PCC has for many years now been working with three or four universities. To do this, we take students working towards their degree in Social Work for 70 days if they are a first-year student, or 100 days if they are a final third year or M.A. student.
We have four practice educators on staff who work alongside the university tutors to bring the student towards their final degree. The practice educators work with them towards their degree; each practice educator is also a qualified social worker. The student works with our social workers and staff, gaining valuable job experience. We have up to six students at a time, and to date, some seventy students have been part of the PCC social work experience on the way to their degree. Some work in our Supported Housing department and some work in our Foster Care department. All good social work experience.
Apprenticeship training for Social Work
Also, PCC has recently signed up to become an apprenticeship provider for those wanting to become a social worker and take their degree using PCC as their placement over the three years it takes to get the degree. We are working on this in co-operation with The Open University.
NUMBERS
Between 2002 – 2020 PCC had 297 young people placed into our semi-independent accommodation & 166 children and young people placed into our foster care.
To date, some seventy students working towards their degree have been placed with PCC.