional practice decisions and actions.
3.    Maintain a personal and professional critical self-awareness in relation to professional practice issues as a trainee educational psychologist .
4.    Maintain sensitivity to issues of equality and bias in relation to children and young people, parents and carers and adults working in schools, local authority and other settings. 
5.    Select appropriate forms of consultation, assessment and intervention that are effective and feasible within the context of problem presentation.
6.    Design and execute an appropriate evaluation strategy for an implemented course of action.
7.    Deploy sensitive and reflective communication skills to support consultative approaches, group facilitation and organisational development activity. 
8.    Develop strategies for the effective management of time, the diary and work-related stress.
9.    Engage in consultation, assessment and intervention planning with teachers, pupils, parents, other professionals and service users.
10.    Provide written accounts of professional consultations, assessments and intervention planning for a range of recipients.
11.    Undertake a balanced and objective evaluation of educational and/or social policy initiatives .
12.    Compare and contrast professional practice across a range of settings.

Conveners

• Russell Hounslow