Prepared enough to practise? Evaluating a study programme in social work

Summary: Following the so-called Bologna reform in Luxembourg, 70 supervisors
assessed the knowledge and skills of employees having qualified with a Bachelor’s
degree under the recently introduced curriculum in social work and pedagogy. The
supervisors were solicited as part of quality assurance regarding the study programme
and their assessments were gathered by means of a questionnaire. The University of
Luxembourg funded the study.
Findings: The newly qualified practitioners were evaluated as adequately trained, while
the need was highlighted for a better understanding of the process through which
beginner practitioners are socialised into the profession. The results furthermore suggest
that practice proficiency extensively draws on generic skills of particular relevance
to the social professions.
Applications: The findings prompt a more specific focus on generic skills and their role
in developing proficiency during practice placements as well as during the first year of
employment. Overall, the study serves as one example of how to evaluate the readiness
to practise of newly qualified practitioners in the social professions. The output of such
skills assessments could inform on any need for curriculum revision at a local level. With
a cross-national and comparative approach, evaluations of this kind could potentially
guide any adaptations needed in response to the increasing internationalisation of social
problems.
Keywords
Social work, competence, evaluation, fitness to practise, quantitative research, social
work education, social work skills